Therapy for Children, Adolescents, and Families
At Leadlight Counseling we know how to make therapy fun for kids and families. At our Holland and Cascade office locations we serve children and adolescents of all ages - from birth into young adulthood. We know it “takes a village” to care for a child and we are here to help you and your child on that journey. Our specialized child therapists utilize a combination of play therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, somatic body-based work, EMDR, TF-CBT, DBT, and more. We don’t just “sometimes” work with kids - kids are why we love to go to work each day!
What sets Leadlight Counseling apart?
At Leadlight Counseling we love kids. Our team of therapists specializes in child and adolescent mental health. Not only do we specialize in the work - we love the work! At Leadlight we have the joy of bringing some of the best child therapists to Holland and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our team has built careers on our hope to bring healing and joy back into the lives of children and families. You will find that therapists at Leadlight have decades of experience working in a child context and many have had previous roles in the education system and trauma-related services leading to a unique knowledge of how to partner with schools. Some of the specialties our clinicians have are ADHD, trauma, child grief, family domestic violence, foster care/adoption, depression, self-harm, anxiety, family conflict/divorce, eating issues/ARFID, OCD, infant mental health, sleep issues, LGBTQIA+ supports, suicidal ideation, bullying/school-related issues, social skills development, emotional dysregulation/big feelings, ASD, child abuse, and more. We are truly experts in our field and are here to come alongside you and your child to provide support and encouragement along the way.
What is child, adolescent, and family therapy?
Child, adolescent and family therapy is a unique specialty in the field of mental health. While traditional talk-therapy models often work well for adult therapy, children and teens require different age-appropriate ways to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Child and adolescent therapists should have received extensive training in supporting these ages and have significant supervised experience learning how to implement effective evidence-based techniques for this age group. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for every therapist who advertises that they work with children. Leadlight is proud to employ experts in the field of child mental health and each therapist has considerable experience and training in child and adolescent related-concerns. Through therapy, children and teens can gain insight into their emotions, improve communication skills, build resilience, and ultimately enhance their overall well-being.
How do I know my child or teen needs counseling?
Child, adolescent and family therapy is a unique specialty in the field of mental health. While traditional talk-therapy models often work well for adult therapy, children and teens require different age-appropriate ways to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Child and adolescent therapists should have received extensive training in supporting these ages and have significant supervised experience learning how to implement effective evidence-based techniques for this age group. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for every therapist who advertises that they work with children. Leadlight is proud to employ experts in the field of child mental health and each therapist has considerable experience and training in child and adolescent related-concerns. Through therapy, children and teens can gain insight into their emotions, improve communication skills, build resilience, and ultimately enhance their overall well-being.
Types of child and adolescent counseling
Child and adolescent counseling encompasses various approaches and techniques that are tailored to meet the specific needs of children. Play therapy is a common type of child counseling that utilizes toys, games, and creative activities to help children express their thoughts and emotions in a safe and non-threatening environment. Behavior therapy focuses on helping children develop positive behaviors and coping mechanisms through reinforcement and modeling. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is often used to help children manage intense emotions and improve their interpersonal skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior in order to promote positive mental health outcomes for children. Each type of child counseling offers unique benefits and can be effective in addressing a range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues that children may face.
What can I expect from child and adolescent counseling?
At Leadlight Counseling we know that no family is the same and every child has a unique story. You will find that our process is meant to support the unique needs of your family. Each therapist will work collaboratively with you and your child to identify goals and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses those specific needs. We seek to follow the lead of your child’s interests and strengths to make coming to therapy fun! Therapy with small children differs greatly from therapy with teenagers and our therapists are comfortable pivoting to meet the developmental needs of each child. For young children we offer parent-only sessions to provide a space to process the unique needs of your family and to provide a safe, supportive environment to get real about struggles. We love to partner with parents!
Ready to get started?
Fill out the contact form and our team will answer any questions and help get you scheduled.