Kids and Family Therapy

“We are hardwired to connect with others, it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” – Brene Brown

Therapy can be supportive for kids of all ages if they have experienced significant change or trauma such as:

  • loss of a loved one
  • parents’ separation or divorce
  • witnessing or surviving abuse or violence
  • significant move or school transition
  • adoption or foster care

Therapy can also be helpful for children who have experienced symptoms including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, behavior issues, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

Family therapy is when two or more members of a family attend therapy together. Our closest relationships deeply form us. They have potential to be deeply hurtful as well as profoundly healing. By working with the family all in the same room together, changes can occur for the whole family. This has the potential to save both time and money while more effectively creating positive change! When the family can heal together, it contributes to decreasing symptoms like anxiety, depression, and behavior problems.

Family therapy can be used to:

  • strengthen attachment
  • resolve conflict
  • create healthy boundaries
  • increase effective communication
  • and more!

Play is the language of children. Therefore, play therapy is an effective modality for young children still developing the vocabulary and developmental skills necessary for talk therapy.

Through play, children are often able to reenact experiences or patterns that stand out to them. Play creates an opportunity for the child to be in control. They may have faced circumstances where they had no control and this therapy allows them to reprocess events in a way that feels safe. Play therapy is embodied; meaning it can help children use their body as they engage in play in order to move through emotions or events that feel “stuck” inside them.

At The Well, play therapy can include: playdough, books, imaginative play, dolls/puppets, art supplies, games, and more!

You can expect the first session will include the parents/main caregivers only. This ensures caregivers will have time to share family history and current concerns without having to “filter” or worry about what your child hears. Following this session we will make a plan for what treatment will look like.

Some possibilities are:

  • attending sessions with your child
  • the whole family coming in
  • me individually working with your child
  • a mix of these options!

Regardless of who is in the therapy sessions, we heavily involve parents in participation, education, and homework. We often only have one hour a week with your child/family, but you always have each other. My goal is to equip you to be able to support your child(ren) in their specific needs in your daily and ongoing life together.

It is helpful to consider the time and effort this will require of you/your family. This would include the time to attend sessions weekly or biweekly and to complete any “homework” or implement new techniques practiced in therapy. Committing to this will ensure your family gets the most out of the experience.

Yes! Our therapists support teens navigating growing independence, school pressure, friendships, anxiety, family changes, and difficult or traumatic experiences. We make room for your teen’s voice while helping you understand how to support them.

Visit our Teen Therapy page to learn about our approach, parent involvement, privacy, and getting started.

Explore Teen Therapy →

We specialize with kids 3-12 years old, teens and their families.
These are some of the modalities that we use to help:
  • Sand Tray Therapy
  • Clayfield Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Circle of Security: A research-based attachment focused program to create safe relationships.
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Trauma-informed Care: focusing on the unique needs when traumatic experiences are causing distress and suffering within a family system.

Not sure if this is for you?

Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation to see if this is the right next step.

Lauren-Frandsen

Meet Lauren

Kids (3+), Teens, & Families

Meet Lexie

Kids (3+) & Teens

Meet Scott

Kids (9+) & Teens

Healing Happens Together.

We aren’t meant to do this life alone. Your relationships matter and it’s okay to need some help. We are trained in supporting relationships to build resilience, move through conflict, develop new ways of communicating, and repair hurts. 

Our office is located at: 37 N Hibbert, Mesa AZ 85201

Our office is in the heart of Downtown Mesa in a small home.

Our therapists and our space are all curated with you in mind. The Well is a unique and special place full of warmth and color. You and your family will come into a historic home turned counseling office and take a deep breath together. We pride ourselves in taking special care of every client that enters through our doors.

*We also offer virtual options when it is needed and supportive.