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# Child Therapy: Wellness Starts Now
## Empower Your Child’s Well-Being
Early intervention can make all the difference in your child’s emotional and social development.
Our Child Therapy Services are designed to provide the support your child needs now so they can build the skills that will last for a lifetime. Whether they’re dealing with anxiety, behavioral issues, or social challenges, we’re here to help them grow with confidence and resilience.
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     EXCELLENT     Based on 88 reviews                        David Sims  2023-10-11    I received an affordable, thorough psychological assessment by Dr. Bloom. He was very helpful, knowledgeable and insightful. I very much appreciate the service he offers because full neuropsychological testing is expensive and nearly unobtainable for people with certain types of insurance. I paid out of pocket and it was worth every cent.              Curtis Jemison  2023-08-19    It's not normal for me to  write reviews.  The service that I received from the staff at Start my wellness, was absolutely amazing!  The response and help from Rayven at the front desk was extremely helpful.  She was able to walk through the process without making me feel rushed or pressured.  She was knowledgable of the everything I need to be seen in a timely and professional manner.  The treatment team was caring and warm.  I didn't feel like "Just another patient", or embarrassed about my conditions.  Thank you all for helping me.              Sabreen Nafsu  2023-07-30    I love talking with Laila. I feel really comfortable and she seems genuinely kind. I look forward to my appointments with my psychiatrist now thanks to her, which is something I never thought I would say.              Chelsey Steele  2023-07-12    I love this place. I look forward to coming here! Everyone is helpful around the office and my particular person help me stay sane every week!              Irene Roberts  2023-07-11    Wonderful practice. Provide primarily virtual sessions which is preferred for me. Dr. Marashi is very knowledgable and helped me finally for the first time in my adult life nail down a combination of medications to help manage my PMDD and ADHD struggles. I could not have achieved everything I have in the past year without her support and knowledge. I recommend to everyone that struggles with their mental health.              Pearl Fonbuena  2023-07-11    They understand and listen. Couldn’t ask for a better place to go to!              Sean Gossard  2023-07-11    Lauren Anderson is the best!
## Child Therapy at Start My Wellness
Wellness starts with understanding that children are not little adults. They are developing people who emotionally and socially depend on others around them. Our Wellness Starts Now approach to child therapy can be both play based or verbal. It can involve active participation with the parent or parents, the family, or other important people in the child’s life. It is comprehensive. We make connections with outside therapists or schools when that is helpful.
We understand that movement and play are just as important to a child’s treatment as are talking and feeling. No two children have the same therapy needs. Some of the services we typically provide for children and family members are:
### For Kids
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### Child-Centered Play Therapy
### Child Anger Management Therapy
### Child-Parent Relationship Therapy
### For Adolescents
### Talk Therapy
### Teen Anger Management Therapy
### For Parents & Family
### Parent Guidance Lessons
### Family Therapy
### Couples Therapy
### Parent Support Groups for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Additional Services for:
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### Special Education Consultations
### Gender Affirming Therapy
### IEP Advocacy
### Autism Evaluations
### ADHD Screening
### Evaluations for Medication Management
## How Child Therapy Can Help
Children have all types of needs. Some of the more common problems we address include
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#### Depression
#### Loss and Grief
#### Problems Maintaining Attention
#### Anxiety
#### Behavior Problems
#### Defiance or Anger Problems
#### Social Problems
#### Mood Problems
#### Coping with Trauma
#### Self-Esteem Problems
#### Problems Making Friends
#### Non-Specific Problems
## Child Therapist Collaboration – We’ll Work Together to Help Your Child
It takes a village, and at Start My Wellness we work collaboratively with other therapists to identify and help treat children with:
* **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)**
* **Attention Issues and Staying Focused**
* **Impulsivity:** Acting quickly without thinking, or issues with self-control
* **Sensory Processing Problems:** Challenges in how the brain responds to sights, sounds, and textures which can be overstimulating or cause discomfort.
* **Delays in Receptive and Expressive Language:** Difficulty understanding what others say (receptive) and trouble expressing thoughts, ideas, or needs clearly (expressive).
* **Social Pragmatic Language Difficulties:** Problems understanding and using language in social situations, including understanding non-verbal cues and making socially appropriate responses.
* **School Consultations:** Professional guidance provided to schools to support a child’s educational needs.
## Our Our Licensed Child Therapists
Elizabeth Kjar, M.ed, LLMSW
Therapist
### Specialties
#### Type of Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Related Empowerment Therapy
#### Patient Population
Adults, Families, Kids, Teens
#### Issue Focus
Academic / Career, ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Substance Abuse, Thought Disorders
#### Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay
#### Read Full Bio +
Claudia Cacciato, LMSW, CAADC
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Humanistic Therapy, Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy
Adults, Families, Teens
Academic / Career, Anxiety / Depression, Codependency, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Thought Disorders
Aetna, Blue Care Network, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay
Karelyn Dippel, LLMSW
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy
Academic / Career, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships
Anton Babushkin, PhD, LMSW
Therapist / CEO
Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy
Adults, Families, Kids
Academic / Career, Anxiety / Depression, Relationships
## Make an Appointment
To get started with Start My Wellness,  or call 248-514-4955. During the scheduling process, we will ask questions to match you with the  who will best meet your needs including service type, emotional symptoms and availability.
## Call (248) 514-4955
### -OR-
## Adjunct Therapies to Child Therapy
We understand that every child’s needs are unique, and while we don’t offer these adjunct therapies directly, we collaborate with trusted mental health professionals who do. If your child could benefit from additional support like speech and language therapy, contact us to connect you with the right resources to ensure your child receives comprehensive care tailored to their needs.
### Speech and Language Therapy
Focuses on helping children improve their communication skills and complements child therapy by enhancing a child’s ability to express emotions.
### Craniosacral Therapy
Gentle manipulation of the skull and spine to release tension and can help reduce physical stress or symptoms.
### Equine Therapy
Therapeutic interactions between children and horses, which can promote emotional growth, empathy, and trust-building.
### Occupational Therapy
Assists children in developing skills necessary for daily activities, such as self-care or mobility.
### Therapeutic Metronome
Uses rhythmic auditory stimulation to improve attention and coordination, and when used with child therapy can help improve focus and cognitive processing.
### Nature Therapy
Incorporates outdoor experiences to improve mental health by reducing anxiety and stress.
## Frequently Asked Questions About Online Family Therapy
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##### What Happens in Child Therapy Sessions?
In child therapy sessions, children work in a  to express feelings, develop coping skills, and address behavioral and emotional challenges. Depending on the child’s age, sessions can include a mix of traditional talk therapy, play therapy, and creative expression. For younger children, parents often take a more active role, and sessions are generally shorter or a combination of a short child therapy session and a brief one-on-one session between parent and therapist.
##### Should I Be Directly Involved in Therapy Sessions as a Parent?
In some cases, , which is influenced primarily by the child’s developmental level and type of treatment. Younger children benefit from parents being involved directly in sessions, while older teenagers may prefer some level of autonomy in their sessions. Parents can play an equally important role by reinforcing therapeutic strategies at home.
##### As a Parent, How Can I Help My Child Outside of Therapy?
A critical aspect of child therapy is collateral sessions where parents discuss their child’s progress and the therapeutic strategies learned. Parents can offer the greatest support by reinforcing these lessons at home and continuously monitoring their children’s progress, as parents are their children’s biggest allies and the most aware of emotional or behavioral changes.
##### Can Family Be Involved in Child Therapy?
Family therapy is commonly used in conjunction with child therapy to reinforce education across the household, address family relationship issues that may be contributing to a child’s challenges, and improve treatment effectiveness.
##### How Will Play Therapy Help My Child?
Play therapy is particularly helpful for younger children, allowing them to express themselves non-verbally, build self-esteem, develop problem-solving skills, and better engage in therapy.
##### How Does Therapy Work for Children with ADHD?
Therapists help children with ADHD directly manage and develop coping skills for symptoms related to attention and hyperactivity, tailoring treatment to your child’s unique needs, including if there are other conditions present. Additionally, a significant focus of therapy for ADHD is developing personal strengths and interests to build self-esteem and confidence.
##### What Are Some Types of Child Coping Skills Learned in Therapy?
Some of the most popular coping skills children learn in therapy include deep breathing, creative expression, problem-solving, and distraction techniques such as coloring or playing games.
##### What is Inner Child Therapy?
Inner child therapy is actually a therapy for adults that focuses on accessing one’s “inner child” to help recognize and heal emotional wounds from early life experiences. The ultimate goal is identifying, accepting, and addressing unresolved issues affecting adult behaviors and emotions.
##### What is Child-Parent Relationship Therapy?
Child-parent relationship therapy (CPRT) helps strengthen the bond between child and caregiver by improving communication and addressing attachment issues for young children (ages 3-10).
##### Why Would a Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps individuals develop the physical and motor skills necessary for everyday tasks. For children with developmental delays or special needs that require physical or environmental changes, occupational therapy provides essential support and allows children to live more independently.
##### How Do I Know If My Child Needs Speech Therapy?
Typically, speech therapy is recommended when children are not meeting developmental milestones, such as using single words by 12-15 months or combining words by 18-24 months. Additionally, you can consider speech therapy if your child has difficulty expressing themselves, struggles with specific sounds or pronunciations, or expresses a limited vocabulary.
##### When Should a Child Begin Speech Therapy?
Children can begin speech therapy if there are noticeable speech or language development delays compared to established milestones. The best practice is to developmentally monitor your child for any delays or changes to their ability to communicate, as early intervention is crucial for addressing challenges before they affect other areas of development.
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## Contact Start My Wellness
The  team is here to answer any questions you may have about starting or making the most of mental health services. Please reach out to us and we’ll respond within one business day. 
248-282-4631
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Ferndale, MI 48220
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Traverse City, MI 49684
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Cass City, MI 48726
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