Child Therapy

Feeling words and illustrations on a cork board.

Please note that I am currently not accepting new therapy clients. Check out my About page for more information.

Have you noticed your child having a hard time? Maybe they seem sad and reserved, worried and anxious, or angry and inconsolable. They may be arguing a lot, doing things they usually don’t do, or not doing things they usually enjoy. They could be going through a difficult change such as a move, a loss, a change in family structure, or they just need some additional support.

Therapy can provide support for children who are experiencing emotional turbulence and life stressors. The familial relationship is often infused with love and, as such, commonly has high stakes for children, as they often seek to please or protect their loved ones from their big feelings. The therapeutic relationship can provide enough emotional distance for children to explore emotions such as shame, anger, guilt, or fear without worrying about the impact it may have on the therapist.

How I work with children

My approach when working with children is eclectic, incorporating child-centered, relational, and experiential techniques. When beginning with a child, I utilize child centered play therapy to provide the child space to explore themself and their inner world. As the child begins to share about their concerns, I incorporate relational and experiential techniques to provide a reparative experience and support resolution. Some of these techniques include sand tray, role play, somatic prompting, expressive arts, and mindfulness. Additionally, depending on the child’s needs and developmental level, I may also incorporate dialectical-behavioral or cognitive-behavioral tools to support exploration and integration.

I use an integrative approach when working with a child, which includes regular check-ins with important adults in the child’s life. This helps me stay informed about important events in the child’s life and provides an opportunity for me to offer family-centered support if needed.

Filial Therapy

Depending on your child’s needs, I may also explore the benefits of filial therapy with you. Filial therapy is a structured attachment-based therapy with the child and one or more caregiver. Filial therapy supports the child to express feelings and needs to their loved one with my direct support and guidance of the caregiver.

To find out more about my work, visit my About page .

Who I work with

I have experience working with children from a diversity of identities, including along the lines of race, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, ability, and socio-economic status. I have worked with children in foster care, adoptive homes, kin caregiver homes, blended families, and single parent families. I may be a particularly good fit for children who are:

  • In adoptive, kin caregiver, or foster homes
  • Trans, non-binary, and gender diverse
  • Neurodivergent, including with ADHD and Autism (my services will address emotional or behavioral concerns or stressors and are not direct ADHD or Autism services, although I can provide support with school-related needs including IEP meetings)
  • Exploring their identities and relational orientations

Rey Byrne, LMFT #2021043650
314.455.6799
rey@rootsandrosestherapy.com