Child & Adolescent
Mental health challenges among young people are increasingly common. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 children ages 3–17 in the United States has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, yet nearly half are not receiving the mental health services they need.
Childhood and adolescence are periods of rapid change, and youth mental health challenges that go unaddressed can affect learning, family relationships, and a child’s developing sense of self. Understanding how therapy helps children means recognizing that treatment builds more than coping skills, it supports emotional development in teens and younger children alike, and helps families navigate the parent-child relationship struggles that often accompany a child’s difficulties.
Common Issues We Address
We work with children and adolescents navigating a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties, including:
- Childhood anxiety signs and worry that interferes with daily life
- Early signs of depression in youth, including withdrawal and persistent sadness
- ADHD and difficulties with attention, focus, or impulse control
- Child behavior problems, including oppositional and defiant behaviors
- Academic stress in children, school refusal, and school-related anxiety
- Social issues in childhood, including peer pressure and difficulty with relationships
- Adolescent stress and pressure, including emotional outbursts and difficulty coping
- Eating disorders and body image concerns
- Grief and loss
- Childhood trauma response
- Self-harming behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts and risk
- Substance use concerns
- Parent-child relationship struggles
- Family adjustment to divorce, relocation, or other major transitions
- Aggression and anger management
- Failure to Launch
- Disruptive behaviors (ODD and Conduct Disorder)
- Eating and food restrictive disorders
Treatment For Children and Adolescents
Therapy for children and adolescents is collaborative and developmentally informed. Our clinicians tailor treatment to each child’s age and family context, working alongside parents as active participants rather than bystanders. Family involvement in child therapy is often central to progress, since what happens outside of sessions shapes outcomes as much as what happens within them.
We draw on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps young people identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which builds emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills in adolescents. For younger children, play-based and developmental approaches are often used to support emotional development in teens and children at every stage.
Testing, Evaluation, and Psychiatric Services
(internal linking to psychiatric/medication page and main page for testing and evaluation)
For some children, a comprehensive evaluation is the right starting point. Our psychological testing services assess for learning disabilities, ADHD, giftedness, and a range of academic, behavioral, and emotional concerns. A written report and feedback session are provided so families fully understand the results and next steps.
When medication may be appropriate, our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist provides thorough evaluations, medication management, and ongoing coordination with your child’s treatment team.
A Collaborative Approach
Youth mental health challenges rarely exist in isolation. Our clinicians work closely with parents, coordinate with schools and teachers throughout the Miami-Dade and South Florida area, and collaborate with other healthcare providers when appropriate. This integrated approach ensures that the support your child receives is consistent across the settings that matter most.
If you’re concerned about your child or adolescent, Miami Counseling & Resource Center is here to help. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.
For more on these topics, read our blog: Understanding the Youth Mental Health Crisis and Youth Suicide Prevention: What to Know and How to Help.
References: CDC
[https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/24_0126.htm](https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/24_0126.htm)
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