Therapeutic Services & Modalities

Activities-Based Therapy for Children

Child engaging in activities-based therapy using play and art in Santa Rosa
Some children struggle to express what they’re feeling with words—especially when they’re anxious, overwhelmed, or facing big changes—so activities-based therapy uses structured, hands-on experiences like art, movement, games, and other creative tasks to help them safely process emotions, build confidence, improve behavior, and develop healthy coping strategies in an engaging, supportive setting.

This approach is ideal for kids who:
  • Don’t respond well to traditional talk therapy
  • Struggle with anxiety, emotional regulation, or behavioral outbursts
  • Have experienced trauma or big life changes (like divorce or loss)
  • Are shy, withdrawn, or nonverbal

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Children & Teens

When worry, negative self-talk, or frustrating habits keep a young person stuck, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a clear, evidence-based way forward. In kid-friendly sessions, we explore how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors fit together, then practice simple strategies—like thought-tracking, role-play, and real-life “experiments”—that replace unhelpful patterns with healthier ones.

CBT is especially effective for:
  • Anxiety and excessive worry (school, social, or performance)
  • Low mood, irritability, or negative self-image
  • Rigid routines, obsessive thoughts, or compulsive behaviors
  • School avoidance, test anxiety, or perfectionism

As children and teens master these tools, they gain lasting confidence to handle stress, solve problems, and bounce back from setbacks. If you’re seeking CBT for kids or teens in Sonoma County, our goal-oriented approach turns insight into everyday resilience—so your child can thrive in and out of therapy.
Illustration of a child’s mind representing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children and teens in Santa Rosa

Play Therapy for Children

Child engaging in play therapy activities with therapist in Santa Rosa
Play is a child’s natural language—so Play Therapy uses toys, art, storytelling, and imaginative games to help kids express feelings they can’t yet put into words. In a safe, therapist-guided space, children explore scenarios, act out emotions, and practice new problem-solving skills, building emotional resilience while simply “playing.”

Play Therapy can especially help:
  • Anxiety, phobias, or separation worries
  • Behavioral outbursts, anger, or impulse control issues
  • Trauma, grief, or family transitions (divorce, relocation)
  • Social skills, self-esteem, and confidence building

Somatic Therapy for Children & Teens

Graphic illustrating somatic therapy concepts such as mind-body connection and self-regulation skills for children and teens in Santa Rosa
When stress, anxiety, or trauma shows up in a young body—tight shoulders, stomachaches, restlessness—Somatic Therapy teaches kids to tune into physical sensations and release stored tension through gentle movement, breath work, and mindful body awareness. By connecting body signals with emotions, children learn to self-soothe, feel safer in their own skin, and respond to challenges with greater calm.

Somatic Therapy can especially help:
  • Chronic anxiety that shows up as headaches, stomach pain, or muscle tension
  • Trauma-related hypervigilance, startle responses, or nightmares
  • Emotional meltdowns tied to sensory overload or stress
  • Difficulty sitting still, regulating energy, or falling asleep