Children and Teen Counseling

Sometimes kids need someone outside the family to talk to.

Growing up isn't always easy.

Children and teens are learning how to understand themselves, manage emotions, navigate friendships, handle pressure, communicate what they need, and make sense of a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

As a parent, you may know that something isn't quite right—but you may not know exactly what your child needs.

We're here to help you figure out the next step.

Illustration depicting various emotional and mental health struggles in children and adolescents. Features include a girl anxiously worried, a girl with a loving parent, a sad boy, a boy angry, a girl confused, a girl with crossed arms, a girl reflecting in a mirror, a boy studying with difficulty, a boy with ADHD playing with blocks, and a girl hugging a teddy bear with a broken heart symbol. Accompanying text emphasizes signs of stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, academic pressure, attention problems, ADHD, autism, grief, trauma, and family changes, highlighting the importance of counseling and support.

A Safe Place to Talk, Learn & Grow

Counseling gives children and teens a place to work through what they're experiencing with someone who isn't a parent, teacher, coach, or friend.

Our goal isn't simply to get a child to "behave better." We want to understand what may be happening underneath the behavior and help them develop healthy skills for navigating what they're experiencing.

Depending on their age and individual needs, counseling can help children and teens learn to:

  • Identify and communicate emotions

  • Develop healthy coping skills

  • Manage anxiety and stress

  • Build confidence

  • Improve emotional regulation

  • Navigate friendships and peer pressure

  • Develop healthier boundaries

  • Improve communication

  • Work through family changes

  • Process grief, trauma, or difficult experiences

  • Strengthen relationships with parents and family

  • Develop problem-solving skills they can carry into adulthood

Every child is different. Our counselors consider your child's age, personality, development, experiences, strengths, family relationships, and individual needs when determining how to approach counseling.

An adult woman and a young girl sit on a couch in a cozy living room. The woman has dark skin and curly hair tied up, wearing a beige cardigan and gold hoop earrings. The girl also has dark skin, curly hair in puffs, and wears a purple hoodie. The woman comfortingly holds the girl’s hand and gently places her arm around her shoulders. The girl gazes at the woman with affection. On the coffee table are a black mug with gold lettering reading 'Strong families build strong futures' and a notebook with the words 'Together we can help them thrive.' The background features framed art and a lamp, suggesting a warm, inviting atmosphere. A speech bubble from the girl says, 'You know your child better than anyone.'

Areas We Can Help With

Our counseling team works with children, teens, and families experiencing a variety of concerns, including:

Anxiety & Worry
Depression & Mood Changes
ADHD
Autism
Anger & Emotional Regulation
Confidence & Self-Esteem
Friendships & Peer Relationships
School Stress
Family Conflict
Parent-Child Relationships
Grief & Loss
Trauma & Difficult Life Experiences
Life Transitions
Communication & Boundaries
Spiritual Questions & Struggles

A woman talking to a girl on a couch with a tissue box and mug nearby. The woman has her hand on the girl's shoulder. The girl is smiling and looking up at her. A diagram shows the girl and boy's emotional struggles and social issues.

Is Your Child Struggling?

Sometimes the signs are obvious. Other times, they're subtle.

You may have noticed your child or teen:

  • Seems anxious, worried, fearful, or overwhelmed

  • Has become sad, withdrawn, or increasingly irritable

  • Struggles with big emotions or anger

  • Has difficulty communicating what they're feeling

  • Is struggling with friendships or relationships

  • Has lost confidence or struggles with self-esteem

  • Is having difficulty at school or managing academic pressure

  • Struggles with attention, impulsivity, or organization

  • Is navigating ADHD or autism

  • Has experienced grief, trauma, family changes, or another difficult season

Your child doesn't have to be in crisis for counseling to be helpful.

Sometimes counseling is about getting support before a struggle becomes a crisis.

Illustration of a girl sitting on a rock and a boy on top of an iceberg depicting the iceberg theory. The girl looks thoughtful, and the iceberg shows the hidden causes of behavioral issues such as anxiety, emotional exhaustion, grief, low self-esteem, relationship struggles, family changes, neurodivergent needs, trauma, pressure, and big feelings. The iceberg above the water shows outward behaviors like angry outbursts, poor grades, acting out, and pushing people away.

Parents Are Part of the Process

You know your child better than anyone.

Counseling with children and teens isn't about excluding parents. At the same time, young people need enough privacy to develop trust with their counselor. Finding a healthy balance between the two is important.

Depending on your child's age, needs, and situation, the counselor may work with you to better understand what's happening at home, identify patterns contributing to difficulties, develop strategies for responding to challenges, and strengthen communication within your family.

Sometimes the most effective work happens with the child.

Sometimes it happens with the parent.

And sometimes the relationship between them is where change needs to happen.

Parents may also receive support in understanding behavior, setting healthy boundaries, improving communication, and learning how to respond to the challenges their child is experiencing.

An illustration of a counseling session with a therapist speaking to a family of four. The therapist is seated on a chair with a notepad and pen, gesturing as she talks. The family, consisting of a mother, father, and two children, sit on a sofa listening attentively. The background features a whiteboard with a list of concerns and icons representing various emotional and psychological issues, and a framed quote that says, "Every child. Every story. Every step matters." There are also decorative plants, a table with books labeled "Strong Minds," "Brave Hearts," and "Bright Futures," and a tissue box labeled "Hope" on the table.

Getting Started

Reaching out for counseling doesn't mean something is terribly wrong. Sometimes it simply means you've recognized that your child—or your family—could use some additional support.

That's a good place to begin.

Ready to take the next step?

In-person counseling in Mobile, Alabama with telehealth options for clients throughout Alabama.

Meet Our Children & Teen Counselors

Headshot of a smiling man with glasses, dark hair, a beard, wearing a navy blue striped shirt against a black background.

Benjamin Snow, MSped, MA, ALC

Schedule

Children • Teens • ADHD • Autism • Boys & Young Men • Parent-Child Relationships

Ben works with children and teens who may be struggling with ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, communication, relationships, or the challenges of growing up. He especially enjoys helping young people better understand themselves, build practical skills, and develop greater confidence in navigating everyday life.

Ben also works with parents and families, recognizing that supporting a child often means strengthening the relationships around them. His approachable, down-to-earth style helps create a space where kids and teens can feel comfortable being themselves while learning new ways to communicate, cope, and grow.

Close-up of a smiling woman with short curly black hair, wearing a colorful sleeveless blouse with ruffles, in a modern interior with a brick wall, shelves with decorative items, plants, and hanging light fixtures.

Tracy Gibson, MS, LPC

Schedule

Children & Teens • Trauma • Depression • Anxiety • EMDR • Complex Emotional Needs

Tracy works with children and teens who may be carrying experiences or emotions that feel difficult to understand or manage. She supports young people navigating trauma, depression, significant anxiety, emotional distress, and other complex life experiences.

With experience working with more complicated concerns, Tracy provides a supportive space where young people can begin making sense of what they have experienced, understand their emotional responses, and develop healthier ways of coping. She is also trained in EMDR, which may be incorporated when clinically appropriate to help clients process difficult or traumatic experiences.

Tracy's approach recognizes that what looks like anger, withdrawal, anxiety, or difficult behavior on the outside may be connected to something deeper happening underneath.

Portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, wearing a textured brown turtleneck sweater, against a gray background.

Nikeisha Lavalle-Brannum, BS

Schedule

Children • Teens • Anxiety • Depression • Emotional Wellness • Life Transitions

Nikeisha works with children and teens who need a safe, supportive place to talk, express themselves, and work through the challenges they are experiencing. Her warm and approachable style helps young people feel comfortable being themselves while developing a trusting relationship in counseling.

She supports children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, overwhelming emotions, relationship or friendship difficulties, life changes, and the everyday challenges that come with growing up. Nikeisha helps young people better understand and communicate their emotions, develop healthy coping skills, build confidence, and learn practical ways to manage difficult situations.

Whether a child is having difficulty putting feelings into words or a teen simply needs someone outside the family to talk to, Nikeisha provides a space where they can feel heard, understood, and supported as they grow.

Unsure who you should see

You don't have to figure that out by yourself.

Tell us a little about what's going on, your child's age, and what you're hoping counseling can help with. Our team can help you determine which counselor may be a good fit for your child and family.