Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Lakewood, IL.

Young children can often leave parents struggling to understand them and their behaviors. Many parents become frustrated and feel helpless when their children are acting out or struggling. I work with parents to help them understand what their child might be going through from a developmental perspective and provide parents with tools they can use to help improve their parenting relationship with their children. While some children may still need to see a child psychologist, many children show improvements with these changes and the parent child bond is strengthened.

While not everyone may look forward to counseling, it is essential that young ones enjoy the counselor and the process. We engage children by expanding on their interests, strengths, and talents. We want them to feel special. Presenting the counselor as a coach is helpful. Kids understand the role of a coach and it is easier to accept the reason for going to counseling. We address a wide variety of concerns with the intention of changing difficult behavior that is actually stressful for the child, not just the parent. Careful assessment is required for anger display, overwhelming anxiety, or loss of self-esteem, and when distinguishing between ADHD, autism, and other behavioral issues.

Families play an important role in children’s healing processes. The interaction between children’s problems and their families is always complex. Sometimes children develop problems as a way of signaling that there is something wrong in the family. Other times the entire family becomes distressed because the child’s problems are so disruptive. In all cases, children and families heal faster when they work together. The play therapist will make some decisions about how and when to involve some or all members of the family in the play therapy. At a minimum, the therapist will want to communicate regularly with the child’s caretakers to develop a plan for resolving problems as they are identified and to monitor the progress of the treatment. Other options...(view profile to read more)

Parenting can lead to you to experience the greatest of joys and the deepest of valleys. The stresses of having young children can leave you depleted and overwhelmed. The challenges of some childhood disorders can leave you feeling powerless. My approach is to carefully assess the issues your child is facing and find appropriate solutions and support for your child.You will always be included and supported in comprehensive treatment goals. My goal is to have you once again experience joy and laughter as you raise your child. To accomplish this, I can utilize non-traditional alternative therapies such as art, play and equine assisted psychotherapy.

Play therapy or using play as part of the modality of communication in therapy is particularly useful when providing treatment to young children. Play is important to young children in that it is a vehicle to help them understand and process the world and others. When I see young children in therapy, I also work with the child's parents/care givers; provide psycho-education on various topics including parenting and normal childhood development; and discuss each child's strengths and challenges. Academic tutoring available.

Young children and their parents can benefit from counseling with Kari Hunter. Whether your child is struggling with a normal developmental stage or a true social, emotional, or behavioral disorder, Ms. Hunter works closely with parents to understand the unique circumstances of your family and the specific personality of your child. Creative and practical strategies are suggested based on 25 years of working with young children and their parents.