Preteen Counseling
I help preteens who struggle with anxiety, depression and stress; and who have experienced trauma, grief, loss, and family transitions. This may look like recovering from a life threatening illness, divorce, adoption, or bullying.
Your child is older now but they’re not quite a teenager, between 8 to 12 years old. They’re a “tween.” Outbursts are happening more frequently, suddenly arguments get heated when you used to have great communication with your child. Where they had a great group of friends, now they seem isolated and don’t want to go on playdates.
Being a “tweenager” is hard
It’s the middle of their childhood and they’re too old for tea sets or dump trucks. But. they’re too young for tiktok, snapchat, makeup, and all the passionate vibrancy and turmoil of being a teenager. Your child seems to be having trouble, especially now, adjusting to digital school even though going to school in person previously made them anxious.
As parents we don’t want to talk about childhood depression. It’s easy for parents to think: it’s just puberty, right? Just hormones? They’ll outgrow this. They’re just being ornery. Or maybe they’re immature for their age. So, they suddenly want to be with their parents more and are not interested in age appropriate activities and socializing with their peers. Your pediatrician wants you to get help. Or perhaps, their teacher, or coach, or school counselor has told you it’s time to pay attention to what’s going on. For parents that can be hard to hear, because you’re doing everything right, how is your child depressed or anxious? You’re not aware of anything bad happening to them. Or maybe they have or have had a serious illness, experienced loss, or gone through hardship, but it was so long ago. How would they remember now? Why is it impacting them now?
My approach to preteen counseling
I meet with the parents first for two to four sessions to get a sense of what’s going on at home and get a sense of what your tween is struggling with. We’ll also discuss therapy types, and what treatments are available to your child. We will also talk about what sessions will look like for children because it’s different than what it looks like for adults. I’ll primarily be meeting with your child, but occasionally we may have family sessions to discuss the best ways to support and work together with your child. We’ll be using our bodies and moving around a lot, maybe doing some art, or working with sensory tools. This allows them to express themselves and the things they otherwise may try to repress.
As a result of counseling your child can…
Learn coping skills to help them through challenging experiences
Learn how to express and experience their emotions
Develop a positive sense of self and learn how to be kind to themselves and others
Deepen their relationship with parents and family
Process the issues they don’t have words for.
Your tween can go from surviving to thriving!
For Preteen Parents
Yes, your tween is in therapy. But this is a partnership with you, me, and your child and it’s important to remember that healing doesn’t always look like a straight line. Your child’s progress is going to look huge sometimes and you’ll have big wins as a family. Other days, you may have to take the little wins and trust in the process and progress. Maybe, having a child in therapy will kick up some dust for you, too. When some parents come to me, they’re so tired and frustrated that they just want compliance and corrected behavior immediately. If that’s the case, I’ll happily refer you to a trusted colleague for personal therapy while I work with your child. Together, we’re a team, and all our end goals should be having a happy, healthy child who looks forward to their bright future.
This may sound good, but you’re unsure about the next step… if you and your tween are struggling right now, counseling can help. Hope, healing and change are possible, for your child and family. My private practice is located in central Phoenix, and available for surrounding areas in AZ.
Counseling not only helps your child become more resilient, but it also gives you the skills to navigate his/her ups and downs while strengthening your relationship. My Phoenix, Arizona online counseling private practice offers several types of highly effective therapeutic modalities (available from any where in the state) for healing, lasting change, and resiliency. To begin counseling in Phoenix, AZ follow these simple steps:
Schedule a consult with Tahirih, a skilled, and caring child therapist
Start giving your child the tools to enjoy their tweens!
Other counseling specialties Tahirih Herrera, LCSW provides:
Counseling for preteens isn’t the only service I offer in my Phoenix, AZ practice. Other areas of focus and mental health services Tahirih Herrera, LCSW Counseling provides include: therapy for children, grief and loss, anxiety treatment, EMDR, trauma, and therapy for teens. All these services are available via online therapy in Arizona. I am excited to work with you, get in touch today to begin your child’s counseling journey.
