Therapy for Teens & Kids In-Person in Madison & Online Across Wisconsin

Grow together, for the better.

There’s no “right” way to go about parenting, but you might still be worried about doing it wrong. You’re not alone.

You don’t want to repeat the mistakes your parents made, but you also don’t know what else to do. It feels like just when you’re getting your footing in one stage of parenting, things are moving on to the next. Maybe you’re having a hard time understanding your child’s behavior, unable to connect and communicate with them the way you wish you could. 

Sometimes, it seems like you’re the only one who sees the behaviors that make you worry, and when you try to tell other people it feels like they don’t really believe you. Trying to support them—even though you don’t know why they’re acting this way—along with your already-mile-long to-do list has started to feel like too much. 

Let us assure you that the feelings of overwhelm and frustration you’re having are completely valid. The fact that you’re here means you already have your child’s best interests at heart. We want to do whatever we can to help them (and you) feel better and grow into the future with confidence.

Maybe your child or teen has been...

  • Struggling to keep up or stay engaged in school

  • Affected by changes in the family unit—like divorce or new siblings

  • Struggling with challenges related to being adopted

  • Having fights with siblings or friends

  • Acting “moody”, apathetic about friends or hobbies, or isolating themselves

  • Often seeming irritated or like they’re about to cry

  • Impacted by a traumatic event—like loss of a family member or an assault

  • Nervous, worried, anxious, or stressed

Being a parent is hard. Being a kid is hard, too.

We create a safe space to help both of you overcome obstacles, build resilience, and realize the full potential of your relationship.

As a parent, there’s always the worry that you’ll be judged or shamed for the way you raise your kids. We want you to know you’ll never receive any judgment or shaming from us—we’re here to lift you and your child or teen up, not tear you down.

The truth of being a kid of any age is that you only have so much power to make change in your life. Schedules, meals, and expectations are all set for you. That, plus the demands of the ever-changing world they’re growing up in, can sometimes feel a bit suffocating and lead to attempts to feel in control in other ways. Your therapist’s role is to help your child or teen become aware of how their behavior affects others and bridge the gap between what brings them to therapy and what their goals are. 

At the beginning of this work, your therapist will spend time connecting and building a rapport with your child or teen. Establishing this trust is crucial for making progress, so their privacy will be honored unless something is directly relevant to you or a safety concern. That being said, parent involvement is an equally important part of the process, so you will be included in some capacity—we ask that you keep an open mind so everyone can reap the benefits of this work.

Your therapist will work with both of you to understand what’s been going on and what each of you wants to see change. Then, they’ll use the strengths your child already has as a foundation upon which to build new skills.

The in-session experience will vary depending on your child’s age and the challenges they’re facing. We have a Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) area, which includes a trampoline and exercise balls for kids and teens to use for regulating their emotions and bodies. Our office spaces also have giant bean bag chairs, weighted blankets, Legos, and other toys that can be used for therapeutic play. These elements will hopefully help your child or teen feel more comfortable, and maybe even excited, about coming to therapy.

Some methods our therapists use include…

  • A type of therapy that uses play and creative activities to help children express their thoughts and emotions in a safe and supportive environment, which improves communication and promotes emotional healing.

  • A type of therapy that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to activate the brain's natural healing mechanisms.

  • Helps people, especially children, cope with and overcome the effects of trauma by combining talk therapy techniques with trauma-sensitive approaches.

  • A therapeutic approach that helps kids who have experienced trauma feel safe and secure again. It combines different techniques to address both the emotional and attachment needs of the child, aiming to heal past wounds and promote healthy relationships.

Therapy for children & teens can help with…

  • Bridging the communication gap between you & your child

  • Learning to co-regulate emotions with your child

  • Transitioning to new stages of childhood & parenthood

  • Improving self-awareness & understanding

  • Setting reasonable expectations for each developmental stage

  • Learning ways to better manage big feelings & anxiety

Unlock understanding & connection with your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Children and teens can only change so much about their world. We find that the amount of parent participation varies depending on the age of the child. Of course, you’ll know of anything that needs to be shared for safety reasons. With younger children, parent participation will likely be more frequent than with older teens. This can look like a brief check-in at the end of each session, being involved in the therapy room, or parent-only check-in sessions. It’s helpful if parents are willing to learn and try new things throughout the process.

  • Absolutely! We have multiple clinicians who have extensive experience with adoption and the nuances that surround it. Legally, we do require any adoption paperwork, foster placement paperwork, guardianship, or copies of custody and divorce decrees. If separated parents have shared medical custody, we will likely require consent from both parents.

  • Reflections does not do any court-mandated services, custody or placement, or reunification work. We will, however, provide cross-household parenting support if both parents are willing and engaged.

  • While many teens enjoy sleeping in on the weekends, depression is more complex than just wanting to stay in bed like in the movies. Even if your child is still able to laugh or enjoy talking to friends, they could be depressed. Look for changes in their behavior, like withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy, major changes in sleep patterns, or expressing feelings of hopelessness.