Accepting New Clients (updated Mar 19)

Child Therapy in Seattle

Our experienced therapists use a combination of CBT, Play Therapy, Exposure Therapy, DBT, Art Therapy, and Family Therapy to create an effective treatment plan for your child and family. More importantly, counseling at Anchor Light feels safe and fun, and kids want to come back.

Types of Counseling We Offer for Children

There are many different types of child therapy available at Anchor Light Collective, and our team of child therapists in Seattle Washington will hand pick the modality and interventions best suited for the needs of your child, based on their age, their interests, and their behavioral and emotional needs.

  1. Play Therapy
  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  3. Exposure Therapy
  4. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  5. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR for kids)
play therapy

Play Therapy

This is a treatment method for kids and families that takes advantage of children’s natural desire and ability to express themselves through play.

Play therapists can use various props like toys, puppets, the feelings wheel, and games, and, and may engage children in sand play, drawing or sculpting, dance, movement, or imaginary play.

During sessions, the therapist follows the lead of the child allowing themes and ideas, thoughts, and feelings, to emerge from the play at the child’s pace.

At other times, the therapist may provide more structured interventions or activities, like using dolls to act out a specific event, or drawing a family map, or a self-portrait and then encouraging discussion.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of therapy that can be used for people of all ages, including children. CBT focuses on how your thoughts affect your emotions and behavior.

This type of therapy usually involves an agreed upon goal and a set number of sessions. The therapist will help your child learn to identify the negative thought patterns and replace them with more productive ones. Or if your child is dealing with some impulsive behaviors, the therapist may help them to slow down and identify the thoughts and feelings that lead up to those behaviors and help them to find another alternative.

Your child can practice different ways of handling stressful situations. The therapist will often send you and your child home with tasks to complete between sessions, to help your child get closer to achieving their goals.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is a specific form of CBT that is used to treat pediatric anxiety and specific phobias.

As parents, when our children are afraid of something, our instinct is to protect them from it. It turns out that avoiding what makes us anxious only makes anxiety worse.

Your Child Therapist will help your child understand their anxiety or fear, what it does in their body and mind, and how to fight back so that it does not have to take over. This is a gentle process that allows your child to build on small experiences of exposure and gain confidence in their ability to handle the world around them.

You will learn how to coach them in a way that builds their confidence and does not derail the day.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an evidence-based treatment used to help children self-soothe and manage their stress. This is ideal for children and adolescents when they are feeling big emotions and having trouble processing those feelings or expressing them to others.

DBT utilizes individual therapy, skills training, and parenting coaching to support emotional growth in their child and their family unit. Skills coaching by phone is also available to help children and their families.

How do you know if DBT is the right fit for your child?

Like cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT also teaches that thoughts, feelings and emotions are connected. A child who experiences intense “sticky” thinking, extreme feelings, and “acting out” behaviors, or who is described as “overly sensitive,” or “reactive,” could be a great candidate for DBT treatment.

The goals of DBT are emotion regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Through patience and practice, your child will be equipped with valuable life skills for emotional regulation that can then be used when emotions run high.

If you feel like you are walking on eggshells around your child, now may be the ideal time to consider DBT for your family.

Siblings laughing on couch

Child Therapists in Seattle WA

Anchor Light Child Therapy Program

Find out what to expect when you engage in child therapy at Anchor Light

Common Reasons to Start Therapy

If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing, experiencing children’s therapy issues or parenting issues, it could be a good time to call a child therapist in Seattle. The therapists at Anchor Light Collective work with kids of all ages, and create a safe, fun welcoming environment where kids can be themselves.

Sometimes children and teens have a hard time telling us when they are struggling. They have not developed the language yet to explain their emotional challenges, so they often communicate through their behavior that something is wrong. This often takes place in school and as parents, you only find out when a teacher or administrator contacts you.

As parents or family members, you may notice changes in behavior and communication. Maybe your younger child is suddenly withdrawn, or aggressive, or “acting out” in some way. You may notice that they are clingy and less independent, overly attached to one parent, or even regressing in area like potty training or bed wetting. For older children and teens, perhaps they seem tearful, sad, or depressed. Maybe they have lost interest in things that they have always loved and seem more irritable than usual. Learn more about teen therapy and how the treatment methods differ.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors Can Help With Family Transitions

Big changes can be hard for all of us, but particularly for young kids. If you or your family is facing any kind of major life transition, getting your child counseling can be greatly beneficial. Some major life transitions that can impacts kids include:

  • Divorce
  • Remarriage
  • Death of a family member
  • Birth or adoption of a new sibling
  • Retirement
  • Moving
  • Changing schools
  • A family member questioning their gender identity

If you or your child has experienced any kind of traumatic event, it is wise to get them counseling so that they have a safe place to process what has happened with professionals. Situations could include illness in the family, assault, abuse, a car accident, or exposure to any traumatic experience.

Girl smiling in virtual school

FAQs

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Behavior changes in children- children are suddenly withdrawn, or aggressive, impulsive, “acting out”, For older children and teens, perhaps they seem tearful, sad, or depressed. Maybe they have lost interest in things that they have always loved and seem more irritable than usual? 

Traumatic event = illness in the family, assault, abuse, car accident, exposure to any traumatic experience.

Why would a child need play therapy?

Children relate to the world and express themselves through play, so for younger children, play therapy is often the most appropriate treatment modality. It is most often suited for children aged four through twelve years of age. Play therapists can use various props like toys, puppets, and games, and may engage children in sand play, drawing or sculpting, dance, movement, or imaginary play. 

What do you do when your child refuses therapy?

Sometimes once your child understands that therapy is a space just for them, where they can play and direct the time and share their feelings and vent their frustrations, they end up wanting to participate. A Child Therapist will never force a child to do anything against their will but may be able to build a relationship with a child who is determined not to participate.

Child Therapy Pricing

Therapy creates a space for you to experience healing and progress in a way that can change your life. But of course, it’s also an investment of both time and finances. When you’re ready to commit to healing and transformation, here is what you can expect.

Standard individual session
(50 minutes) $190

Insurance

We do not participate with any insurance panels. Anchor Light Therapy Collective is considered an out-of-network provider.

As a courtesy to any individual clients who wish to utilize their insurance benefits, We are happy to verify your out-of-network plan benefits to tell you what portion, if any, may be covered by your health insurance provider.

Out of Nework Insurance Options