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Children (ages 1-9)

Therapists In Denver And Nearby Specializing In Children (ages 1-9)

Children and Mental Health (Ages 1-9)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health is an important part of overall health for everyone, including children. Many adults who have mental disorders could have shown symptoms during childhood and adolescence that may have gone unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

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A licensed therapist or counselor can help children and families understand what is going on to effectively address issues that arise and provide the necessary support. Early treatment can help prevent more serious issues from arising in the future. In fact, when some adults reflect back on their childhood during therapy sessions, they tend to remember symptoms of their then-undiagnosed disorders and how it affected them when they were younger.

 

Common Reasons and Signs to Take your Child to Counseling

Concerned parents may hear from others that warning signs are “just a stage” or that “the child will grow out of it,” but that is not always the case. There are many reasons parents choose to take their children to therapy. Some of these reasons look similar to those seen in adolescents and adults. Here are some of the more common reasons and signs that lead parents to begin child counseling:

  • Constantly bring up things they fear and worries they have
  • Change in sleep routine- sleeping too much or too little
  • Experiencing nightmares regularly
  • Struggling at school or academically declining
  • Change in appetite- eating too much or too little
  • Acting violently towards things, other individuals or animals
  • Obsessively repeating tasks in fear that something bad will happen if they are not completed
  • Thoughts or attempts of hurting themselves or suicide
  • Being extremely irritable and easy to anger
  • Complains of physical pain, although having a healthy medical report
  • Withdrawing from social activity or friends they used to enjoy spending time with

Types of Childhood Therapy

There are various types of therapy that a therapist may choose to move forward with, depending on the child. These offer individualized options to help treat and prevent issues that a child may be showing signs of.

  • Play therapy
    • In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the child by interpreting play behavior and communication. The therapist watches the child to better understand their emotional and mental health. Therapists use different types of child’s play to help the child figure out, express and manage their feelings.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
    • According to Everyday Health, this is a form of counseling where children are taught how their own thoughts can affect their mood and behavior. Children are shown how to identify these negative thoughts and patterns and replace them with positive ones.
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy
    • Psychodynamic psychotherapy may differ based on the child’s age. In this type of therapy, therapists listen to the child talk through their issues, with the theory in mind that once the struggles have been spoken out loud, the child’s behavior will improve. 
  • Behavior therapy
    • This type of therapy is similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy, but differs in that it focuses on modifying behaviors. This type of therapy helps children and their parents identify behaviors that need to be discouraged and encouraged to help create a change. According to Everyday Health, parents may be utilized to help alter the environmental factors that may contribute to these behaviors.

Arranging Child Counseling

A thorough evaluation with a licensed professional can help parents determine whether treatment is necessary and which treatment type may be most effective. An evaluation and therapy treatments can be good avenues to learning more about a child’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Young children can be successfully treated today through various methods, including therapy and counseling. The therapists displayed below specialize in treating young children, are credentialed with various insurance companies, and have varied availability to meet most client needs.

Katie Kelley
Katie Kelley , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Regis University. I provide psychotherapy...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 950 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80214

Kristin Foslid Headshot
Kristin Foslid , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and EMDR trained therapist. I obtained my Master’s degree in 2014. I have been in the field...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 1660 S. Albion Street, Denver, CO 80222

Jaime_Grainger_headshot
Jaime Grainger , LMFT

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

While this is about you and your therapeutic journey, I firmly believe that the most important part of therapy is the relationship between...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Marjorie Laird , CAS / LMFT / LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Seeing children over 8 years old.

I have been in private practice seeing children, teens, adults, couples, and families for over twenty years.  I am a Licensed Professional...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 950 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood , CO 80214

Therapist Susan Goodenberger's headshot indoor wearing a red top and black coat
Susan Goodenberger , LMFT

Offers sessions only online

- Average patient rating

Life can be challenging. For more than 20 years I have been providing therapy services helping kids, adults, and families through tough...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Kim Kelly
Kim Kelly , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

You might be here if you’re feeling disconnected from the truest parts of yourself-stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and burnt out by...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • 5460 Ward Rd., Arvada, CO 80002

Tina Cushman
Tina Cushman , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Prefers in-person sessions, specializes in children and teens.

Tina Cushman has extensive clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families in inpatient/residential,...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 7400 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112

Shari Lighthouse
Shari Lightfield , LPC

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Welcome! You are taking one of the hardest steps to improving your mental health, you have started the search for a counselor. I want...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Sue Crawford
Sue Crawford , LPC

Offers sessions only online

- Average patient rating

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and trauma specialist. I have worked with adults, children, teens and families in community, school...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Therapist Rachel Mahoney smiling while standing outdoors
Rachel Mahoney , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

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Rachel Mahoney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in working with children, adolescents and adults...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • 7955 East Arapahoe Court, Centennial , CO 80112

Karen Mikolic's professional headshot indoors wearing a tan top
Karen Mikolic , Ph.D.

Offers sessions only online

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Karen Mikolic, Ph.D. is a psychologist who is Board Certified in Neuropsychology and licensed in Colorado, Florida, and California. Dr....

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Lindy Steece Headshot indoors while wearing a pink top
Lindy Steece , LMHC / LPC

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

I am a believer in Dreams.  I believe Life is short and quality counts.  I am curious about your life:  how you handle situations,...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO