Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Ocean Ridge, FL.

I have always had a passion for working with kids, and find that when a child feels heard and validated, they open up and connect very easily. I never pressure a child to talk to me, and instead discuss mutual interests and fun activities as a way to build rapport. Typically, I find that when a child is empowered with the skills to manage his or her emotions and communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively, they walk through the world with a different level of confidence and more willingness to make healthy choices. This often comes with making small tweaks to the home environment so that parents are children are connecting in a healthier and more effective way.

So many child behavior and parenting problems simply vanish, once we understand a few basics. Children are not small adults, and should not be expected to respond the way adults do. Children, like everyone else, respond beautifully to praise, love and reward. By contrast, punishment creates only resentment and the motivation to not get caught. All the particulars flow from these simple truths. Even the most defiant and disrespectful children can quickly come around, if we simply pay a little more attention to connecting praise and rewards to desirable behavior, and withholding them for unwanted behavior.

GRIT Kids exists to allow parents or caregivers to aid their children in the work of self-awareness—at every developmental stage— to better understand themselves and the world around them. Simple behavioral management fails to develop the internal locus of control that is necessary for developing character and self-discipline. Forming a self-identity and learning to live with purpose is a necessary life skill for children to learn in order to live into their fullest self. GRIT Kids Coaches are trained to help you do the work of raising your child with intention so you can see that little person grow into all they are capable of.

Small children aged 3 to 8 typically do not participate in family therapy because the vast majority of therapists consider such children too young to articulate their feelings or understand complex patterns of behavior. Butler thinks otherwise, as she perfects her skills using an approach called narrative therapy. Often described as “post-modern,” narrative therapy allows clients to put away old, tired versions of the stories they tell themselves [and everybody else] about their lives. Playing more to the clients’ strengths than their weaknesses, the approach urges clients to see themselves as much more than the presenting problem and to identify ways in which they are already taking steps

Diana offers dedicated support when working with young children, teens, or tweens. Let's face it: raising children is not for the faint of heart, and they do not come with an instruction manual. In today's world, our children face more challenges than we did growing up, and Diana helps curate the needs and concerns of each parent. Diana offers parenting classes for young children, teens & tweens. Successful therapy with children involves working primarily with the parents. Therefore, Diana works with parents to strengthen their hierarchy and structure, which will only help their unique relationship with their child (or children). Parenting doesn't have to feel so difficult & puzzling.

I provide counseling services to children ages ten and up. I have worked with teens in addiction treatment centers. Working with children and teens who have experienced trauma I find the use of Sandtray therapy useful in helping to breakdown the walls. When vocalizing the trauma is difficult, the sensory approach has proven to be most useful. I work with teens whose parents are divorcing, and with teens who are changing schools, or going off to college and are experiencing difficult with the changes.

Working with children can be complicated because of two primary factors. The first factor deals with the fact that children are dependent on adults. Their own problems affect them, and adults' (parents') issues and behaviors affect them. The question is: how does one determine whether the children's problems are coming from them or from their environment? Parental involvement in the therapy process is paramount for the success of children in therapy. Parents can help by talking about the behaviors their children are experiencing as well as the context of those behaviors. With the help of the parents, as a therapist, I can help to modify and coach through new parenting behaviors.

Although it’s a hard pill to swallow, I’ve found that young children often display anxiety, disobedience, and other problem-behaviors because they are absorbing chaos within the home... often because the parents haven’t dealt with their own issues. This isn’t a judgment. Parenting is tough. But if you’re looking for someone to “fix” your kid, I’m not your guy. However, if you’re open to parent coaching, and willing to work on individual healing and/or strengthening your marriage, I’m here to help. At Lion Counseling, our mission is to help you escape the cages that hold you back and become the lion God created you to be.

Many times, child therapists overdo the family system in their quest to seek effective solutions for emotional, learning or behavioral concerns with young children. And many times doctors overpathologize issues that shouldn’t be medicated necessarily. This leaves parents wondering what is the best route for their child? Introducing brainwave optimization technology. A fast, effective, natural, and less expensive way to allow your child's brain to make the optimizing changes it desires to make---on its own! Without any external force, opinion, medication, diagnostic, etc. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.