Therapy assists children and adolescents in developing new and effective skills for behaving, coping with feelings, and interacting with others. The psychologists at FamilyFirst understand that a child's behaviors may reflect challenges and experiences in different areas of their life. As such, our practice philosophy involves treating the whole child. Thus, in addition to meeting directly with your child, we actively communicate with parents, educators, and other professionals working with your child. We have expertise in using multiple treatment modalities with children and adolescents and we take pride in our ability to help them reach their full potential. The treatment approach we use for each child varies depending on his/her temperament, age, needs, and difficulties, and may include techniques such as structured cognitive-behavioral strategies, process-oriented play therapy, and/or emphasis on interpersonal growth.



Child Adolescent in Vienna VA

The clinical psychologists at FamilyFirst are skilled at treating a wide range of child and adolescent difficulties such as:

Depression, including sadness, hopelessness, irritability, and negativity

Anxiety, including fears, worries, and nervousness

Anger problems

ADHD and ADD

School difficulties

Trouble with friendships

Aggression and acting out

Adjustment to family changes, such as separation or divorce

Low self-esteem and poor self-concept

Excessive shyness

Grief and loss

Sleeping and eating difficulties

Self-harm and other risky behaviors

Identity issues

Coping with trauma

The process of therapy is often different for adolescents than for younger children. No matter how good your relationship is with your adolescent, it is normal for teens to pull away from their parents in an effort to become more independent. Thus, while we at FamilyFirst believe strongly that family involvement is vital to progress in therapy, adolescents typically need more privacy and confidentiality to make changes in their life. In our therapy with adolescents, we often talk about the stress of being a teenager today. Other common issues discussed in adolescent therapy include identity formation, struggle for independence, decision-making, and problem-solving. It is not unusual for adolescents to be hesitant about starting therapy. Our psychologists work hard to help adolescents feel comfortable in therapy by offering a non-judgmental adult who will listen, minimize blame, and focus on their strengths.



The psychologists at FamilyFirst believe that every child has an innate capacity for positive growth and development. We are dedicated to helping children develop themselves to their fullest potential. Call us today for an initial consultation.