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.
Click to continue readingA 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.
Susan Goodenberger , LMFT
Offers sessions only online
- Average patient ratingLife 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
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Kim Kelly , LCSW
Offers sessions in-person and online
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
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5460 Ward Rd. Ste 310, Arvada, CO 80002
Tina Cushman , LPC
Offers sessions in-person and online
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
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7400 E ARAPAHOE RD SUITE 140, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112
Shari Lightfield , LPC
Offers sessions only online
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
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Sarah Zalkin , LCSW
Offers sessions only online
Seeing kids, teens, and adults under 40 years old.
Sarah Zalkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing in the social work field with adults, adolescents, children,...
Gender: Woman
Pronouns: She/Her
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Sue Crawford , LPC
Offers sessions only online
- Average patient ratingI 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
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Rachel Mahoney , LCSW
Offers sessions in-person and online
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
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7955 East Arapahoe Court, Suite 1425, Centennial , CO 80112
Karen Mikolic , Ph.D.
Offers sessions only online
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
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Lindy Steece , LMHC / LPC
Offers sessions only online
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
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Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO
Janet Borelli , LCSW
Offers sessions in-person and online
- Average patient ratingAre you under stress? Overwhelmed? Do you feel unable to move ahead in your life? would you like to feel more effective with your children...
Gender: Woman
Pronouns: She/Her
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1385 S. Colorado Blvd Suite 302A, Denver, CO 80222
Kellee Scannell , LMFT
Offers sessions in-person and online
Prefers in-person sessions, seeing children 3-8 years old.
I hold such a strong belief that authenticity supports connection and healing. I use an attachment approach when working with children...
Gender: Woman
Pronouns: Prefer not to Share
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8461 Turnpike Drive, Suite 208, Westminster, CO 80031
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2095 W. 6th Ave Suite 212, Broomfield, CO 80020
Lisa Elsey , LPC
Offers sessions in-person and online
Come step up your mental health with me. 25 years of experience working with children and families in many different capacities including:...
Gender: Woman
Pronouns: She/Her
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1901 Kipling Street, suite 230, Lakewood, CO 80215