Family, Adolescent, and Child Counseling

Nurturing Growth: Specialized Treatment

Children and adolescents express distress differently from adults. It’s tough to see your child struggle, and it can be hard to know if it’s just a phase or if professional support is needed.

At Arcadian, we understand. We partner with families to identify signs that a child or adolescent may benefit from a safe, supportive space to process emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen relationships at home and beyond. Seeking help is not just support for the child—it’s a powerful act of love and investment in the well-being of the whole family.

Common Signs You May Need Support

Sometimes, a child’s struggles are more than just a phase. Emotional and behavioral changes can affect the entire family system. Therapy can help restore connection, communication, and resilience.

Here are signs it may be time to seek support:

  • Changes in mood or behavior: Persistent sadness, irritability, anger, or withdrawal from family and friends

  • Increased anxiety: Excessive worries, trouble sleeping, or refusal to attend school

  • Academic struggles: Difficulty concentrating, sudden drop in grades, or loss of motivation

  • Social difficulties: Problems with friendships, bullying, or ongoing isolation

  • Behavioral challenges: Aggression, defiance, or difficulty managing emotions at home or school

  • Family transitions or stressors: Struggling to adjust after divorce, relocation, loss, or major life changes

  • Reactions to trauma or chronic stress: Including shifts in behavior, mood, or relationships

  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Seek immediate professional support if these are present

  • Low self-esteem or body image concerns: Expressions of worthlessness or fixation on appearance

  • Trouble expressing feelings: Difficulty naming or talking about emotions, leading to outbursts or shutdowns

Early support can benefit the entire family—strengthening relationships, improving communication, and helping everyone move from distress to connection.

Specialized Care

  • Play Therapy

    For children, play is their natural language. Play therapy offers a safe space where children can explore feelings, resolve conflicts, and practice new behaviors using toys and creative activities. Therapists guide them through difficult experiences and help them improve their social skills.

    Play helps children understand themselves, leading to improved communication, reduced anxiety, and healthier emotional expression.

  • Expressing Through Creativity: Art Therapy

    When words aren't enough, art therapy offers a powerful non-verbal outlet for children and teens to express emotions and reduce stress. Our therapists use various art materials to help young people gain insights and process challenging feelings through creative expression.

    Art therapy unlocks creativity as a pathway to emotional well-being, fostering self-discovery and a unique way for your child to communicate and heal.

  • Navigating Challenges: Behavioral & Cognitive Approaches (CBT/DBT)

    Challenging behaviors often signal unmet needs. We utilize evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children and teens understand how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) elements are integrated experientially to teach crucial skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

    We equip young people with practical tools to manage emotions, navigate social complexities, and build self-control, leading to more positive interactions at home and school.

  • Processing Trauma: EMDR Therapy

    For children and teens who have experienced distressing or traumatic events, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy can be a highly effective approach. Adapted for youth, EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and allowing for healthy healing without having to talk about the trauma extensively.

    EMDR therapy provides a gentle yet powerful path for children and teens to process past trauma, leading to reduced distress, improved well-being, and renewed hope.

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