Parents often believe their children's negative behaviors are just phases the children will outgrow. However, these ongoing behaviors are usually much more than phases.  Negative behaviors are often the children's unsuccessful attempts to meet their emotional needs.  These behaviors frequently lead parents to seek out therapy services for their children.  Additional reasons for seeking therapy include:

• Defiance at Home/School
• Tantrums
• Poor Social Skills/ Peer Relationships at School
• Adjustment to Parents' Divorce and/or Moving to a New Town
• ADHD
• Excessive Worrying/Sadness
• Sexual Abuse/Physical Abuse
• Witness to Domestic Violence
• Attachment issues/ Parent Child Relationship Issues
• Foster/Adoption Issues
• Death of a Loved One/Grief
• Agrressive Behaviors/ Anger management

• Therapy for young children often includes play with the therapist and the child's parent because young children communicate best through play.  Much of the play has a focus on relationship enhancement with the child and parent.  Building stronger and more secure relationships with a child's parent/guardian is one of the main ingredients to eliminating negative behaviors such as tantrums, defiance, etc.  If a child feels secure with his /her parent, then he/she will not feel the need to test the relationship with his/her parent. Relationship enhancement includes learning effective communication strategies, creating consistent structure in the home, and providing a nurturing and loving atmosphere with empathy for the child.

• Therapy with teens often includes both individual therapy and family therapy depending on the needs and circumstances of the teen.  Teens participate in variety of creative therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, and stress reduction therapy.