Child and Behavioral Therapy
Having concern for your child’s well-being is perfectly normal.
Have you noticed your child having difficulty concentrating, or showing hyperactivity? Perhaps you’ve observed them experiencing struggles with social interactions, or general communication difficulties.
Anything that affects your child’s development, whether emotional, social, or behavioral, may benefit from professional attention.
Challenges Conquered Counseling Services has dedicated therapists who provide compassionate treatment for the unique needs of children. Let us give your children a safe, nurturing environment where they can acquire the skills they need to thrive.
What Is Child Therapy?
Child therapy is psychological counseling designed specifically for children and adolescents. It involves working with a therapist to guide children in expressing their feelings, understanding their thoughts, and developing coping mechanisms.
Generally, the goal of child and behavioral therapy is to enable kids to process emotions in a healthy way, improve their self-esteem, and enhance interpersonal skills. This service is not necessarily a “last resort” but rather an essential tool for promoting mental health and well-being in children.
How Child Therapy Works
Child therapy sessions are engaging and supportive, with therapists using the following specialized techniques:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): operates on the principle that by becoming more conscious of one’s thoughts and emotions, individuals can effectively manage their reactions to them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): commonly treats borderline personality disorder, yet its application extends to children across different ages and issues.
Play Therapy: leverages children’s natural inclination to play within a nurturing and engaging environment.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): involves observing parents interacting with their children. After monitoring for some time, therapists offer coaching to foster more positive parent-child interactions
Family Therapy: brings together parents, children, and other family members, enhancing communication and mutual understanding.
Behavior Therapy: modifies the child’s surroundings and social interactions to foster self-regulation.
Benefits of Child Therapy
Child therapy offers numerous benefits, including the following:
Improved coping skills
Enhanced communication
Behavioral improvement
Boosted self-esteem
Family support
Who Can Benefit from Child Therapy?
Child therapy can help parents and children navigate the following:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Behavioral issues
our Approach
At Challenges Conquered Counseling Services, Morgan Parker, RMHCI, provides holistic support for children through evidence-based child therapy techniques. Morgan specializes in working with children navigating ADHD, autism, OCD, ODD, and behavioral issues.
We know that mental and behavioral challenges may have the same diagnosis but affect each child uniquely. As such, we approach each case with an open mind and a tailored treatment plan.
Further, we believe in the importance of collaboration and support from parents and caregivers throughout the process. Our team works closely with families to build effective strategies they can implement at home. We also provide resources and guidance to continue supporting their child’s progress even outside of therapy sessions.
Child and behavioral therapy in Fort Lauderdale, in short
Child and behavioral therapy is counseling built for kids: play, conversation, and practical skills, with parents involved along the way. At Challenges Conquered Counseling, Morgan Parker, RMHCI, sees children at our Fort Lauderdale office, 800 E Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 431, and families can ask about secure telehealth. Call (954) 600-9403 to ask about a first visit.
What the first visit looks like for a parent
Most parents arrive worried and unsure how much to say. The first conversation is for you: what you have noticed, when it started, what school and home look like, and what you have already tried. Your child does not need to be told it is a big deal. We help you describe the visit in plain, calm words, such as a place to talk, play, and learn tools for big feelings.
After that, sessions with your child are paced to their age and comfort. Younger children often work through play and drawing, while older kids talk more directly. Parents get regular updates and simple things to practice at home, so the progress does not stay in the office.
Signs families tell us about
Every child shows stress differently. These are some of the things parents mention when they call:
Meltdowns that seem out of proportion to what set them off
Trouble settling down, focusing, or finishing tasks at school
Dreading school, or stomachaches on school mornings
Pulling away from friends or struggling to make them
Big reactions to change, such as a move, divorce, or new sibling
Sleep trouble, clinginess, or worry that is hard to talk through
None of these on its own says what is going on, and a few tough weeks are part of growing up. If it has lasted or is wearing down the whole household, that is a good time to call.
How we work alongside parents
Children do best when the adults around them are on the same page. That means shared goals, one consistent set of tools, and honest updates about what is working. Parents are not blamed for what is hard, and you are not expected to fix it alone. If tension between the adults at home is part of the picture, our couples therapy page describes how we support partners at the same time.
For older children moving into the teen years, the conversation changes: more privacy, more independence, and different tools. Our page on teen and adolescent therapy in Florida explains how we handle that stage, so a growing child has a smooth path forward.
Getting started
Many major insurance plans are accepted, and we check your benefits before your first appointment. Call (954) 600-9403 or request an appointment online, and tell us your child's age and what you have noticed so we can match you with the right therapist. Therapy is not an emergency service: if a child is in immediate danger, call or text 988, or call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
There is no single sign. If a worry, behavior, or mood has lasted several weeks, is getting in the way of school, friendships, or home life, or has you concerned, it is reasonable to call. A short conversation can help you decide on a next step.
Will I be in the room during sessions?
It depends on your child's age and the work. Parents are usually part of the first visit and often join for parts of later sessions. Your therapist explains the plan up front and keeps you informed of progress.
What if my child will not talk?
That is very common, and it is why we use play, drawing, and activities for younger children. A therapist will not push. Trust builds first, and the talking tends to follow once the room feels safe.
What ages do you see for child therapy?
Share your child's age and what you have noticed when you call, and we will tell you whether child therapy or our teen services fit best. Different ages need different conversations, and we match the therapist and approach to the stage.
Does insurance cover child therapy?
Many major insurance plans are accepted, and coverage depends on your plan. We check your benefits before the first visit and tell you what to expect, so call (954) 600-9403 if you want to confirm first.
Get Started Today
There is never shame in seeking support; you have the right to get help as a parent as much as your child has the right to a happier childhood. Let us give your children’s growth and well-being the attention they deserve!
Challenges Conquered Counseling Services is always eager to serve you, from your first appointment through the journey toward children being more resilient and physically and mentally healthier. Call (954) 600-9403 or schedule an appointment online.
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