Child & Adolescent Therapy

Supporting Young Minds & Hearts

✔ Age-appropriate session lengths, typically 45-55 minutes

✔ Child-friendly therapy rooms

✔ After-school, weekend, and some evening appointments offered

✔ Weekly sessions initially, with adjustments based on progress and needs

three people talking at a table

Inspiring

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Committed

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Growing

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Caring

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Inspiring 〜 Committed 〜 Growing 〜 Caring 〜

At South Hills Counseling, we understand children and adolescents face unique challenges in today's complex world.

According to the National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 4 million children and adolescents experience mental health issues that significantly impair their functioning at home, school, or in social settings. Our specialized child and adolescent therapy services provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people can develop essential coping skills, emotional resilience, and healthy relationship patterns.

SESSION ENVIRONMENT

✔ Welcoming, comfortable spaces designed specifically for children and teens

✔ Age-appropriate play materials, therapeutic games, and creative expression tools

✔ Confidential setting where young clients feel safe to express themselves

✔ Blend of structured activities and client-led exploration based on developmental stage

Goals of Child & Adolescent Therapy

Our therapy goals are customized to meet the specific needs of each child/adolescent and their family. We focus on identifying and developing each child's unique strengths:

Personalized Objectives

  • Alleviating symptoms of distress and reducing problematic behaviors

  • Improving social and emotional resources and resilience

  • Developing effective communication and problem-solving skills

  • Strengthening family, community, and peer relationships

  • Building self-esteem and confidence in various life domains

Growth-Oriented Goals

  • Strength-based interventions that recognize and build upon existing capabilities

  • Development of healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and emotions

  • Enhancement of social skills and peer relationships

  • Support for academic success and school adjustment

  • Fostering independence and responsibility appropriate to developmental stage

The Therapy Process

Our child-centered approach to therapy is thoughtfully designed to meet young clients where they are developmentally. We incorporate play, activities, and games as primary tools, recognizing that traditional talk therapy isn’t always effective for children.

Our techniques are age-appropriate and emphasize interactive engagement, honoring the fact that nonverbal communication is often their most authentic form of expression. Each method is adapted to align with a child’s unique interests, strengths, and challenges.

We also strongly believe in the power of family involvement. 

From the initial assessment through ongoing care, we partner with parents and caregivers—providing regular updates, scheduling family sessions when needed, and offering guidance to support progress at home. When appropriate, we collaborate with teachers and other key figures in the child’s life to ensure a holistic, supportive approach.

Our Approach to Child & Adolescent Therapy

Therapeutic Methods

We integrate evidence-based approaches specifically designed for young clients:

  • Play therapy for younger children to express thoughts and feelings

  • Cognitive-behavioral techniques adapted for different developmental stages

  • Expressive arts and creative interventions

  • Family systems approaches that address patterns and relationships

  • Solution-focused methods to build on strengths and develop practical skills

Common Concerns We Address

Our specialized therapists provide support for a wide range of childhood and adolescent challenges:

  • Anxiety, worry, and fears

  • Depression and mood difficulties

  • Behavioral challenges at home or school

  • Grief and loss

  • Trauma and stressful life events

  • Social skills and peer relationship difficulties

  • Family changes (divorce, remarriage, new siblings)

  • And more

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Children and adolescents, like adults, experience significant stress from various sources. Common stressors include school challenges (homework, test anxiety, peer pressure, bullying, learning difficulties) and family issues (parental conflict, divorce, moving, new siblings, illness, loss, transitions). If you notice concerning changes in your child's behavior, emotions, academic performance, or social interactions, therapy can serve as a positive resource for developing healthier coping strategies and addressing underlying concerns.

  • Consider seeking professional support if your child exhibits persistent changes in behavior, mood, or functioning that interfere with daily life. Warning signs may include withdrawal from activities once enjoyed, declining academic performance, sleep disturbances, increased irritability or aggression, excessive worry or sadness, regression to earlier behaviors, physical complaints without medical cause, or concerning statements about hopelessness or self-harm.

  • No, our approach is quite different. While conversation is part of the process, therapy with children and adolescents incorporates many activities, play, and games. We engage young clients through their natural language of play and interaction rather than relying solely on verbal discussion. This approach allows children to express themselves more authentically and process emotions in ways that match their developmental capabilities.

  • Yes, though the level of involvement varies based on the child's needs and therapeutic goals. We understand parents have questions about their child's therapeutic process and progress and we will schedule separate parent and family sessions as needed.

  • The duration of therapy varies widely depending on the nature and severity of concerns, the child's response to intervention, and family involvement. Some children may show significant improvement after 8-12 sessions, while others with more complex issues may benefit from longer-term support. We regularly review progress with both the child and parents to determine the appropriate course and length of treatment.

Ready To Take The Next Step?

We look forward to partnering with your family to support your child's emotional health and development. Begin Your Child's Journey to Emotional Well-being today!