Therapy for Children and Teens

A supportive space to develop confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.

At Shine Within, we provide compassionate and developmentally sensitive therapy for children and adolescents navigating emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. We understand that childhood and adolescence are filled with transitions—and sometimes, kids need extra support to manage what they’re feeling inside.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, anger, school refusal, low self-esteem, or difficulty managing relationships, therapy can provide a safe and empowering space to explore, heal, and grow.

As a licensed therapist and a parent of multiple teens, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to the therapeutic relationship. I know firsthand the complex emotions parents feel when their child is hurting—and I’m here to support not only the child but also the family as a whole.

How We Can Help

Therapy can benefit children and teens who are experiencing:

  • School refusal or academic anxiety

  • Emotional outbursts or frequent anger

  • Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships

  • Low self-worth or negative self-talk

  • Family transitions (divorce, blended families, grief)

  • Social withdrawal or isolation

  • Trauma or past adverse experiences

  • Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

Our Therapeutic Approach

We use a combination of age-appropriate approaches tailored to meet each child’s unique developmental and emotional needs:

🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps children and teens understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through CBT, young clients learn practical tools to manage anxiety, improve self-esteem, and cope with difficult emotions in healthier ways.

💬 Attachment-Focused Therapy

Many emotional and behavioral struggles stem from disruptions in early attachment. We explore how relationships—especially with caregivers—impact a child’s view of themselves and others. Strengthening secure attachment helps children feel safe, loved, and capable of handling life’s ups and downs.

🎨 Play & Art Therapy

Younger children often express themselves best through play, while teens may gravitate toward art, journaling, or movement. We use creative therapies to help children safely explore feelings they may not yet have the words to express.

🧍‍♀️ Talk Therapy for Teens

Teens need a space where they feel respected and not judged. We help them process life’s challenges—from identity and peer issues to academic stress—while building emotional intelligence and resilience.

What to Expect

In therapy, children and teens are invited to explore what’s going on inside in a way that feels safe and natural. They may not always open up right away—and that’s okay. Trust builds over time, and our goal is to meet them where they are.

You can expect:

  • A warm, supportive environment tailored to your child’s age and personality

  • Collaborative goal-setting with you and your child

  • Flexible techniques that adapt as your child grows

  • A balance of structure and creativity to keep them engaged

  • A therapist who genuinely cares, listens, and walks alongside your family

Support for Parents

Parenting in today’s world is tough—and parenting a struggling child or teen can feel overwhelming. As both a therapist and a parent, I offer not just theory, but practical, heart-centered strategies grounded in real life. We’ll work together so you feel more empowered, less alone, and better equipped to support your child’s emotional well-being.

Whether your child is going through a tough season or you’ve been struggling for a while, know that you’re not alone. Therapy can be the turning point where healing, understanding, and connection begin.

Let’s work together to help your child shine from within.