Does My Child Need Counseling?
WHAT YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR IS TELLING YOU
A major indication therapy can help is if you see a significant change in behavior that impacts their daily functioning. This may be seen as a change in behavior at school or at home, peer relationships, regression in development, or poor emotional regulation. If you are asking yourself, "Where did my kid go?", please feel free to give us a call! In these videos, Erica unpacks what depression and anxiety look like in children, how it is different than adults, and how you can support your child.
PLAY THERAPY
BEHAVIOR AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Play Therapy is a proven model of counseling for children to help them communicate and process feelings using a child's natural language. Our Therapists at Johns Creek & Alpharetta Counseling have extensive training to practice play therapy and are working toward earning their RPT (Registered Play Therapist) or has obtained the credential of RPT. Just as a pediatrician must have additional medical training to work with children, a counselor needs extensive training and supervision to provide play therapy to children. In searching for a therapist for your child, please ask what training they have received to work with children. Not all counselors have received formal training to work with children. See below to learn more about play therapy and how it can help you and your child! We also work with pre-teens and adolescents, to learn more about adolescent counseling, click here!
WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?
Play Therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based therapeutic model that is highly effective for children facing emotional or behavioral challenges. This therapeutic approach utilizes the natural communicative and learning processes of children—play—to help them express their feelings and concerns when they struggle to find the right words (Gil, 1991). In play therapy, toys serve as a child’s words, and play becomes their language (Landreth, 2002).
Therapists use play therapy techniques to support children in expressing difficult emotions, particularly when they lack the verbal skills to communicate their internal struggles. This method is particularly helpful in addressing emotional or social skill deficits and can help children develop more adaptive behaviors (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005). The therapeutic relationship that forms between the child and therapist during play therapy sessions provides a corrective emotional experience, fostering healing and growth (Moustakas, 1997).
Play Therapy is the most proven and effective model for counseling children. While it is primarily used with children, art therapy and other play therapy techniques can also be beneficial for adolescents and adults. These techniques, including sand-tray therapy and art therapy, help individuals access and express emotions that are often difficult to verbalize. These therapeutic approaches can be integrated into individual therapy, couple therapy, or family therapy. If your child needs support, Play Therapy is one of the most trusted methods to guide them through their emotional challenges. Feel free to ask about it when you call!
PLAY THERAPY ADDRESSES:
• Family Conflict • Worry Thoughts
• Obsessive Behaviors • Sibling Conflict
• ADHD • Autism
• Depression • Anxiety
• Isolation. • Poor School Performance
• Bullying • Nightmares
• Acting Out • Poor Emotional Regulation
• RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder
PLAY THERAPY CAN HELP SITUATIONS SUCH AS:
• Adoption
• Major Life Changes
• Death of Family/Friends
• Trauma/Abuse
WHAT IS MY ROLE AS A PARENT IN PLAY THERAPY?
At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling, we believe in the power of a strong parent-child relationship and maintain a close working relationship throughout the therapy process. Our experienced therapists are the best and specialize in helping children express their emotions through therapeutic play and child counseling, especially when verbal communication is challenging. Since verbal communication is often the last skill a child develops, therapeutic play is an essential tool to help children communicate when they cannot find the words. We also teach parents how to understand and use therapy techniques to decode their child’s nonverbal communication and emotional needs.
Our approach includes:
✔ Child and family counseling to address emotional and behavioral concerns
✔ Parental support sessions, focusing on discipline strategies, boundary-setting, and emotional understanding
✔ Collaboration with schools, counselors, pediatricians, and psychiatrists to ensure your child receives comprehensive care
✔ On-site school visits to meet with teachers and school counselors to set your child up for success
✔ Support for parents navigating co-parenting, divorce, and major life transitions
✔ Two effective therapy models: joint parent-child sessions and individual parenting skills training
We understand that parenting can be overwhelming, and finding the right support is crucial. Whether you’re seeking a therapist for your child, family counseling, or expert guidance on parenting techniques, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Why Choose Us? At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling, we use therapeutic approaches like play therapy and parent-child emotional guidance to help children and families navigate complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Our therapists focus on building a strong, trusting relationship with both children and parents to ensure sustainable progress. We also offer guidance on parenting strategies and emotional support to help parents feel confident in managing their child’s needs.
📞 Call our intake line at 404-834-2363 to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward a healthier, happier family.
HOMESCHOOLED CHILDREN
COUNSELING FOR HOMESCHOOLED CHILDREN
Whether your child is in public school, private school, or homeschooled, they can experience challenges like anxiety, depression, loss, and trauma. Homeschooled children often face unique struggles, particularly in the areas of social skills, emotional regulation, and balancing home/school boundaries. At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling, we specialize in helping homeschooled children navigate these challenges through individual play therapy and counseling groups tailored to their needs.
Parents of homeschooled children play dual roles as both teacher and parent, which can be overwhelming, especially when children struggle with discipline, respect, or emotional challenges. Our therapists work with families to find a balance between nurturing and discipline while setting healthy school boundaries within the home environment. We also understand the importance of self-care for parents and help parents find space to focus on their own well-being while managing their child's emotional needs.
MEDICATION
DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE ON MEDICATION?
When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, poor emotional regulation, or anxiety, medication is often recommended as part of the treatment plan. However, only a qualified doctor can determine if medication is appropriate for your child. Many parents are concerned about giving their child medication, particularly when the brain is still developing. At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (JCAC), we prioritize non-medication approaches before recommending an assessment by a psychiatrist for medication.
Our team offers a range of therapeutic services to help manage your child’s behavior and emotional challenges, including:
- Play therapy to support emotional expression and regulation
- Neuro-biofeedback to enhance natural brain function and help with ADHD and anxiety without medication
- Diet recommendations to improve overall brain health and emotional well-being
Parenting techniques to create effective change at home and improve behavior management
We only recommend medication as a last resort and aim to support your child’s emotional development through therapy and other non-invasive methods. Neuro-biofeedback can serve as a powerful alternative to medication, improving brain function and offering a natural way to manage symptoms when therapy alone is not enough.
TUTORING SERVICES
MAKING LEARNING FUN AGAIN!
Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (JCAC) is proud to partner with Teachers As Tutors (formerly K8 Tutoring) to offer comprehensive tutoring services in our Alpharetta office. Our certified teachers bring years of experience in both regular and special education for grades K-12. We provide personalized tutoring to meet each child’s unique needs, whether they're in special education, have an IEP, or are in regular education.
Tutoring Services Offered:
- After-school tutoring for K-12 students
- Homeschool assistance for homeschooling families
- Summer preparation programs to prevent learning loss
- IEP advocacy to ensure your child’s educational needs are met
We go beyond traditional tutoring services. While homework help is part of what we offer, our goal is to teach your child how to learn. We assess your child’s learning style, collaborate with their teachers, and help develop strategies to improve classroom skills, organization, concentration, and resiliency in the face of challenges like test anxiety or ADHD.
IEP Advocacy & Support: Teachers As Tutors is committed to helping children succeed in their educational setting. Our teachers have extensive experience in the public school system, including writing IEPs, reading psychological reports, and advocating for students' needs during IEP meetings. We work closely with parents to ensure children receive the appropriate support, and we assist in writing IEP goals and meeting those goals.
What Sets Us Apart: Unlike high school or college-aged tutors, our team consists of certified special education teachers with years of classroom experience. We understand how to read psychological reports, write effective IEPs, and implement these plans to help children succeed.
Tutoring services are available for:
- Children with an IEP
- Test anxiety
- ADHD & organization challenges
- Learning disabilities Cognitive deficits
- Developmental disabilities
- Homeschooled children needing support
- Regular education children in all subjects
If you're looking for expert, personalized support, call us today to see how we can help your child thrive academically and emotionally.
