Child & Teen Therapy in Broward County

As a parent, there’s nothing more difficult than watching your child struggle and not knowing how to help. Maybe your child’s teacher keeps calling about their behavior. Maybe your teenager has stopped talking to you altogether. Or maybe your once-happy child now seems anxious, withdrawn, or angry most of the time.

You’ve tried everything you can think of. You’ve read the parenting books, followed the advice from friends and family, and maybe even blamed yourself for not doing enough. But here’s what I want you to know: reaching out for support isn’t a sign that you’ve failed as a parent. It’s actually one of the most courageous and loving things you can do for your child.

What Therapy for Children and Teens Looks Like

When parents first reach out about therapy, they often worry that their child will have to sit on a couch and talk about their feelings for an hour. That’s not how therapy works for young people.

Therapy with children and teens meets them where they are. For younger children, this often means play-based approaches where they can express themselves through games, art, and activities. For pre-teens and teenagers, sessions are more conversational but still focused on what matters to them, in language that makes sense for their age.

Here’s what actually happens: I work with your child to understand what’s going on in their world, help them develop skills to manage their emotions and behaviors, and give them tools they can use every day. And just as importantly, I work closely with you as parents to support your child’s progress at home.

Common Challenges I Help Families Navigate

When Anxiety Takes Over

Some children experience anxiety in ways that interfere with daily life. This might look like your child refusing to go to school, having frequent stomachaches before social events, or asking “what if” questions constantly. For others, anxiety shows up as perfectionism, avoidance of new situations, or even selective mutism where they can’t speak in certain settings despite being chatty at home.

Anxiety in children isn’t just “nervousness” they need to get over. It’s a real experience that can feel overwhelming and scary. In therapy, I help children understand their anxiety, develop coping strategies, and gradually face their fears in a way that builds confidence rather than pressure.

Disruptive Behaviors That Are Exhausting Everyone

If your child is constantly getting in trouble at school, refuses to listen at home, or seems to argue about everything, you’re probably exhausted. Many parents describe feeling like they’re walking on eggshells, never knowing what will set their child off.

Disruptive behaviors often stem from something deeper. Children with ADHD may struggle with impulse control and focusing on expectations. Those with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD) have patterns of behavior that affect their relationships and success at school and home.

The good news? When we understand what’s driving the behavior, we can create strategies that actually work. This often includes teaching your child better ways to express frustration, helping you set effective boundaries, and finding approaches that fit your family’s needs.

Big Emotions and Difficulty with Emotional Regulation

Some children experience emotions very intensely. What might seem like a small disappointment to you can feel catastrophic to them. They might go from zero to a hundred in seconds, have frequent meltdowns, or struggle to calm down once they’re upset.

Learning to regulate emotions is a skill, and like any skill, it can be taught. In therapy, children learn to recognize their feelings before they become overwhelming, use strategies to manage big emotions, and communicate their needs in healthier ways.

When School Becomes a Struggle

School difficulties can show up in many ways. Maybe your child is bright but constantly getting in trouble for talking or not sitting still. Perhaps they’re falling behind academically despite your help with homework every night. Or they might be avoiding school altogether, complaining of headaches or stomachaches every morning.

School problems are rarely just about school. They often reflect underlying anxiety, attention challenges, social difficulties, or learning differences. Understanding the root cause helps us create a plan that addresses what’s really going on, not just the surface symptoms.

Navigating Life Transitions

Changes that adults navigate relatively easily can be destabilizing for children and teens. Divorce, a new baby in the family, moving to a new home or school, or losing a loved one can all trigger emotional and behavioral changes.

If your child is going through a major life transition, therapy provides a safe space to process their feelings, ask questions they might not feel comfortable asking you, and develop healthy coping skills for managing change.

How We Work Together as a Team

One of the most important things to understand about child and teen therapy is that you’re not dropping off your child and hoping for the best. This is a partnership.

In our work together, here’s what you can expect:

Regular Communication: I’ll keep you informed about your child’s progress, share strategies you can use at home, and answer your questions. What happens in sessions with your child is confidential to build trust, but I’ll always give you the information you need to support them.

Parent Involvement: Depending on your child’s age and needs, I may meet with you separately, bring you into sessions periodically, or provide parent coaching. The most effective therapy happens when we’re working together toward the same goals.

School Collaboration: When appropriate and with your consent, I can communicate with your child’s teachers or school counselor to ensure everyone is on the same page. Consistency between home, school, and therapy makes a significant difference.

A Tailored Approach: Every child is unique. I customize my approach based on your child’s age, personality, specific challenges, and what you’re hoping to achieve. What works for one family won’t necessarily work for another, and that’s okay.

What Parents Often See in Therapy

While every child’s journey is different, here are some outcomes families frequently experience:

Parents often notice their child seems lighter somehow. The constant worry has decreased, or they’re able to talk about their feelings instead of acting them out. One parent recently told me, “It’s like we got our kid back.”

For children struggling with anxiety, they start attempting things they previously avoided. They might volunteer to read aloud in class, agree to attend a birthday party, or try out for a sports team. These small steps represent enormous courage.

With disruptive behaviors, families describe feeling less reactive. There are fewer power struggles, more moments of connection, and a sense that everyone can breathe a little easier. Children start using words instead of tantrums, and parents feel more confident in their responses.

In our work together, children develop a better understanding of themselves. They learn their triggers, recognize their strengths, and know what to do when big feelings show up. These are skills they’ll carry with them long after therapy ends.

Understanding My Approach

I believe that every child wants to do well. When they’re struggling with behavior, anxiety, or emotional regulation, it’s not because they’re choosing to be difficult. It’s because they haven’t yet learned the skills they need, or something is getting in their way.

My approach combines evidence-based practices with genuine warmth and acceptance. I use techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, and behavior modification, but I always tailor these to fit your child’s personality and your family’s values.

I’m direct and honest with both children and parents, but I’m also patient and optimistic. I truly believe that with the right support, children can learn to manage their challenges and thrive.

When to Consider Therapy for Your Child

Parents often wonder if their child’s struggles are “serious enough” for therapy. Here’s my perspective: if something is interfering with your child’s happiness, your family’s functioning, or your child’s success at school or with friends, it’s worth addressing.

Consider reaching out if:

Your child’s anxiety is limiting their activities or causing significant distress on a regular basis. They’re having frequent behavioral incidents at school or home that aren’t improving despite your efforts. You notice significant changes in their mood, sleep, eating, or social connections. Your child is having difficulty adjusting to a major life change. You feel overwhelmed and aren’t sure what else to try. Your gut is telling you something isn’t quite right.

You don’t need to wait until things reach a crisis point. Early intervention often prevents small challenges from becoming bigger ones.

Specialized Support for Specific Challenges

While I work with a range of childhood and teen concerns, I have particular expertise in several areas:

Anxiety Disorders: Including social anxiety, selective mutism, generalized anxiety, and specific phobias. I understand how anxiety shows up differently in children and teens, and I know how to help them build confidence while managing their worries.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders: I have specialized training in working with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder. I help families move from constant conflict to more peaceful interactions through practical strategies and improved communication.

Enuresis: Bedwetting can be emotionally challenging for children and frustrating for parents. I provide compassionate support that addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of this concern.

If your child is dealing with one of these specific challenges, you can trust that I have the knowledge and experience to provide effective support.

Taking the First Step

I know that reaching out for help can feel vulnerable. You might worry about what it says about your parenting, whether therapy will actually help, or how your child will react to the idea. These are all normal concerns.

Here’s what I encourage you to do: start with a conversation. Reach out to schedule a consultation where we can talk about what’s happening with your child, answer your questions, and determine if therapy is the right fit.

There’s no pressure, no judgment, and no expectations beyond having an honest discussion about how I might be able to help.

Your child is struggling, and you want to help them. That desire to support your child through their challenges is exactly what will make therapy successful. Together, we can create a path forward that helps your child build the skills they need to thrive.

Ready to take the first step? Contact Blooming Path Therapy today to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to navigate this alone.