Therapy for Children and Teens Greenwich

Takeaway: If your sensitive kid or teen is struggling, we’re here to help. We provide therapy for children in Greenwich, and we use a specialized treatment approach that’s designed to help highly sensitive children thrive. Reach out today to learn more about how we can support you and your family.

Our approach to children & family therapy in Greenwich, CT

At Rooted Rhythm™️, we specialize in using play therapy methods to support gifted and sensitive children ages 2-12. We also help teens with issues related to self-esteem, identity, and relationships.

We know that watching your child or teen struggle with intense emotions, behavioral problems, or stressful life situations can be painful. Our therapists are committed to creating a safe space where kids can be held in their authentic feelings and where parents can learn to effectively attune to their children's emotions. Through this approach, we help families grow healthy, harmonious relationships with each other.

Play therapy allows children to express themselves using the language that's most natural to them: play! Instead of being forced to find words they might not have, children are able to use play as a way to feel validated and understood.

We use play therapy to help:

Highly sensitive children. Sensitive kids feel things deeply. This is an incredible gift, and it can also lead to overwhelm and emotional exhaustion. Therapy can give your sensitive child much-needed support and coping skills. For more information on highly sensitive children, check out this blog post.
Gifted children. Gifted children have special abilities that set them apart from their peers. While we want to help them lean into their talents, we also need to validate the loneliness that gifted children experience.
Children with big emotions. Behavioral problems can often stem from intense feelings like sadness and anger that kiddos don't know how to handle. This is often true for kids who have been labeled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therapy can help your child learn to manage these big feelings in healthier ways.
Children with mental health issues. Kiddos who experience anxiety, depression, and trauma also have intense emotional needs. Through therapy, they'll get the vital support they need to move through the world with both authenticity and resilience.
Teens and young adults with self-esteem issues. We also help teenagers who are struggling with issues related to identity development and self-esteem. Through the safety and support of a trusting therapeutic relationship, they'll learn how to cultivate healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Reaching out for support is incredibly vulnerable and courageous. We honor this by working closely with parents throughout the entire process (though to a lesser degree with teens). For more information about how we work, schedule a free consultation.

Understanding the Rooted Rhythm™️ process

Parent orientation. After our consultation, we'll start with a 90-minute parent session. Here, you'll tell us more about your family's needs and what you hope to gain from the therapy process. You'll also have the chance to get to know your child's therapist and ask any lingering questions you may have.
Child therapy sessions. Your child will meet with their therapist twelve times over a three-month period. These in-person play therapy sessions are 50 minutes long with the last ten minutes reserved for parent updates and consultation.
Parenting support. Throughout these twelve weeks, you'll have the chance to engage in your own growth alongside your child. Our TUNED IN parenting course and weekly ROOTED RISING parent connection calls with lead coach Sophie Schauermann, LCSW give parents the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with like-minded parents. You can also participate in one-on-one parent coaching sessions as needed.
Parent closing session. Once the twelve weeks are complete, we'll wrap up our work with a final session that both children and parents attend. This gives us the chance to reflect on your family's progress and create a plan to help you continue on this upward trajectory.
Ongoing support. While our goal is to help you feel empowered to grow on your own as a family after these twelve weeks, we also recognize the importance of support. You're welcome to return for as-needed therapy or coaching sessions and/or continue attending our weekly calls.

Special considerations for parents of teens

Teenagers are at a different developmental phase than young children, so we adjust our approach to reflect this. Here are some of the main differences in how we work with teens.

Less involvement in the therapy process. While we honor your role in your child's life, it's also important for teens to start seeking independence. Building a relationship with another trusted adult can support their personal growth. We involve parents as necessary and encourage teens to talk to their parents about their emotions, but we also respect teens' autonomy and privacy.
A consensual agreement. On a similar note, we also require that teens be interested in therapy themselves. We don't provide mandated sessions.
Parenting support. You're bound to encounter some challenging times when parenting a teen. Getting support from our expert clinicians and other parents of teens can help you navigate these challenges—and lean into the fun parts!
Varying lengths of time in therapy. Teens' needs are often more individualized and complex than those of the little ones we work with due to their developmental stage. This means that teens may spend more time in therapy. We recommend meeting for eight weeks to start, though we work with each client to customize their treatment plan.

If you still have questions about our approach to working with children and teens, we invite you to reach out.

Why choose our Greenwich child therapists

We believe that finding the right fit for your family is essential. Here are a few reasons to consider working with us.

We specialize in helping gifted and highly sensitive kids. While all children are unique, gifted and sensitive kiddos have special needs and strengths that require intentional support. We're highly trained experts who specialize in helping sensitive, gifted children and their families thrive.
We believe that successful treatment involves the entire family. Even when it seems like only one member of the family is struggling, their challenges can have ripple effects for the entire family. Our approach offers support to both children and families in order to help the whole unit come together.
We focus on building relationships. Relationships are at the core of our work. We build strong connections with each of the children, teens, and families we work with, and our goal is to help our families build healthy, authentic relationships with each other.

Still not sure if we're the right family therapist for you? Get in touch today for a free consultation.

When another therapy practice might be a better fit

As much as we'd love to help every family, we recognize that we may not always be the right fit. Here are some signs to consider working with a different family therapy practice.

You need free therapy. We know that many families experience financial barriers. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer no-cost therapy services at this time. However, we are committed to providing high-quality support that helps your family grow in a shorter period of time than traditional therapy models, which can save you money in the long run.
You're looking for a service we don't offer. We have a range of different services to meet your family's needs, including therapy for children and adults, parent coaching, and courses. However, some services and issues are out of our scope of practice. You may consider working with another local practice, such as Greenwich Psychology Group, if you need treatment for eating disorders or a psychological evaluation for attention deficit disorder. We also do not offer child or adolescent psychiatry.
You're not ready or able to commit to the process. The hectic pace of family life can make it feel difficult to carve out extra time in your schedule. If you're unable to commit to our twelve-week process, our child therapy services may not be the right fit. Consider one of our self-paced courses instead!

If you're still not sure whether our practice is right for you, we invite you to reach out.

FAQs about therapy for children in Greenwich, CT

What type of therapy is best for children?

There are many types of therapy that can be used with children, including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more. All can be effective as long as they are administered by a licensed professional counselor or other mental health professional.

At Rooted Rhythm™️, we primarily use play therapy methods. We believe this approach allows us to meet children where they are and give them vital tools needed to express themselves. You can learn more about play therapy on the Association for Play Therapy website.

What age is play therapy for?

Play therapy can be effectively used with people of any age. While we specialize in helping children ages 2-12, we also incorporate play therapy methods with teens when appropriate. Play therapy gives children and teens (and even adults!) another option to express themselves when big feelings and stressful situations can make it difficult to communicate effectively.

Is therapy worth it for kids?

Yes! Whether your child is navigating major life changes, experiencing social challenges, or struggling to cope with big feelings, therapy can be a safe, constructive place where they can be seen and supported. Plus, our approach gives parents the opportunity to engage in their own growth, which can strengthen the entire family unit.

Our Greenwich child therapists can give your family the support you need to grow.

Ready to get started? Our child therapists are here to support you and your family. Reach out today to start the process with your free consultation!

Office Address

100 Melrose Ave, Suite 101 | Greenwich, CT 06830