Child and Adolescent Therapy
Ages 3 to 17. Play therapy, CBT and PCIT for anxiety, behavior, school struggles and the changes that knock a kid off balance.
When parents call us
Is your child struggling in some way? Maybe they are going through a challenging adjustment in life. Maybe they are getting in trouble at school. Maybe they are having trouble getting along with others, or they just do not seem like themselves. We would love to help them understand their thoughts, feelings, behaviors and experiences, and as a result remove their struggles.
Common reasons families reach out:
- Worry, fear or anxiety that is getting in the way of school, sleep or friendships
- Sadness, irritability or withdrawal that has lasted more than a few weeks
- Behavior at home or school that discipline alone is not fixing
- Divorce, a move, a new school, a death in the family or another hard change
- Trouble making or keeping friends
- Big emotions a young child cannot yet put into words
What a session looks like
Sessions are 45 minutes, usually weekly. With younger children, therapy looks like play, drawing, games and movement, because that is how children process. With older children and teens, more of the hour is conversation, with practical skills to try between sessions. Parents are part of the picture at every age, and you will know what we are working on.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
For children roughly 3 to 8 and their parents, Dr. Franks is certified in PCIT. Parents are coached in the same techniques the therapist uses, so the work continues at home. When families commit to it, PCIT is very successful at improving both behavior and mood, strengthening the connection with parents and setting clear expectations around rewards and consequences.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps a child notice the thoughts feeding the feeling, then test and change them. It is a strong fit for anxiety and depression, and it gives kids language for what is happening inside them.
How long does it take
There is no fixed number of sessions. Many families see meaningful change within a few months of weekly work. We review progress with you as we go, and when your child is doing well we say so rather than keep the appointment on the books.
Last reviewed August 16, 2026
Questions people ask us
At what age can a child start therapy?
We see children from about age 3. For that youngest group, the work usually involves the parent directly through PCIT, since a 3 or 4 year old changes fastest when the adults around them change too.
Will I know what my child talks about?
You will know what we are working on, how it is going, and what to do at home. Children and teens also need a space they can trust, so day-to-day details stay between the child and the therapist unless there is a safety concern. Your therapist will explain exactly where that line sits at your first visit.
My teen does not want to come. Should I still call?
Yes. Reluctance at the start is normal and it is often about control rather than the therapy. Call and describe the situation, and we will talk through how to introduce it in a way that gives your teen some say.
Do you work with schools or an IEP team?
We can, with your written permission. Tell us at the first appointment if school communication or documentation matters to you, because it shapes whether therapy alone is the right route or whether psychological testing should come first.
Talk it through first
You do not have to be sure before you call. Describe the situation and we will tell you whether this is the right service, and what it costs.