Child Counseling
Techniques & Services
First and foremost, children come with families. When a child struggles, the family struggles. Families are complicated, and behaviors that work within one family may be dysfunctional in others. So, the first question to ask: Is my child struggling? The next question is equally important: in what areas of life do I see him/her finding success. When there is a struggle, therapy can be beneficial when building on your child’s strengths and successes.
- Child centered therapy utilizes positive psychology, play therapy techniques, and psycho education to teach the child about their moods and thoughts so they can communicate to their parents, teachers, friends.
- We us our specialized training in Child and Family Trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Infant Mental Health, Ages and Stages of Development, positive and goal-oriented therapies to help your child.
- With our vast experience with blended families, divorcing parents, custody issues, pre and post adoption, school behavioral situations (IEP and 504 Plans), social anxiety, child depression/anxiety, video game obsessions, developing behavior and safety plans, we have the tools to successfully assist your family.
Finding the right counselor for your child
When searching for a counselor for your child, you need to find a place that is comfortable for you both. At WGW, we offer an in-person, child friendly, open atmosphere, utilizing games and activities designed to help your child learn how to identify and express their emotions. Parents are welcome in sessions and/or child is welcome to attend sessions alone with a parent wrap up at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll Answer
Play therapy is very different from traditional adult talk therapy. Child therapy is part play, part learning, and a lot of connecting. Our world is complicated, and children often struggle with growing and developing. Many families who decide to venture into child therapy state they wish they had started it sooner, but fear and uncertainty kept them from seeking the helping hand they needed.
Counselors who work with children have a very specialized training that helps them to connect with them during the therapeutic process. Children can come to counseling for many reasons including social skills, confidence, grief and trauma. Sometimes children don’t understand what they are feeling or why they are feeling a certain way. A child therapist will help the parents and the child to discover why they are struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially.
Often, parents notice that their children are struggling, and they don’t know how to help them. If your child has been experiencing any issues that concern you, it may be time to seek help. These could be abnormal eating and sleeping patterns, being sullen or moody, crying, new fears that don’t seem age or circumstance appropriate, abruptly switching friend groups or sudden changes in clothing, interests, or entertainment choices.
Sessions may include talking, drawing, games, or activities that help children express themselves in ways that feel natural and comfortable. Our counselors adapt the approach to each child’s age, needs, and personality.
Yes. Parents play a vital role. While children often have individual time with their counselor, we also include parents in sessions to provide updates, share strategies, and support the child’s progress at home.
Yes. Confidentiality is important for building trust. Counselors do not share details of what a child says unless it’s necessary for the child’s safety. Parents are kept informed about progress and general themes but not private conversations, unless there’s a safety concern.
Your child is always free to share as much as they would like with you.
The length of counseling varies for each child. Some children benefit from just a few sessions, while others may need ongoing support. The counselor will work with you to create a plan that fits your child’s needs.
At Winter Garden Wellness, each counseling session costs $165. This rate is the same whether your child meets individually or with you included. We accept out-of-network providers, as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). A superbill can be provided for insurance reimbursement if needed.
Children can learn how to manage stress and anxiety, improve communication, boost confidence, strengthen social skills, and work through difficult emotions or life changes. Many parents notice a positive shift in their child’s mood and behavior.
You can say something like, “You’ll have a special time each week to talk or play with someone who helps kids feel better and solve problems.” Framing it in a positive and supportive way helps children feel at ease.
The first step is to schedule a parent consultation. This allows us to learn more about your child, your family’s needs, and to create a plan together. From there, we’ll schedule your child’s first session and begin building support.
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If you want a counselor that is not just going to teach your child a few coping skills, but is really invested in working with the family to sustain positive outcomes you need to check out Julie and Winter Garden Kids. Julie was a colleague of mine and former supervisor who’s top priority has always been working in cooperation with the child and family to help maximize positive counseling outcomes. Positive encouragement, open listening, and gentle guidance are characteristics of Julie’s professionalism that I love about her approach. Julie has a contagious passion for life and enhancing the child and family relationship. Encouraging growth, exploration, and learning are all a part of what Julie does effortlessly when you work with her. For me, meeting and working with Julie has been a huge bright spot in my career as she has taught me what an exceptionally proficient, moral, ethical, Clinical Counselor truly looks like. I would highly recommend taking a look at Julie and Winter Garden Kids if you are looking for Counseling services.
I highly recommend Bryan for individual and couples therapy. He always made me feel comfortable and I felt like I could be myself which is super important when going to counseling.
Samantha’s massages always relieve my shoulder pain and IT band tension. She targets problem areas and has greatly improved my mobility. Thank you, Sam – you’re amazing!
I met with Bryan for about 8 months. I began meeting with him individually (for about 5 months) and for the final 3 months, my partner and I went together. We cannot be any more emphatic when we say that our experience with Bryan was wonderful.
Bryan demonstrates a superb level of care and commitment to his clients. He fosters an environment of openness, honesty, and acceptance that allows clients to confront their flaws and limitations in order to heal and make changes for the better. It is clear that Bryan is in this profession for all the right reasons and is gifted as a counselor. I would strongly recommend him to anyone.
Thank you Bryan!
To put it simply Bryan is a superstar! Yes, he is an excellent therapist…I have several family members and friends who have been referred to him, and he is absolutely wonderful. He has and uses a Christian foundation with his counseling and has a calm, pleasant demeanor that puts his patients at ease. He is insightful with his approach to therapy and I would recommend him to any colleague, friend, or patient without reservation.
I started working with Bryan 7 months prior to writing this review. I went alone in hopes that he could help with some relationship issues I was unable to solve on my own. Bryan has been nothing short of a miracle in my life. My story is still being written, but I look forward to my appointments with him. He is calm, kind-hearted, and genuinely wants me to succeed. He looks at every angle and gives guidance/suggestions that only betters my situation. Bryan is extremely intelligent and knows how to help people. Better than that he enjoys helping people. I will continue to refer him to anyone and everyone. True companionate people are not just hard to find but he does with the intent of actually building his patients up. I can not say enough great things about him, and strongly recommend him to anyone in need.
My husband and I met with Bryan for about 5 months. The time and money we spent were without a doubt, one of the very best investments we have made for our marriage. The care and commitment with which Bryan treats his clients are outstanding. He patiently, kindly, and honestly helps clients understand situations or wounds with clarity to which he offers sound and concrete steps towards healing. Bryan helped my husband and I to grow as individuals as well as together as a couple, and our marriage was strengthened tremendously.
After our marriage counseling concluded, I continued to meet with Bryan individually for about 3 months. Bryan helped me to understand my need for a better relationship with God which sent me on a journey that completely changed my life. I continue to live with the same struggles (from an incurable medical issue) yet I no longer suffer from the debilitating depression it used to cause me. I will never be able to adequately thank Bryan for the gift his counseling gave me and my marriage.
I would highly recommend Bryan to anyone.
Thank you, Bryan!