Therapy for Children and Teens Experiencing Depression in Austin, TX
Helping kids and teens with emotional struggles build resilience and rediscover joy
Are you concerned that your child hasn’t seemed like themselves lately? Have they stopped doing things they used to enjoy? Do they seem sad or irritable much of the time?
If you are struggling to reach your child, you are not alone - and neither is your child.
Whether your child has a diagnosis of depression, or you find yourself wondering if they might, I’m here to help.
When you’re raising a child with mood and emotional struggles, it can be hard to know when to comfort and when to gently challenge them.
My mission is to help your child discover their strengths and develop the skills they need to handle challenges, big and small - and to help you, as their parent, find ways to support them.
What Depression Can Look Like in Kids & Teens
Kids and teens naturally go through emotional ups and down, but if their family, school, or social lives are negatively affected by several of the following issues, it might be time to seek support:
Irritable or sad mood
Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
Withdrawn behavior (spending a lot of time alone)
Spending less time with friends
Changes in appetite and eating habits
Changes in sleep routines (sleeping much more or less than usual)
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Negative self-concept
How I Support Clients Experiencing Depression
Therapy for kids and teens with depressive symptoms requires trust. This means that I focus on establishing a strong therapist-child relationship. Sometimes this means sitting on the couch and talking, but often it’s a more active process. I look for ways to make therapy engaging and fun, while also helping your child develop the skills to manage difficult moods. To do this, I incorporate:
Play and Movement-Based Activities: Games, play, movement, and art not only help your child enjoy therapy, but practice important skills that will help them to improve their mood and depression symptoms. Play can also help children work through difficult emotions.
Gentle Challenges: I look for ways to carefully challenge your child out of their comfort zone
Self Compassion: Your child will learn to do hard things, without being so hard on themselves.
Positive Reinforcement: A nurturing environment where your child discovers their strengths and develops a positive sense of self.
Take The Next Step
You don’t have to navigate this alone. We can work together to help your family thrive.
Contact me today to schedule a free introductory call, and let’s talk about how we can support your child.