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Children (ages 1-9)

Therapists In Denver And Nearby Specializing In Children (ages 1-9)

Children and Mental Health (Ages 1-9)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health is an important part of overall health for everyone, including children. Many adults who have mental disorders could have shown symptoms during childhood and adolescence that may have gone unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

A licensed therapist or counselor can help children and families understand what is going on to effectively address issues that arise and provide the necessary support. Early treatment can help prevent more serious issues from arising in the future. In fact, when some adults reflect back on their childhood during therapy sessions, they tend to remember symptoms of their then-undiagnosed disorders and how it affected them when they were younger.

 

Common Reasons and Signs to Take your Child to Counseling

Concerned parents may hear from others that warning signs are “just a stage” or that “the child will grow out of it,” but that is not always the case. There are many reasons parents choose to take their children to therapy. Some of these reasons look similar to those seen in adolescents and adults. Here are some of the more common reasons and signs that lead parents to begin child counseling:

  • Constantly bring up things they fear and worries they have
  • Change in sleep routine- sleeping too much or too little
  • Experiencing nightmares regularly
  • Struggling at school or academically declining
  • Change in appetite- eating too much or too little
  • Acting violently towards things, other individuals or animals
  • Obsessively repeating tasks in fear that something bad will happen if they are not completed
  • Thoughts or attempts of hurting themselves or suicide
  • Being extremely irritable and easy to anger
  • Complains of physical pain, although having a healthy medical report
  • Withdrawing from social activity or friends they used to enjoy spending time with

Types of Childhood Therapy

There are various types of therapy that a therapist may choose to move forward with, depending on the child. These offer individualized options to help treat and prevent issues that a child may be showing signs of.

  • Play therapy
    • In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the child by interpreting play behavior and communication. The therapist watches the child to better understand their emotional and mental health. Therapists use different types of child’s play to help the child figure out, express and manage their feelings.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
    • According to Everyday Health, this is a form of counseling where children are taught how their own thoughts can affect their mood and behavior. Children are shown how to identify these negative thoughts and patterns and replace them with positive ones.
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy
    • Psychodynamic psychotherapy may differ based on the child’s age. In this type of therapy, therapists listen to the child talk through their issues, with the theory in mind that once the struggles have been spoken out loud, the child’s behavior will improve. 
  • Behavior therapy
    • This type of therapy is similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy, but differs in that it focuses on modifying behaviors. This type of therapy helps children and their parents identify behaviors that need to be discouraged and encouraged to help create a change. According to Everyday Health, parents may be utilized to help alter the environmental factors that may contribute to these behaviors.

Arranging Child Counseling

A thorough evaluation with a licensed professional can help parents determine whether treatment is necessary and which treatment type may be most effective. An evaluation and therapy treatments can be good avenues to learning more about a child’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Young children can be successfully treated today through various methods, including therapy and counseling. The therapists displayed below specialize in treating young children, are credentialed with various insurance companies, and have varied availability to meet most client needs.

Jaurene Blacklock's headshot indoors
Jaurene Blacklock , CAS / LPC

Available on 10/23/2024 at 12:00 PM Available on 10/23/2024 at 12:00 PM

Offers sessions only online

- Average patient rating

Aurora therapist, Jaurene Blacklock, LPC, CACIII, is a veteran therapist who sees adults, children, families, couples, and adolescents....

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Bonnie Mucklow
Bonnie Mucklow , CAS / LMFT / LPC

Available on 10/31/2024 at 11:00 AM Available on 10/31/2024 at 11:00 AM

Offers sessions in-person and online

- Average patient rating

Online sessions not available for kids under 9 years old.

Greenwood Village therapist, Bonnie Mucklow, is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPC)...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 7000 E. Belleview Ave. Suite 203, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Photo of therapist Shana Dobson, sitting in a chair, smiling with a coffee cup.
Shana Dobson , CAS / LPC / MA

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

I’m so proud of you for taking this step in your journey to seeking mental peace. I am an inclusive person with many identities...

Gender: Woman

Ethnicity: Black or African American

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session , No Physical Location, CO

Headshot of Therapist Natalie Dodd smiling
Natalie Dodd , LCSW / MSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

My name is Natalie Dodd, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the field. Throughout my career...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 8400 E Crescent Pkwy #628, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Marie Spence
Marie Spence , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Our lives can be complicated, messy, and create burdens which sometimes feel like too much to bear. But life can also be beautiful, profound,...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • 5460 Ward Road, Suite 305, Arvada , CO 80002

Denver Della Lucia
Denver Della Lucia , LPC / MS

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Hello, I’m Denver Della Lucia, a compassionate and dedicated counselor with over a decade of experience in the mental health field....

Gender: Man

Pronouns: He/Him

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Maggie McEachern
Maggie McEachern , LCSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Maggie McEachern is an attachment-focused, expressive therapist who works with all ages  (three years old and up). Her work is grounded...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: Prefer not to Share

  • 5606 Olde Wadsworth Blvd suite 203, Arvada, CO 8002

Katie Kelley
Katie Kelley , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Regis University. I provide psychotherapy...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 950 Wadsworth Blvd. Suite 305, Lakewood, CO 80214

Demitra Goodloe
Demitra Goodloe , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Eagle’s Eye View provides a different perspective on life challenges. I have been a therapist for over 15 years, and strongly believe...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 12101 E 2nd Ave, Aurora, CO 80011

Kristin Foslid
Kristin Foslid , LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and EMDR trained therapist. I obtained my Master’s degree in 2014. I have been in the field...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 1660 S. Albion Street, Suite 600, Denver, CO 80222

Jaime_Grainger_headshot
Jaime Grainger , LMFT

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

While this is about you and your therapeutic journey, I firmly believe that the most important part of therapy is the relationship between...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

Marjorie Laird , CAS / LMFT / LPC

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Seeing children over 8 years old.

I have been in private practice seeing children, teens, adults, couples, and families for over twenty years.  I am a Licensed Professional...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 950 Wadsworth Blvd #202, Lakewood , CO 80214