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Children (ages 10-12)

Therapists In Denver And Nearby Specializing In Children (ages 10-12)

Children and Mental Health (Ages 10-12)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health is an important part of overall health for everyone, including preteens (children ages 10 through 12). Many adults who have mental disorders could have shown symptoms during childhood and adolescence that may have gone unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

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A licensed therapist or counselor can help preteens 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 adolescence 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 adolescent will grow out of it,” but that is not always the case. There are many reasons parents choose to take their adolescent to therapy. Some of these reasons look similar to those seen in adults. Here are some of the more common reasons and signs that lead parents to begin child counseling:

  • Smoking, drinking or are using drugs
  • 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
  • Worries of weight gain- dieting or excessively working out
  • 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
  • Spending an increased amount of time alone- withdrawing from social activity they used to enjoy

Types of Childhood Therapy

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

  • Play therapy
    • In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the adolescent by interpreting play behavior and communication. The therapist watches the adolescent to better understand their emotional and mental health. Therapists use different types of adolescent’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 preteens are taught how their own thoughts can affect their mood and behavior. Preteens 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 adolescent’s age. In this type of therapy, therapists listen to the adolescent talk through their issues, with the theory in mind that once the struggles have been spoken out loud, the adolescent’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 preteens 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 an adolescent’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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

Tina Cushman
Tina Cushman , LPC

Available on 11/5/2024 at 12:00 PM Available on 11/5/2024 at 12:00 PM

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

Prefers in-person sessions, specializes in children and teens.

Tina Cushman has extensive clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families in inpatient/residential,...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 7400 E ARAPAHOE RD SUITE 140, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112

Headshot of Therapist Nina Respeto, standing outside, smiling, wearing a black jacket
Nina Respeto , LCSW / MSW

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

As humans, we are subjected to the many ups, and downs life throws at us. One of my favorite quotes that I use as a core principle to...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Sessions, No Physical Location, CO

August Tousignant-Stanton Headshot
August Tousignant-Stanton , LCSW / LMFT

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

As a licensed marriage and family therapist & licensed clinical social worker, I help you show up for yourself, your relationship,...

Gender: Agender

Pronouns: They/Them

  • 3600 S Yosemite St, Ste 1050, Denver, CO 80224

Photo of provider Julie Bledsoe, standing in an office, smiling, wearing a floral shirt.
Julie Bledsoe , LPC / MA

Offers sessions only online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

My name is Julie Bledsoe and I have been in the mental health field for six years after working a career in sports. My specialties lie...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • Online Therapy Session, No Physical Location, CO

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/They/Them

  • Online Therapy Session , No Physical Location, CO

Photo of therapist Ronna Evans standing outside, smiling
Ronna Evans , LCSW / MSW

Offers sessions in-person and online

Additional ratings needed to generate average

I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and often use mindfulness practices along with relaxation techniques during sessions....

  • 1650 38th St. #100E, Boulder, CO 80301

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

Therapist Huiling Pritchett's professional headshot wearing a teal top outdoors
Huiling Pritchett , MA

Offers sessions in-person and online

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Huiling has effectively worked with many clients for anxiety and depression, trauma therapy, and couple relationship issues.

...

Gender: Woman

Pronouns: She/Her

  • 8500 W Bowles Ave Suite 315, Littleton, CO 80123

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

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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

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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