Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Palatine, IL.

Children face many challenges today that can seem overwhelming. Often they have difficulty expressing their feelings properly and/or managing their behavior. As a family specialist, I employ a variety of child-friendly strategies to help children learn how to confront their challenges and exercise control over their thoughts, feelings and behavior. I am a contributing author on the subject of play therapy in two clinical books and have a playroom filled with puppets, arts, sand tray, an imaginative games that provide a means for children to engage in counseling as a positive experience.

I am incredibly passionate about working with children as young as 3 years old, up to adolescence and the teenage years. I work with children, and collaborate with their loved ones, regarding various difficulties. I help children with the following concerns: depression, anxiety, school-stress, familial-stress, survivors of trauma, survivors of sexual assault, PTSD, grief and loss, and life-transitions/adjustments. With very young children, I utilize child-centered play therapy, especially with children going through trauma, divorcing parents, and other incredibly sensitive situations. I also strive to incorporate art therapy as well; using effective interventions for each unique child.

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.

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.

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)

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.

Children are amazing and are far more intelligent, emotional and in tune to their surroundings than we often give credit for! For example, children use play to express and reflect their internal thoughts and emotions - Play IS work for the growing child, and observation of play is one of the most effective ways to gain insight to a child's inner emotions. We accomplish this communication and connetion with your child through Play therapy. Play therapy is useful in addressing: * Social Challenges * Adjustment to separation from parents. * Unresolved or suspected trauma & abuse * Anxiety * Anger * Aggression * Sudden life changes * Behavioral issues. * Potty We treat children ages 1 &up

I have counseled children from ages 5 through 12 in both individual and group settings for several years. My approach in working with young children is to create an atmosphere of trust, rapport and fun, and I use play therapy and art therapy to build that trust and rapport. I have helped more children in counseling playing board games, sports or anything that allows them to want to talk to me, because I care about who they are and what they need to do if they are to trust me and talk to me, with honest and sincerity, and with a gut-level trust that I care about them and want only the best for their lives.

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.

Are you worried about your child? Is your child stressed? I'm here to help! I specialize in working with youth ages 3-25. Young children tend to communicate through their actions, and it's the adults' job to figure out what they are saying. I support both the child and the parent. Even good parents need support sometimes! Play therapy and Theraplay (working on parent-child connection) are two helpful types of therapies I do to assist stressed kids. Counseling is one of the most loving things you can do for a child. Give me a call today and we can figure out together what is causing your child distress and start right away on making life more fulfilling for you and your child.

Home Psych Services, P.C. provides expert, targeting assessment and treatment for children as young as three years of age. Our staff of child specialized social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are able to manage the multitude of emotional / behavioral problems typically seen in young children including separation anxiety, problems with eating / sleeping, attachment issues, depression, anxiety, and defiance. Home Psych Services, P.C. makes getting help for your young chldren convenient - bringing the clinic into your home. We eliminate the problems with getting your young child to the doctor's office.

I have worked with children parents and families for many years. Play therapy is an excellent way to help children process difficult emotions. Play therapy is used with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. As children’s experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important vehicle for them to know and accept themselves and others.