Child Therapy

in Portland, OR

Is Your Child Struggling and You're Not Sure How to Help?

Maybe your child is having difficulty adjusting to divorce, grief, trauma, or other major changes. You might not even know what’s going on, but you just have a sense that they aren’t their usual selves and you’re concerned.

Children experience stressors that can feel enormous to them, even if they appear small to adults. School pressure, friendship conflict, developmental changes, and family transitions can all contribute to emotional or behavioral challenges. When these patterns persist, they can interfere with a child’s ability to learn, play, and connect with others.

As a parent, it is incredibly painful to watch your child struggle and feel unsure how to help. You may wonder whether this is a phase or something that needs more support. You may question your parenting or worry about what this could mean for your child’s future.

You may have tried everything you can think of to help. When challenges begin interfering with sleep, school, friendships, or family relationships, it may be time tp get counseling for your child. Evidence-based child therapy, grounded in science and delivered with compassion, can help your child or teen develop the skills to understand and manage their emotions, build resilience, and rediscover their natural capacity for joy.

Your Child Is Not Alone—And Neither Are You

Childhood mental health challenges are far more common than most parents realize. According to research, one in six children aged 2-8 has a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Anxiety affects approximately seven percent of children ages 3-17, and depression is increasingly recognized in young children even though it often doesn’t look the same way it does in adults. Many more kids experience other kinds of struggles that significantly impact their daily lives.

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Understanding Why Children Struggle

Humans, including the younger ones, are complex, and there are many reasons why a child might develop emotional or behavioral difficulties. Anyone who offers you a single cause is oversimplifying. Contributing factors can include genetics, temperament, family circumstances, and environmental factors such as significant transitions, grief and loss, trauma, bullying, academic pressure, and more.

Sometimes, well-meaning parenting approaches can accidentally reinforce problematic patterns. This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong; these dynamics are common and difficult to recognize without professional help. Seeking counseling for children is a sign of good parenting, not failure.

Early Intervention Makes a Difference

Children are remarkably resilient. With the right support, they can develop skills that serve them throughout their lives. Research shows that child therapy can be highly effective when using evidence-based approaches. Getting thearpy early for your kid can prevent more serious mental health issues in adolescence and adulthood.

The good news is that with compassionate, knowledgeable child therapy, your family can find support. Together, we can help your child build emotional strength and give you the tools to help them thrive.

Our Approach to Helping Children

At Portland Psychotherapy, our child therapy services offer evidence-based therapy for children, using methods proven effective for young people. We begin with a thorough assessment to understand your child’s specific needs, strengths, and circumstances. We use evidence-based methods grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other cognitive-behavioral approaches, adapted for young children. We also incorporate play therapy, art, and hands-on activities that engage children in ways that feel natural and comfortable.

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 1-5), therapy often centers on parent participation. We work with you on play-based interventions and help you develop new strategies for the challenges you’re seeing at home. Some common concerns we address include sleep problems, toileting difficulties, and disruptive behaviors. You’ll be actively involved in sessions, and the skills you practice with your child between appointments are often where the most meaningful change happens.

For school-aged children (ages 6-12), therapy combines individual work with your child and regular parent involvement. Sessions often mix conversation with hands-on activities that help children understand and express their feelings. We teach practical coping skills, tools for identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns, and strategies for building positive relationships. Between sessions, practicing these skills in everyday situations is a key part of how children make real progress.

What Happens in Sessions

Your child will learn to identify and name their emotions, understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and develop healthy ways to cope with stress. We help children build confidence, improve social skills, and process challenging experiences in age-appropriate ways.

As a parent, you’re an essential partner in this process. We’ll work with you to set clear goals, track your child’s progress, and adjust our approach as needed. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies to use at home. When we are working in counseling with kids, we ensure families feel fully supported and informed throughout the process. When appropriate, we also collaborate with your child’s school, pediatrician, or psychiatrist for coordinated care.

Why Portland Psychotherapy

At Portland Psychotherapy, we’ve been providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment for children ages 1-12 and their families since 2007. Our therapists are expert licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists with specialized training in child development and evidence-based treatments. What sets us apart is our scientist-practitioner model: we are not only a therapy clinic but also a research center that is at the forefront of advances in mental health. This means you’re getting care informed by the latest science, delivered by experienced clinicians.

We’ve worked with hundreds of families over nearly two decades, delivering child anxiety treatment, behavioral support, childhood trauma therapy, and childhood depression treatment, helping children develop the emotional resilience they need to thrive. When families commit to the process, we consistently see meaningful, lasting change.

At Portland Psychotherapy we are committed to providing exceptional care that is:

Evidence-based

Grounded in what scientific research says actually works.

Personalized

Tailored to your unique concerns, values, and background.

Compassionate

Delivered by therapists who understand that when a child or teen is struggling it doesn’t mean they are broken; it means that they are human. And sometimes, all of us humans need some outside help.

Inclusive

Affirming and welcoming to all identities, including LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and those in our BIPOC communities.

Common Questions About Child Therapy.

Will therapy make my child think something is wrong with them?

Therapy is designed to be a positive, supportive experience. For younger children, sessions often involve play and activities they genuinely enjoy. Our child psychologists and child therapists create a warm, safe environment where children feel comfortable. Therapy doesn’t label a child as broken. Instead, it gives them valuable skills and helps them understand their feelings in ways that empower them. Many children actually look forward to their sessions and feel proud of what they’re learning.

How do I know if my child really needs therapy, or if this is just normal kid stuff they'll outgrow?

If you’re wondering whether your child needs a therapist or counselor, that concern is worth exploring. During our initial assessment, we’ll conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether therapy would be beneficial. Even if your child’s challenges seem “normal,” therapy can provide tools that help them navigate difficulties more easily and build lifelong skills. We’ll give you an honest assessment, and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll help connect you with appropriate resources.

Therapy is expensive. Can we afford this, and will insurance cover it?

We understand that cost is a real concern for families. Many of our therapists are in-network with some insurers, and we can work with all insurance plans’ out-of-network benefits. We can help you understand your options and costs before you begin. Investing in your child’s mental health now can prevent more serious and more costly challenges in the future.

Portland Psychotherapy

Help Your Child Build Emotional Strength and Resilience

You don’t have to navigate your child’s struggles alone. Our specialists provide the evidence-based support your child needs to develop confidence, manage challenges, and thrive.

We offer a free phone consultation to answer your questions and help you determine if our services are right for your family. We hope you’ll contact us by phone, email, or through our online scheduling system. Taking this step is one of the most loving things you can do for your child—and we’re here to support you both every step of the way.

3719 N Williams Ave,
Portland, OR 97227