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Children (ages 10-12)

Therapists In Denver And Nearby Specializing In Children (ages 10-12)

Children and Mental Health (Ages 10-12)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health is an important part of overall health for everyone, including preteens (children ages 10 through 12). 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 preteens 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 adolescence 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 adolescent will grow out of it,” but that is not always the case. There are many reasons parents choose to take their adolescent to therapy. Some of these reasons look similar to those seen in adults. Here are some of the more common reasons and signs that lead parents to begin child counseling:

  • Smoking, drinking or are using drugs
  • 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
  • Worries of weight gain- dieting or excessively working out
  • 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
  • Spending an increased amount of time alone- withdrawing from social activity they used to enjoy

Types of Childhood Therapy

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

  • Play therapy
    • In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the adolescent by interpreting play behavior and communication. The therapist watches the adolescent to better understand their emotional and mental health. Therapists use different types of adolescent’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 preteens are taught how their own thoughts can affect their mood and behavior. Preteens 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 adolescent’s age. In this type of therapy, therapists listen to the adolescent talk through their issues, with the theory in mind that once the struggles have been spoken out loud, the adolescent’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 preteens 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 an adolescent’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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

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 SUITE 140, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112

Lynzee Buseck Headshot
Lynzee Buseck , GCDF / LPC / MS / NCC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Does your teen have anxiety or depression? Do you argue with your teen on a regular basis? Are you at a loss for the words to reach your...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 825 Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80218

Diana Baumgarten
Diana Baumgarten , LCSW

Offers sessions only in-person

- Average patient rating

Seeing kids 10-18 years old.

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1997 with a wide range of experience. I have worked with adults in a public mental...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 950 Wadsworth Blvd, Suite 202, Lakewood, CO 80214

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

Sarah Denerroff
Sarah Zalkin , LCSW

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

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

  • 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

Additional ratings needed to generate average

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, Suite 1425, Centennial , CO 80112

Therapist Erica Krakovitz wearing a green top in front of a patterned wall
Erica Krakovitz , CAS / Ph.D.

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Our greatest accomplishments involve conquering our fears and insecurities. Sometimes fear and shame keep us stuck and prevent us from...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Therapist Brianna Roggow standing outdoors by a brick wall
Brianna Roggow , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

- Average patient rating

Lets be honest, life can be challenging. Whether you are a kid struggling with managing your emotions, a teenager figuring out who you...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

  • 1650 38th St #100e, Boulder, CO 80301

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

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

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

Janet Borelli Headshot
Janet Borelli , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

- Average patient rating

Are 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

  • 1385 S. Colorado Blvd Suite 302A, Denver, CO 80222