Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Helping Children and Teens Thrive Emotionally, Behaviorally, and Socially
Is your child, adolescent or teen struggling with their emotional, psychological, social, or behavioral well-being?
Children may struggle and need therapy for various reasons, often related to their emotional, psychological, social, or developmental well-being.
Foothills CBT specializes in providing child and adolescent therapy. We understand that growing up comes with its own unique set of challenges, and our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help children, adolescents, teenagers, and their families navigate these challenges. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or navigating complex social dynamics, our experienced licensed psychologists are here to help.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Children, Adolescents and Teenagers.
Several therapies have been scientifically proven to help manage social, emotional and behavioral challenges for children and teens.
Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for children. It focuses on modifying negative behaviors and reinforcing positive ones through structured reward systems and consistent consequences. Our licensed psychologists offer Parent Training in Behavior Management: Parents learn techniques to reinforce good behaviors, set clear expectations, and apply consistent consequences. We can also work with school for classroom behavior Interventions: Teachers may implement behavioral interventions in school to support students with ADHD, such as reward charts or structured routines to enhance focus.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Clients learn skill-building, problem solving techniques, how to increase motivation and reduce avoidance and procrastination, and emotion regulation. It is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy designed to address a variety of emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral problems. For children, adolescents and teens, CBT focuses on teaching them practical strategies to manage their emotions and behavior in more adaptive ways. CBT sessions for children are typically more interactive and engaging than adult sessions. Therapists use age-appropriate activities, games, storytelling, and visual aids to help children understand concepts. Sessions usually last 45–60 minutes and may involve parents to help reinforce skills at home.
CBT is considered one of the most effective therapies for helping children address emotional and behavioral challenges, providing them with lifelong tools for managing stress, anxiety, and conflict.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is a therapy specifically designed to improve parent-child relationships and reduce disruptive behaviors in children with behavioral regulation difficulties and ADHD. It involves live coaching for parents while they interact with their child, focusing on building positive communication and discipline strategies. PCIT strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child through positive play and interaction. Parents learn techniques to encourage appropriate behavior and decrease disruptive actions, for effective behavior management.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy specifically adapted to help individuals, including teens, manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Originally designed for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has proven effective for adolescents dealing with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges.
For teens, DBT focuses on teaching practical skills to help them navigate intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve their relationships with family, friends, and peers. It is particularly helpful for teens who struggle with overwhelming emotions, have difficulty controlling impulses, or experience frequent interpersonal conflicts.
What mental health concerns may benefit from therapy for Children, Adolescents and Teens?
Children may struggle and need therapy for various reasons, often related to their emotional, psychological, social, or developmental well-being. Here are some common reasons why children might face difficulties and benefit from therapy:
Emotion Regulation. Children and adolescents are still learning how to manage and express their emotions, and they may struggle with intense feelings like anger, sadness, fear, or frustration. Therapy helps them understand, regulate and express these emotions in healthier ways. When emotional distress is intense, persistent and/or pervasive, our therapists use proven techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children and Dialectical Therapy (DBT) for adolescents and teens to help them understand and manage their emotions, reduce stress, and improve their mental health.
Behavioral Issues & ADHD. Behavioral issues, such as aggression, defiance, or impulsivity, can disrupt a child’s success at school and at home. We offer specialized therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral concerns. These treatments focus on improving attention, reducing impulsivity, and helping individuals develop organizational and coping skills. Through therapy, children and adolescents learn impulse control, emotional regulation, and coping mechanisms. For ADHD, we offer Behavioral interventions and parent training to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity. We also offer Parenting Support for Guidance on managing challenging behaviors at home.
Anxiety & Depression. Children and teens can experience overwhelming feelings of anxiety or depression, often impacting their daily lives and emotional well-being. Signs of Anxiety in Children’s include constant worry, physical complaints (e.g., stomachaches), avoidance of social situations, restlessness, irritability, or rushes of anxiety with distressing physical sensations. Signs of Depression may include withdrawal from activities, low energy, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite Our therapists use proven techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help children understand and manage their emotions, reduce stress, and improve their mental health.
Trauma. Children and adolescents may face emotional distress after experiencing trauma or the loss of a loved one. Trauma can range from bullying, witnessing violence, loss of loved ones and pets, to physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse. Our trauma-informed therapists help children, adolescents and teens process difficult emotions in a safe and nurturing environment. We use compassionate, evidence based therapies to gently guide children through their healing journey. The goals of therapy are often emotional healing, coping with significant distress, rebuilding trust, and restoring a sense of safety.
Social Skills & Peer Relationship Support. Forming healthy friendships and navigating peer relationships can be particularly challenging for children and teens. Common issues include Bullying, social anxiety, peer pressure, or social isolation. Our evidence based therapies focus on enhancing social skills, communication, and conflict resolution strategies, helping young clients build confidence and self-esteem.
School Stress & Academic Performance. Academic pressure and school-related stress can take a toll on children and teens. Unfortunately, it is all too common for children and teens to exhibit test anxiety, procrastination, perfectionism, or declining grades. Our therapists help young clients develop coping strategies to build resilience, manage stress, enhance time management skills, and improve academic performance. For teens preparing for major exams or transitions, therapy can provide tools for overcoming academic anxiety.
If your child, adolescent or teen is experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, know that there is reason to have hope. For a children ages, 4-18 with any of the above concerns, Foothills CBT provides evidence-based therapies exist that can improve their symptoms and quality of life.
When to consider therapy for children and adolescents?
If your child has been struggling, the best time to reach out for help is now. The sooner they get the pediatric psychology support they deserve, the sooner this important time of their life can become about thriving instead of surviving. We’re here to help.
How can I find a child therapist in Boulder?
Foothills CBT offers in person or online therapy for chidren, therapy for adolescents and therapy for teenagers. If you want to learn more about our practice and your treatment options, email us or call our office at 720-432-7061 to schedule a session or connect with a provider for a free, 10-minute consultation.
