Children + Teens
Being a child or teen can feel like trying to grow up in a world that expects you to act like a tiny adult, even when your brain and emotions are still learning how to work together.
School, friendships, and family dynamics can be overwhelming—especially when big feelings hit hard and there aren’t always words to explain them. Kids and teens often feel pressure to be “good,” “mature,” or “easy,” while carrying stress, fear, or sadness that adults may not see. The challenge isn’t that they’re too much—it’s that they’re still becoming, and they need support, patience, and safe spaces to figure out who they are.
Common Experiences
Difficulties with relationships
Acting out behaviors
Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn response
Struggles with transitions
Emotional dysregulation
Low self-esteem/body image issues
How We Can Help
-
Children and teens don’t have a lot of control, a big factor in behavioral issues, so we look for areas to empower and give your child a sense of agency and a voice (one that’s assertive and communicative, not just sarcastic).
-
In the age of TikTok, Instagram, and social media in general, it’s impossible to find a kid or teen who isn’t effected by all the impossible standards of body image, perfectionism, and success thrown out there. We will work to help your child find their own sense of self and embrace their unique characteristics and personality.
-
We will explore what sensory needs your child has, figuring out the basics from eating, hydrating, sleeping down to how they ground themselves and engage in mindfulness and do daily practices.
-
We want your child to form healthy relationships as an adult, so we understand the importance of developing empathy, compassion, gratitude and kindness to build and maintain healthy attachments at a young age.
Neuroaffirming Practices for Children
-
Developmentally Focused
Assessing and working with the actual emotional age to create realistic goals that are attainable regardless of the chronological age. We understand the importance of involving the family in the process of understanding their child’s needs and see the parents/caregivers as the experts who can collaborate with us to help their child thrive.
-
Play Therapy
Through Sand Tray, play therapy, art therapy and other creative outlets including AutPlay, we rely on hands-on learning and playing to explore emotions, thoughts, and reactions. Whether in person or telehealth, we find strategies to engage children in a sensory-friendly manner that utilizes all parts of the brain.
-
Behavioral Strategies
We do not do ABA practices but do pull from behavioral interventions such as modeling, role playing, social skills training, and redirecting and shaping behaviors. We modify Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to recognize that some of the thoughts are rational and do not always need to be replaced or challenged.
Available Clinicans for Children Up to age 12
-
![Woman smiling in desert landscape with cacti and mountains in background.]()
Alex Baxter, LPC
Waitlist - in office + telehealth
Accepts Aetna, UHC, Oxford, Oscar, ESA + cashpay/HSA
Ages 3+, adults & families. -
![A woman with short blonde hair wearing a green dress with a floral pattern, standing with arms crossed in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Bria, Intern Therapist
Available via telehealth + office
Accepts cash pay/HSA + sliding scale
Ages 8+ and adults -
![Woman smiling in desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Maya, Intern Therapist
Available via telehealth + office in May
Accepts cash pay/HSA + sliding scale
Ages 8+ and adults -
![Person in a green shirt standing in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Crystal, LPC-S
Available via telehealth (limited office slots)
Accepts ESA, Lyra EAP + cash pay/HSA
Ages 8+ and adults -
![Woman in sweater and hat with desert scenery]()
Rachel, LPC-S
Limited availability.
Accepts ESA, Lyra + cash pay/HSA
Ages 6+, adults and families
Available Clinicians for Adolescents 12+
-
![A woman smiling in a desert landscape with cactus and mountains in the background.]()
Alex Baxter, LPC
Waitlist - in office + telehealth
Accepts Aetna, UHC, Oxford, Oscar, ESA + cashpay/HSA
Ages 3+, adults & families. -
![A person with short blonde hair wearing a green patterned dress and standing in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Bria, Intern Therapist
Available via telehealth + office
Accepts cash pay/HSA + sliding scale
Ages 8+ and adults -
![Person smiling in a desert landscape with cactus and mountains in the background.]()
Maya, Intern Therapist
Available via telehealth + office in May
Accepts cash pay/HSA + sliding scale
Ages 8+ and adults -
![A smiling woman with curly brown hair wearing a brown top, standing in front of a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Krista, LMSW
Available via telehealth
Accepts Aetna, ESA + cash pay/HSA
Ages 12+ and adults -
![A person in a green shirt standing outdoors in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Crystal, LPC-S
Available via telehealth (limited office slots)
Accepts ESA, Lyra EAP + cash pay/HSA
Ages 8+ and adults -
![Woman in a teal sweater and beige hat smiling in a desert landscape with mountains and cacti in the background.]()
Alexandra, LAC
Available via office + telehealth
Accepts Aetna, ESA + cash pay/HSA
Ages 10+ and adults -
![Woman in a beige hat and white sweater standing in a desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.]()
Rachel, LPC-S
Limited availability.
Accepts ESA, Lyra + cash pay/HSA
Ages 6+, adults and families
