Teen and Child Therapy Atlanta

Takeaway: We’re intimately familiar with the joys and challenges of parenting a highly sensitive child. Our expert child therapists in Atlanta can give your family the support you need to cultivate more compassion and connection with each other. Get in touch today to start the process!

Our approach to child therapy in Atlanta, GA

At Rooted Rhythm™️ Therapy, we specialize in helping sensitive children and teens (and their families!) embrace big emotions and work through traumatic events. To do this, our child therapists use a finely tuned method that is primarily based on a play therapy approach.

Since play is a child's most natural language, we believe this is the most effective approach to mental health care for little ones. Using play helps your kiddo express themselves most clearly, making sure that they'll be seen and understood.

When we can attune to your child or teen's emotional state, we can help them better understand themselves and foster a deeper connection within your entire family.

We're especially well-suited to help children, teens, and families experiencing:

• Behavioral difficulties. Many of the children we work with have been labeled with ADHD or other behavioral challenges. Our play therapy services can help your kiddo express their feelings and needs. Plus, our parenting support can help you learn how to approach your child more effectively, which can deepen your relationship and improve behavioral functioning at the same time.

• Life transitions. Life changes like divorce, welcoming a new baby, or starting school can be difficult for any child, but sensitive kids often have a harder time adjusting. Together, we'll help your family ride the wave and find more ease on the other side.

• Mental illness. We also help children and teens experiencing mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma. Even if your kiddo doesn't have a diagnosed mental illness, they might feel overwhelmed by big feelings. We can also help with navigating emotions, anger management, and more.

• Self-esteem and identity issues. Some teens and young adults may struggle to discover who they are, what they want, and how they feel. Working with a professional counselor can give them the support they need to build a healthy relationship with themselves and others.

In addition to play therapy methods, we may also incorporate cognitive behavioral strategies for older children and teens. Regardless of your child's age or particular challenges, we'll always use person-centered approaches. This means that we're dedicated to seeing your kiddo for the unique individual they are and celebrating their strengths!

Understanding the Rooted Rhythm™️ method of child counseling

While our services are tailored to each child's unique needs, we use the same tried-and-true method to help each family. Here's a look at what to expect.

1. Parent orientation. After our initial consultation, we'll kick things off with a 90-minute parent orientation session. Here, you'll share important background information about your kiddo, learn about the counseling process, and get to know your child's therapist.

2. Child therapy sessions. From here, we'll schedule twelve 50-minute child therapy sessions that take place over three months. These are in-person play therapy sessions where your child will work one-on-one with their therapist. During the last ten minutes, you'll get an update and some support from the clinician.

3. Parenting support. You'll have the opportunity to engage in your own growth and healing during your child's journey by taking our TUNED IN parenting course. You'll also have the option to attend weekly ROOTED RISING parenting calls on Wednesdays at 12 pm MT with lead parent coach Sophie Schauermann LCSW. We also offer individual parent coaching sessions as needed.

4. Parent closing session. Once the twelve child therapy sessions are complete, you'll attend a final session with your child. Here, we'll recap the progress that everyone has made and create a sustainable plan for continued growth.

5. Ongoing support. After twelve weeks of work, your family will have the tools you need to keep progressing. At the same time, we're always here if you need us. You'll have the option to continue attending weekly calls or return as needed for tune-up therapy and/or coaching sessions.

Have more questions about the process? Contact us to get the answers you need.

Special considerations for parents of teens

Since teens are at a different developmental stage than younger children, there are some key distinctions in our approach to teen therapy. Here are some of the main differences in our process.

• Less involvement in the therapy process. Teens are in the process of developing a stronger sense of identity, which involves creating more independence from their families. While we update parents when necessary and encourage teens to involve parents as they wish, we generally focus on developing a strong, trusting one-on-one relationship with your teen.

• A consensual agreement. In order for our work to be effective, we require the teens we work with to choose to engage in therapy themselves. We believe that therapy should be a safe space for teens to express themselves, gain insight, and get support—not feel forced or coerced.

• Parenting support. Parenting teens can be both rewarding and challenging. We encourage parents to engage in their own therapeutic work alongside their teen, either through our TUNED IN course, parent coaching sessions, or individual therapy.

• Varying lengths of time in therapy. Unlike our structured twelve-session approach with younger children, our teens spend varying lengths of time in therapy. We recommend eight weeks of weekly sessions to get started, though many teens often benefit from longer-term mental health care.

Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation here.

Meet our expert child therapist in Atlanta, GA

Get to know the child therapists who will be supporting you and your family!

Nicole Soto, MSW, LMSW | Therapist

Nicole specializes in helping children, adolescents, and young adults navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, anger, and life transitions. In addition to play therapy techniques, she's also trained in psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness-based methods, and more. Nicole is dedicated to helping children and families grow loving, supportive connections with themselves and each other.

Learn more about Nicole

Why choose Rooted Rhythm™️ for play therapy in Atlanta

Finding the right fit for your family is key. Here are some reasons to consider working with us.

• We specialize in helping highly sensitive children. Your sensitive kiddo has unique strengths, challenges, and needs. Our child therapists are experts in children and families work with your little one's sensitivity instead of against it.

• We take a holistic, family-based approach. We see the family as a cohesive unit, and our methods are meant to help the entire family come together. Instead of casting your kiddo as the problem, we use a family therapy approach that shifts how the entire unit works.

• We offer a variety of services to best meet your family's needs. Part of our holistic method is providing a number of ways for your family to grow. In addition to one-on-one child therapy sessions, we also provide weekly calls, individual parent coaching sessions, therapy for parents, and self-paced courses to help your family thrive.

Still not sure whether we're the right fit? Schedule a free consultation call.

FAQs about working with an Atlanta child therapist

Child counseling in Atlanta can help your family find your rhythm.

Ready to see how play therapy can help your family? Reach out today for your free consultation. We can't wait to meet you and watch your family grow!

Office Location

3355 Lenox Road, Suite 1000 | Atlanta, GA 30326