Child Therapist
Our child therapists and child counselors know how difficult it can be to manage the day-to-day experiences of life! Let alone, doing it as a parent with school-age children. Perhaps you may have heard from your child’s teacher about behavioral concerns. Or maybe you have noticed your child behaving in a way at home that you are just not sure if it is “normal”? Maybe your child is asking “Why can’t I make friends?” Or “Why are kids being so mean to me?” Don’t worry – we hear this all the time. And you have come to the right place. The key is to catch them early. And you have, by coming here! You have given your kids an incredible gift – which is therapy. Life is already too hard as it is, and it just gets harder. You don’t want them to be 21 and still have not looked closely at whatever problems they may be experiencing.
Trustworthy Child Counselors
With this said, some of our kids have experienced grief and trauma. And they have been forced to process it on their own. Which is too much for anyone. This is why we have our child therapists here at Sunflower. It is for parents who are stuck, and kids who are stuck, and not sure what to do. It can be so worrisome being put in this position of uncertainty. Emotionally, we know how difficult it is to wonder about all these things on a daily basis as a parent. We all want the best for our children, and we want them to thrive and find joy, love, and excitement in their lives. Yet when these challenges arise, we often feel like it’s our fault as parents. Or, even worse sometimes – thinking that something is wrong with our kids.
We want you to know that most of these concerns are very normal experiences. We also want you to know that behavioral challenges can be changed with help. Your kids can learn valuable coping skills and tools that they can bring with them to not only succeed in school but in all areas of their lives. Self-soothing is a tool that is hard for many adults as well. Many people have not learned how to de-escalate and downshift in this fast-paced and frenetic society. So, you’re not alone. Child therapists at Sunflower Counseling are here to help your kids be the best version of themselves.
Need a Child Therapist?
We understand that it can be really confusing when you first decide to reach out for help in coping with challenges that arise with your children. It’s not always easy to know where to turn or who to trust when it comes to your child’s mental health.
But here’s the thing: reaching out to a child therapist or counselor can be one of the best decisions you ever make for your child. The professional counselors and therapists at Sunflower are trained to understand and support children’s emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.
As a parent, it’s important to remember that seeking help for your child is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – it takes a tremendous amount of strength and courage to admit that you need help and to take action to make positive changes in your child’s life.
When you work with a child therapist or counselor, you’re not only getting expert guidance and support for your child, but also for yourself. These professionals can help you develop new strategies and techniques for handling challenging situations with your child, and provide a safe and supportive space for you to express your own emotions and concerns.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about where to turn for help with your child’s challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified child therapist or counselor. They can help you navigate the complex terrain of parenting and provide the tools and support you need to help your child thrive. Remember, you’re not alone – there are people out there who can help you and your child get back on track.
This can be especially helpful, as well, if you want to gain an understanding of a more in-depth issue or diagnoses such as ADHD, a learning disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. This may be important if your child is needing more services or support at school. In most cases for behavioral concerns, trauma, grief, or friendship issues we recommend a child therapist such as we have at Sunflower Counseling as the first step toward seeking help.
Qualified Child Counselors in Missoula and Surrounding Regions
Our child counselors here at Sunflower Counseling have the training and expertise to help work through the challenges your child is experiencing. We employ evidence-based techniques that are tailored to be developmentally appropriate for your child. We work to make the counseling experience helpful as well as fun for your children. Sometimes they might be nervous when they initially begin. But this apprehension is usually short-lived. This is because going to counseling is actually a fun experience! And the kids tend to bond with their counselors, just as the adults do. This is because our child counselors we choose are exactly that – engaging.
We also work together with parents to support you throughout the process. It is very common for parents to sit in on the first session to make sure everyone is comfortable. But at the same time, many kids, and especially adolescents, have no problem saying, “I got this.” We are here to help with whatever your child is needing.
Why Work With Us?
Sunflower Counseling is one of the best options for providers for your child and your family. Our organization was initially started to serve children. Our child counselors and therapists have experience working in the school and home setting and have a great understanding of the treatment approaches that work well for kids.
We only pair children with counselors who adore and are passionate about working with kids. It is important to us to have counselors who continue to improve on their skills. Our hope for the children of Montana is to help facilitate positive changes in our community. This is not only our goal but one of the greatest missions at Sunflower Counseling.
Get Started Today
We know it can be difficult to take the first step and call but be assured you and your family are in good hands. And you did it! On some level, we are kindred souls. You picked up the phone and looked us up, and here we are now, going on this lifelong journey. We are honored to work with you to help your child become the best version of themselves they can possibly be.
In addition, we try to make it so every child will get services right away and not have to wait. We fully believe this is the best step toward feeling supported, gaining insight, and not going down the road alone. We are here to help and guide you to gain back the life you want with your kids and family. We can figure this out together.
Many insurance plans cover child therapy when provided by a licensed mental health professional. Contact us directly and we can help verify your child’s benefits and discuss your options before the first appointment.
Yes. Sunflower Counseling offers child therapy at our Montana locations. We also offer online therapy for children and families throughout Montana, including those in rural areas with limited access to specialized pediatric mental health services.
Keep it simple and positive. Let your child know that therapy is a safe place to talk about their feelings with someone whose job is to help kids feel better. Avoid framing it as punishment or suggesting something is seriously wrong. Your therapist can also provide guidance on how to have this conversation in a way that feels reassuring to your child.
Yes. Major family transitions like divorce, remarriage, a new sibling, or relocation can be deeply unsettling for children. Therapy provides a safe space for children to process their feelings about these changes and develop resilience during uncertain times.
Yes. Child therapy can be very effective in helping children with ADHD, oppositional behaviors, impulse control challenges, and emotional dysregulation. Therapists work with both the child and the family to develop strategies that support success across all areas of life.
Yes. Parental involvement is an important part of child therapy. Your therapist will regularly communicate with you about your child’s progress, provide guidance on how to support your child at home, and may invite you into sessions when appropriate. Therapy works best when parents and therapists work as a team.
Child therapy sessions look different from adult therapy. Younger children often work through their experiences using play, art, and storytelling rather than direct conversation. Older children and adolescents may engage in more traditional talk therapy combined with creative and experiential techniques tailored to their age and personality.
Children can begin therapy at a very young age. Therapists who specialize in working with young children use play-based approaches that are developmentally appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers all the way through adolescence. Early intervention often leads to significantly better long-term outcomes.
Signs that your child may benefit from therapy include persistent sadness or worry, sudden changes in behavior or mood, difficulty at school, withdrawal from friends or family, aggression or emotional outbursts, sleep disturbances, declining grades, or if your child has experienced a traumatic or stressful event such as divorce, loss, or abuse.
Child therapy is specialized mental health treatment designed to help children navigate emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Licensed child therapists use age-appropriate approaches to help children process their experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and thrive at home, at school, and in relationships.
