Child Psychotherapy

When parents seek therapy for their child (or when a child asks for it themselves), it’s often because something feels stuck. At Tide Pools, we understand that a child’s challenges don’t exist in isolation. We consider their mind, body, family, culture, and community as an interconnected whole.

While some treatments focus narrowly on behaviors, we believe behaviors are always part of a larger story. After one behavior is addressed, another may emerge—because the underlying struggles haven’t yet been explored.

At Tide Pools, we do address specific behaviors—but we go deeper. Our therapy is about helping children develop trust, authenticity, creativity, and integrity. We aim to give them the inner tools and confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges, both now and in the future.

We believe in working collaboratively, drawing on the expertise of the child’s most important guides—their parents. By building a supportive team around each child, we can help them thrive.

When we slow down, look closely, build trust, and engage with a child’s real experiences, we support changes that last a lifetime.

What we help with

We take a holistic approach to child treatment and work to identify and amplify the unique personality and strengths of each child. Our relational approach to play therapy can help with:

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Difficulties in peer, family, school, and community relationships

  • Emotional dysregulation and coping challenges

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Navigating differences and challenges associated with neurodiversity (autism, ADHD)

  • Children who feel quirky and are looking for a place to belong

  • Sensitive kids learning to balance deep feelings with real-world challenges

  • Independent kids seeking to build collaboration and teamwork skills

  • Children who feel misunderstood and want relationships where they are seen, heard, and valued

  • Energetic children who could use support in slowing down and finding calm

How we help

  • Build emotional resilience, reducing anxiety and depression

  • Help children (and those around them) reflect on their emotions and understand the world around them

  • Foster feelings of agency and self-confidence

  • Increase a child’s capacity to self-advocate and collaborate

  • Identify and strengthen the relationships that support the child

  • Address fears and defenses that block feelings and experiences, helping children live more fully

  • Focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, empathy, and collaboration

  • Deepen insight into who the child is, what they need, and the strengths they bring

  • Facilitate monthly collaborative consultations between therapist and parents

  • Restore confidence and hope in the child’s capacity to grow and thrive

  • Teach children to identify enjoyable, trustworthy, and sustaining relationships, interests, and hobbies

  • Expand the capacity to notice deep feelings, put them into words, and use them as valuable information

  • Strengthen the ability to self-advocate and work effectively with others

  • Help children apply skills from therapy to real-life experiences

  • Foster problem-solving and negotiation skills

  • Integrate identity, personal history, and community experiences

  • Encourage play, self-compassion, and enjoyment