Child Therapy Chicago

12/11/2025

The best way to help a child or teen who is struggling with big feelings is simply to pause. Giving yourself a moment to be calm and reminding yourself that this behavior has meaning allows you to respond with compassion and understanding. This is the key to helping your kiddo regulate their emotions.

www.ChildTherapyChicago.com

12/04/2025

Raising a deeply feeling kid is both a gift and a challenge.

Their emotions arrive in full color—bright joys, big worries, tender hearts.

And behind every intense moment is something meaningful: a need, a fear, a wish, a story they can’t yet put into words.

When we stop trying to “manage” the behavior and start trying to understand the feeling beneath it, everything softens.

Deeply feeling kids don’t need fixing.

They need connection, curiosity, and a steady adult to help them carry all that depth.

www.ChildTherapyChicago.com

11/20/2025

11/13/2025

11/07/2025

For parents of children and teens with big feelings…

Parents often bring their kids to therapy feeling frustrated, confused, or worn down by their child or teen’s behavior. The emotional outbursts, the withdrawal, the snarkiness or refusal to talk — it can all feel overwhelming. In those moments, it’s natural to reach for strategies: What consequence will work? How can I stop the yelling? What can I say to get through?

But from a psychodynamic perspective, we start somewhere deeper.

We begin with understanding — because behavior, especially intense behavior, is almost always a messenger.

Read more at www.childtherapychicago.com

10/09/2025

🧠 Building Emotional Resilience in Children
Emotional regulation and resilience are skills that can be developed with patience, time, and support. This week, we’re sharing actionable tips to help your child build emotional strength. 💪💚

💬 Emotional Regulation Explained
Kids experience intense emotions, and that’s normal. Emotional regulation is learning to manage those feelings effectively.
With your guidance, kids can develop emotional resilience. 🌊
Remember, it’s a journey.

🌱 Why It Matters
When kids develop emotional regulation skills, they:
✅ Manage stress more effectively
✅ Build stronger, healthier relationships
✅ Develop lifelong resilience
It’s a valuable gift.

👣 Supporting Emotional Growth
Here are 4 ways to help:
1️⃣ Label and acknowledge emotions
2️⃣ Model healthy emotional regulation
3️⃣ Establish routines
4️⃣ Focus on effort
Small actions, significant impact. 💚

💛 You’re Doing Great
You don’t need to be perfect. Your presence, empathy, and consistency are key. Own up to mistakes!
You’re supporting your child’s emotional growth.

📩 More Resources?
Follow us for weekly insights on parenting, mental health, and child development.
DM us with questions or topics you’d like us to cover.
We’re here for you and your family. 💬

03/04/2025

Ways to nurture an authentic self in pre-teen girls:

1. Encourage self-reflection
2. Promote open communication
3. Foster independence
4. Model authenticity
5. Encourage positive peer relationships
6. Support interests and passions
7.Address media influences

02/18/2025

Understanding Mood Swings in Preteens

Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of pr***en years can be challenging for both kids and parents. Mood swings are a normal part of development as pr***ens experience hormonal changes and grapple with new social and emotional experiences.

Here are some tips for parents:

Be patient and understanding: Remember that your pr***en’s emotions are valid, even if they seem irrational to you.

Communicate openly: Encourage your pr***en to talk about their feelings and listen without judgment.

Set boundaries: While it’s important to be understanding, it’s also important to set clear expectations for behavior.

Seek professional help: If you’re concerned about your pr***en’s mood swings or if they’re impacting their daily life, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

Remember, you’re not alone! Many parents experience similar challenges with their pr***ens. By understanding the causes of mood swings and implementing healthy coping strategies, you can help your pr***en navigate this challenging stage of life.

***enmoods

02/11/2025

By talking about your experiences and feelings, you can start to uncover patterns and connections that you might not have noticed before.

Once you start to make some sense of these hidden thoughts and feelings - where they come from (fear/worry, sense of inadequacy, insecurity) and what purpose they serve (protective/defensive, keep people away, block out memories) - you can work on changing them.

Just becoming aware of these unconscious influences can help you feel more in control and less anxious.