Our Story
Where Kids Thrive, Inc’s purpose is to address the lack of mental health resources, particularly for children, adolescents, and their families. Mental health is a key component in a child’s healthy development. Children need to be emotionally and psychologically healthy in order to learn, grow, and lead productive lives. Youth involved in child welfare or the juvenile justice system are exposed to a higher risk of having experienced traumatic events. Children who are exposed to traumatic events have a higher probability of developing mental health conditions. The THRIVE model takes into account a very important reality: Children don’t know what therapy IS because therapy is a very adult concept. Kids need therapy for KIDS! Children’s brain development, verbal skills, impulse control, coping skills and reasoning abilities are immature and not the same as those of adults. Some see these as limitations . . . when in fact, using the competencies of childhood: fantasy, imagination, playfulness, curiosity and openness to learning are the best ways to help kids succeed. By expressing themselves symbolically through toys in play therapy, children are able to distance themselves from difficult feelings and memories, which are frequently too hard for them to talk about directly with others. This gives children the opportunity to communicate their fears, worries, problems, wishes, and desires to others, even if it is done symbolically through toys. Other adults in children’s lives, such as play therapists and parents, can then get a better understanding of children’s inner worlds, which allows these adults to understand what children need in order to provide the appropriate type of help and support.
