Childhood and adolescence are crucial periods marked by rapid growth and development. These early experiences shape who we become as adults—psychologically, socially, and physically. At Associates in Neuropsychology & Wellness, we understand how important it is to guide a child successfully through the transition from childhood to adulthood. We work diligently with your child to support this process. All of our therapeutic interventions for children are evidence-based, meaning they have been proven effective through careful research.
Adolescents
Engaging adolescents in therapy can be challenging. Many teens enter therapy at the urging of others, often leading to resistance. Research shows that over 50% of teens quit therapy prematurely. While the reasons for this aren’t always clear, we know that the quality of the relationship between the therapist and adolescent is crucial. At Associates in Neuropsychology & Wellness, our therapists focus on building supportive and trusting alliances with their teenage clients. Through genuine interest and mutual respect, we help teens feel safe enough to stay in therapy long enough to benefit from it, setting them on a path toward a successful transition into adulthood.
Our therapists are trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is considered the gold standard in adolescent therapy. CBT is a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps teens change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. By developing specific skills and strategies, our therapists guide adolescents to evaluate their thoughts more realistically and replace distorted beliefs with healthier ones, leading to improved emotional regulation, problem-solving, and overall functioning.
Children
For children under 12, communication happens primarily through play since their capacity for abstract thinking isn’t fully developed. Traditional therapies used with adults and adolescents may not be effective. That’s why Play Therapy is recognized as the developmentally appropriate intervention for younger children. This form of therapeutic play allows them to express thoughts and emotions they might not be able to verbalize.
At Associates in Neuropsychology & Wellness, we offer Play Therapy conducted by certified, specially trained therapists. Our 225-square-foot playroom is designed to give children the space they need to explore their inner experiences while building essential coping, problem-solving, and resilience skills. Research has shown that Play Therapy is effective in treating a range of childhood issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, oppositional defiance, anger management, trauma, grief, and learning disabilities.
In some cases, we may ask parents to join the process, as studies show that children make the greatest progress when parents are actively involved. Together, we work toward fostering emotional growth and well-being in your child.
For additional information regarding play therapy, its benefits, and research, visit the Parents Corner on the Association for Play Therapy website at www.a4pt.org, and https://www.a4pt.org/page/ResearchReferences.
