Therapy for Children & Teens: Support for Anxiety, Behavior Challenges & Emotional Well-Being

It’s hard to watch your child struggle and not know how to help. Big emotions, anxiety, mood swings, sleep issues, school challenges, or withdrawal aren’t always “just a phase.” They can be signs your child needs more support.

We help children and teens understand their emotions, build coping skills, and gain confidence navigating everyday challenges. We also support you with tools and guidance along the way.


Help Your Child or Teen Thrive at Home, in School, and with Friends

With the right support, children and teens can manage anxiety, improve focus and behavior, build stronger friendships, and grow into confident, resilient young adults.

Jamie Diamond, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Trauma, emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, self-harm
Approach
CBT, DBT, family-focused therapy & EMDR
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Nicole Arias, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Anxiety, depression, ADHD & school performance struggles
Approach
CBT, ACT & EMDR
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Micah Zylstra, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Depression & grief
Approach
psychodynamic, attachment & EMDR
Read more
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How We Work with Children & Teens

Our therapists who specialize in children and teens use a range of evidence-based approaches to support young people through the challenges they’re facing.

We commonly help children and teens with:

  • Anxiety, stress, and panic
  • ADHD and emotional dysregulation
  • Behavioral challenges and frequent meltdowns
  • School-related difficulties (focus, motivation, academic stress)
  • Social challenges and making/keeping friends
  • Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
  • Mood changes, irritability, or withdrawal

In sessions, we help children and teens understand their emotions, build healthy coping skills, and feel more in control. Therapy is tailored to your child’s age and personality—using play and creative activities for younger children, and more direct conversation and skill-building (like CBT tools) for older kids and teens. When appropriate, EMDR may also be used to safely process distressing experiences.

Our goal is to help your child build confidence, improve relationships, manage stress, and function better at home, school, and socially. We also work closely with parents, providing guidance and tools so you can confidently support your child between sessions and create lasting change at home.

"Children and teens often express trauma through behaviors rather than words. Emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or anxiety are not simply phases, but signs of unresolved pain that deserves care and healing." - Dr. Jamie Diamond

Our Specialists in Children & Teens

Dr. Jamie Diamond

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Diamond brings extensive expertise in child and adolescent mental health, with a focus on trauma, emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, and self-harm. What sets Dr. Diamond apart is her extensive background in child and adolescent psychology, including her training at the prestigious Child Mind Institute, where she treated some of the most complex cases of trauma in youth. She integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to provide developmentally sensitive, evidence-based care. Through this integrative approach, she helps young people process painful experiences, build resilience, and restore balance, while also supporting families in creating environments that nurture healing and growth.

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Dr. Micah Zylstra

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Zylstra works with children and teens navigating depression, as well as grief and loss. He brings a thoughtful, compassionate approach and connects easily with young clients through humor and genuine understanding, helping them feel comfortable and supported.

Drawing from EMDR, attachment-based therapy, and a psychodynamic approach, Dr. Zylstra helps children and adolescents process complex emotions, explore underlying patterns, and build a stronger sense of self. His work creates a safe, engaging space where clients can heal, gain insight, and develop greater emotional resilience.

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Dr. Nicole Arias

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Arias is deeply passionate about working with children and teens, which is where much of her training and experience lies. She specializes in helping young people navigate depression, anxiety—including social anxiety—as well as ADHD and the challenges that come with major life transitions.

She is especially skilled at supporting children and adolescents whose emotional or behavioral struggles are impacting their school performance and social lives. Through a warm, developmentally attuned approach, Dr. Arias helps her clients build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and feel more successful both in and out of the classroom.

Read More about Dr. Arias

How EMDR Helps Children & Teens

Sometimes behaviors like anxiety, meltdowns, or withdrawal are signs that a child has experienced something overwhelming and hasn’t fully processed it. When appropriate, EMDR is one of the approaches we may use to help children and teens work through these experiences so they feel calmer, more regulated, and less stuck.

Not every child needs EMDR—therapy is always tailored to your child’s specific needs and comfort level. For those who are a good fit, EMDR can be especially helpful because it doesn’t require kids to talk through everything in detail, making it easier for them to process difficult experiences and move forward with more confidence and resilience.

FAQ About Therapy for Children & Teens

How do I know if my child or teen needs therapy?

If your child is experiencing ongoing anxiety, frequent meltdowns, mood changes, withdrawal, or difficulties at school or with friends, therapy can help. While some ups and downs are part of development, consistent struggles or changes in behavior are often a sign that extra support could be beneficial.

What are signs my child is struggling emotionally?

Common signs include increased irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, difficulty focusing, avoiding school or social situations, or changes in behavior. Younger children may show this through tantrums or regression, while teens may become more withdrawn or overwhelmed.

What happens in therapy sessions for children or teens?

Therapy sessions are tailored to your child’s age and needs. Younger children often engage through play, games, and creative activities, while teens may participate in more conversation and skill-building. The goal is to help them understand their emotions, develop coping skills, and feel more confident handling challenges.

When is EMDR used with children or teens?

EMDR is incorporated when a child or teen feels stuck, has strong emotional reactions, or has experienced something overwhelming that continues to affect them. It helps process these experiences so they no longer drive anxiety or distress.

What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?

This is very common. Our therapists are experienced in helping children and teens feel comfortable and engaged, often by meeting them at their level and incorporating activities they enjoy. Over time, most children begin to feel more at ease and open to the process.

Ready to Help Your Child Heal and Thrive?

Help your child find calm amid big emotions, thrive in social settings & grow resiliency through sessions with our children & teen specialists.