Children & Teens
Therapy for Kids & Teens in Annapolis, Maryland for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, & more
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health: Don’t Face it Alone
Watching your child or teen struggle with mental health challenges can feel overwhelming and heartbreaking. You might notice them becoming more withdrawn, irritable, or emotionally exhausted, and you may not fully understand why. Perhaps they’re battling constant self-doubt, stress, or a lingering sadness that affects their ability to focus, connect with others, or simply enjoy life. For some children and teens, these struggles show up physically—through trouble sleeping, fatigue, or frequent complaints of headaches or stomachaches. Others may start avoiding activities, friendships, or hobbies that once brought them happiness.
As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child wrestle with feelings they might not be able to express. You may find yourself carrying the weight of their struggles alongside your own responsibilities, feeling unsure about how to help or where to turn.
About Our Children & Teen Therapy Services:
Who is this therapy for?
Children & teenagers struggling with mental health challenges.
What concerns do we address?
We help children & teens navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief & more.
What does children & teen therapy involve?
We may use CBT, play therapy, and other modalities to help build emotional regulation & coping skills for real-life challenges. We also involve parents and families for a more holistic approach.
Other General Info
We accept some insurance. We offer virtual & in-person options. We are located in Annapolis, Maryland.
How Does Child & Teen Therapy Work?
Child and teen therapy starts with a professional evaluation to understand your child’s challenges and then uses evidence-based psychological treatments (like behavior therapy or CBT) tailored to their age and needs, with family involvement when helpful.
How Can Therapy Help My Kid?
Therapy can help kids and teens learn skills to manage emotions and behaviors, reduce distress, and improve functioning at home, school, and with peers, especially when treatment is based on proven approaches and begun early.
Is Therapy Right for My Kid?
Therapy may be right if your child’s emotional, behavioral, or social difficulties are persistent, distressing, or interfering with daily life, because early, evidence-informed support often leads to better long-term outcomes.
Wondering What the Therapy Process Looks Like? We Got You.
1. Intake
The first session is a chance for your child or teen to get comfortable and share what’s been feeling hard, at their own pace. The therapist also connects with caregivers to understand concerns, daily routines, and goals, while answering questions about how therapy works.
2. Assessment
As therapy continues, the therapist works to better understand your child’s emotions, behaviors, relationships, and stressors. This may include identifying patterns, triggers, strengths, and developmental needs to guide treatment.
3. Treatment
Sessions focus on helping kids and teens build skills to manage emotions, cope with stress, and navigate challenges at home, school, or with peers. Therapy is tailored to their age and may include talk, play, creative activities, or skills-based strategies.
4. Integration
Over time, your child practices using new tools in real-life situations. This stage supports building confidence, emotional awareness, and healthier ways to respond to challenges, with caregiver support when appropriate.
5. Follow-Up and Ongoing Support
As needs change, therapy may focus on maintaining progress, strengthening skills, or addressing new concerns. Some families continue with regular sessions, while others return as needed for additional support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Kids & Teens
What issues can child and teen therapy help with?
Therapy can support kids and teens with anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, school stress, emotional regulation, social difficulties, life transitions, and experiences of trauma or loss.
What does a typical therapy session look like?
Sessions are tailored to your child’s age and needs and may include conversation, play, creative activities, or skill-building to help them express feelings and learn healthy coping strategies.
Will parents or caregivers be involved in therapy?
Yes, caregiver involvement is often part of the process, especially for younger children, while teens are supported with appropriate privacy and collaboration.
How long does therapy usually last?
The length of therapy varies depending on your child’s goals and needs, with some benefiting from short-term support and others from ongoing care.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Therapy may be helpful if emotional or behavioral changes are persistent, affect daily life, or cause distress at home, school, or with peers.
Is therapy confidential for teens?
Teens are provided a level of confidentiality to build trust, while caregivers are kept informed about safety concerns and overall progress.
How can therapy help with school or social challenges?
Therapy can help kids and teens build communication skills, manage stress, improve confidence, and develop tools for navigating peer and academic pressures.
What if my child is hesitant or doesn’t want to go to therapy?
It’s common for kids and teens to feel unsure at first; therapists work at a child’s pace to build trust and help therapy feel safe, supportive, and collaborative.
Sources
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Children’s Mental Health & Treatment
https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/treatment/index.html -
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Child & Adolescent Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health -
American Psychological Association (APA) – Children, Teens, and Therapy
https://www.apa.org/topics/children -
Effective Child Therapy (Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, APA Division 53)
https://effectivechildtherapy.org/ -
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults
Address
147 Old Solomons Island Rd Suite 303, Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Sat-Sun: By Appointment Only