Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Hudsonville, MI.

I work with children 11 years and older. I think at this age fears and family systems are explored. It will take the family to be open and the child to be willing to explore emotions and feel safe. With play and art I find that kids can feel safe and not feel judged by emotional responses. I work with schools if I have to on behavioral plans. It is a collection of advice and behavioral standards for proper care.

Children often express their experiences and feelings through play, and this becomes an important tool for learning about themselves and others. Children often express and resolve inner conflicts through their play. The therapist helps the child to express and understand the world through play activities - sometimes acting out conflicts and feelings, then interpreting (as appropriate to age) how a similar issue or feeling is present in the child's life.

Therapy can be extremely helpful for young children. Children communicate very differently from adults, but they are so expressive in their own way. We are experts at understanding child communication and gaining an understanding of the emotional lives they don't yet have words for. We utilize play therapy to gain that understanding AND to treat whatever they are struggling with. Parents are obviously critical participants in the child's therapy, for their understanding is a huge part of what facilitate's the child's growth.

Children require a particular speciality to work with in that they can tell if an adult is talking down to them or not. I find by communicating with a child on their level, about their worries and fears, no matter their age, I will be able to connect with them over what they feel they need to work on. Along with their parent's guidance and input, I have been able to successfully modify problem behaviors within the family home and at school. I also have extensive experience in trauma work, with children going through a family transition, or recovering from abuse.