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Children (ages 1-9)

Therapists In Denver And Nearby Specializing In Children (ages 1-9)

Children and Mental Health (Ages 1-9)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health is an important part of overall health for everyone, including children. Many adults who have mental disorders could have shown symptoms during childhood and adolescence that may have gone unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

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A licensed therapist or counselor can help children and families understand what is going on to effectively address issues that arise and provide the necessary support. Early treatment can help prevent more serious issues from arising in the future. In fact, when some adults reflect back on their childhood during therapy sessions, they tend to remember symptoms of their then-undiagnosed disorders and how it affected them when they were younger.

Common Reasons and Signs to Take your Child to Counseling

Concerned parents may hear from others that warning signs are “just a stage” or that “the child will grow out of it,” but that is not always the case. There are many reasons parents choose to take their children to therapy. Some of these reasons look similar to those seen in adolescents and adults. Here are some of the more common reasons and signs that lead parents to begin child counseling:

  • Constantly bring up things they fear and worries they have
  • Change in sleep routine- sleeping too much or too little
  • Experiencing nightmares regularly
  • Struggling at school or academically declining
  • Change in appetite- eating too much or too little
  • Acting violently towards things, other individuals or animals
  • Obsessively repeating tasks in fear that something bad will happen if they are not completed
  • Thoughts or attempts of hurting themselves or suicide
  • Being extremely irritable and easy to anger
  • Complains of physical pain, although having a healthy medical report
  • Withdrawing from social activity or friends they used to enjoy spending time with

Types of Childhood Therapy

There are various types of therapy that a therapist may choose to move forward with, depending on the child. These offer individualized options to help treat and prevent issues that a child may be showing signs of.

  • Play therapy
    • In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the child by interpreting play behavior and communication. The therapist watches the child to better understand their emotional and mental health. Therapists use different types of child’s play to help the child figure out, express and manage their feelings.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
    • According to Everyday Health, this is a form of counseling where children are taught how their own thoughts can affect their mood and behavior. Children are shown how to identify these negative thoughts and patterns and replace them with positive ones.
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy
    • Psychodynamic psychotherapy may differ based on the child’s age. In this type of therapy, therapists listen to the child talk through their issues, with the theory in mind that once the struggles have been spoken out loud, the child’s behavior will improve. 
  • Behavior therapy
    • This type of therapy is similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy, but differs in that it focuses on modifying behaviors. This type of therapy helps children and their parents identify behaviors that need to be discouraged and encouraged to help create a change. According to Everyday Health, parents may be utilized to help alter the environmental factors that may contribute to these behaviors.

Arranging Child Counseling

A thorough evaluation with a licensed professional can help parents determine whether treatment is necessary and which treatment type may be most effective. An evaluation and therapy treatments can be good avenues to learning more about a child’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Young children can be successfully treated today through various methods, including therapy and counseling. The therapists displayed below specialize in treating young children, are credentialed with various insurance companies, and have varied availability to meet most client needs.

Maggie McEachern LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Maggie McEachern is an attachment-focused, expressive therapist who works with all ages  (three years old and up). Her work is grounded...

Katie Kelley LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Regis University. I provide psychotherapy...

Demitra Goodloe LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Available on 4/2/2024 at 9:00 AM. Book appointment.

Eagle’s Eye View provides a different perspective on life challenges. I have been a therapist for over 15 years, and strongly believe...

Kristin Foslid LPC

- Offers sessions only online

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and EMDR trained therapist. I obtained my Master’s degree in 2014. I have been in the field...

Jaime Grainger LMFT

- Offers sessions in-person and online

While this is about you and your therapeutic journey, I firmly believe that the most important part of therapy is the relationship between...

Susan Goodenberger LMFT

- Offers sessions only online

Life can be challenging. For more than 20 years I have been providing therapy services helping kids, adults, and families through tough...

Kim Kelly LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

You might be here if you’re feeling disconnected from the truest parts of yourself-stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and burnt out by...

Tina Cushman LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Tina specializes in children and adolescents and prefers to work with clients in person. Online sessions may available after speaking with her but are not recommended for children.

Tina Cushman has extensive clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families in inpatient/residential,...

Shari Lightfield LPC

- Offers sessions only online

Welcome! You are taking one of the hardest steps to improving your mental health, you have started the search for a counselor. I want...

Sarah Deneroff LCSW

- Offers sessions only online

Sarah prefers to work with children, teens, and young adults.

Sarah Deneroff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing in the social work field with adults, adolescents, children,...

Sue Crawford LPC

- Offers sessions only online

Available on 4/3/2024 at 3:00 PM. Book appointment.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and trauma specialist. I have worked with adults, children, teens and families in community, school...

Rachel Mahoney LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Rachel Mahoney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in working with children, adolescents and adults...

Aubrey Adain LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

First, I want to commend you for seeking change and opportunity for your own life or as a support for your child. Accepting the possibility...

Karen Mikolic Ph.D.

- Offers sessions only online

Karen Mikolic, Ph.D. is a psychologist who is Board Certified in Neuropsychology and licensed in Colorado, Florida, and California. Dr....

Lindy Steece LPC

- Offers sessions only online

Available on 4/2/2024 at 1:00 PM. Book appointment.

I am a believer in Dreams.  I believe Life is short and quality counts.  I am curious about your life:  how you handle situations,...

Janet Borelli LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Janet is only accepting clients 19 years old and above.

Are you under stress? Overwhelmed? Do you feel unable to move ahead in your life? would you like to feel more effective with your children...

Kellee Scannell LMFT

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Kellee only works with children up to eight years old.

Do you find the same stressors keep showing up in your life? Are you feeling stuck in relationships? Do you often feel bad about yourself?...

Lisa Elsey LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Come step up your mental health with me. 25 years of experience working with children and families in many different capacities including:...

Jessica Kuchinski LPC

- Offers sessions only online

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist working in the field since 2003, I’ve worked with children, teens,...

Emily Ringle LMFT / LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Hello! My name is Emily Ringle and I am thrilled to be working with Westside Behavioral Care. I hope to work with you on your journey...

April Betty MA

- Offers sessions only online

April is a graduate of Naropa University where she earned her Master of Arts in Somatic Counseling Psychology, with a specialty in Dance/Movement...

Rachel Rossi LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Rachel is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been practicing therapy with children, teens, adults, couples, and families since...

Michael Gyorffy LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Hello! I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2007 and have been working in the mental health field for over 20 years....

David Karl LPC

- Offers sessions only online

David Karl is a bilingual therapist in Denver able to see English and Spanish speaking patients. English Respecting your culture, empowering...

Ann Norris LCSW / MSW

- Offers sessions only online

In my Boulder therapy practice, I am dedicated to providing a supportive, safe environment for clients to work on their own areas of...

Jaurene Blacklock CAC III / LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Aurora therapist, Jaurene Blacklock, LPC, CACIII, is a veteran therapist who sees adults, children, families, couples, and adolescents....

Traci Rock LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Exceptional Lakewood therapy is provided by Traci Rock, LCSW. She is a veteran therapist with special interest in children and families....

Tracey Andrews LCSW

- Offers sessions in-person and online

"Gender identity clients are limited to children and adolescents."

Child and Adolescent Therapist, Tracey Andrews, LCSW, also specializes in seeing adults suffering from problems such as depression, LGBT...

Bonnie Mucklow CAC III / LMFT / LPC

- Offers sessions in-person and online

Bonnie does not find online therapy suitable for children ages 9 and under.

Greenwood Village therapist, Bonnie Mucklow, is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPC)...