Child Therapy
Child Therapy in Michigan
Child therapy for ages 3 to 12 in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Alpena
When your child is struggling, it can affect everything. Sleep, school, friendships, and the tone of your whole home. You may be wondering:
- Is this a phase, or is something bigger going on?
- Why are the meltdowns getting worse?
- How do I help if they cannot explain what is wrong?
At Unity Counseling, we provide counseling for children ages 3 to 12 who need support with emotions, behavior, relationships, and big life changes. Our goal is to help your child feel safer inside their own body and more confident in their world. We also support you as the parent or caregiver, because progress sticks best when the adults around a child feel equipped too.
You do not have to figure this out alone. With the right support, kids can learn to calm their bodies, name their feelings, and build skills that make everyday life easier.
Support for: Anxiety, big feelings, behavior challenges, grief, trauma, school stress, social struggles, and family transitions What it looks like: Child friendly, evidence based therapy that may include play based methods, plus parent support and practical tools Telehealth: Sometimes available, but many children do best with in person sessions
When to Consider Therapy for Your Child
Kids often show stress through behavior long before they can talk about it. Child therapy can help if you are noticing:
- Worries, fears, or clinginess that do not ease
- Big emotions that escalate quickly, including anger, tears, or shutdowns
- Frequent meltdowns, defiance, or intense power struggles
- Sleep changes, nightmares, or new bedtime battles
- Physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches with no clear medical cause
- School refusal or rising school anxiety
- Friendship struggles, bullying, or low social confidence
- Regression, including bedwetting or baby talk
- Perfectionism, self-criticism, or sudden mood changes
- Grief after a loss or major change
- Stress after a scary or overwhelming experience
Sometimes families come in with a clear concern. Other times it is simply a general concern that their child is not themselves lately.
You do not have to carry this alone
If you have been searching for answers late at night, trying to stay calm through big emotions, and wondering what you are missing, you are not alone.
Parenting is hard, especially when a child is anxious, overwhelmed, or acting out. Sometimes the solution is learning new skills as a child. Sometimes the solution is adjusting patterns at home. Most of the time, it is both.
Child therapy gives your child a safe place to grow skills, and it gives you practical support so home feels steadier too.
A Clear Plan for Child Therapy at Unity Counseling
Your child is the hero here. You are the steady support. We are the guide with a practical process that helps your family move forward.
1) Build safety and trust
Therapy starts with connection. Your child’s therapist focuses on making sessions feel safe, welcoming, and comfortable.
2) Understand what is driving the behavior
We look beneath the surface to understand what is fueling the struggle. Anxiety, overwhelm, grief, transitions, trauma, social pressure, and family patterns can all shape how kids behave.
3) Teach skills that work in real life
Child therapy often focuses on:
- Emotional regulation and calming the body
- Coping with worry and uncertainty
- Communication and problem solving
- Confidence building and self-esteem
- Social skills, boundaries, and flexible thinking
4) Support parents so progress sticks
You will receive practical guidance you can use at home, because the everyday moments are where new skills take root.
Our Approach to Child Therapy for Kids
Child therapy is not just talking. Kids learn through relationship, play, and practice.
Depending on your child’s age and needs, therapy may include:
- Play based therapy techniques to help kids express feelings safely
- CBT skills for children, adapted for their age and development
- Emotion identification and coping tools, including body cues and calming plans
- Mindfulness and grounding in kid friendly ways
- Parent coaching to reinforce skills at home
- Trauma informed care focused on safety and stabilization
- Strengths based therapy that builds resilience and confidence
Your child’s plan is personalized. We recommend what fits your child’s stage, personality, and goals.
What to Expect in Child Therapy
The first appointment
We will learn what has been happening at home and school, what your child has experienced, and what you want to change. You will leave with clarity about next steps.
Early sessions
Your child’s therapist builds rapport and learns how your child communicates best. That might be through talking, play, art, movement, games, or stories.
Progress over time
Many families notice changes like:
- Fewer intense meltdowns
- Better emotional vocabulary
- Improved transitions and routines
- Reduced anxiety symptoms
- Increased confidence and connection at home
We track progress together and adjust the plan as needed.
Parent Involvement in Child Therapy
You are not on the sidelines. Parents and caregivers are a key part of successful child therapy.
Depending on your child’s needs, parent support may include:
- Brief check ins at the start or end of sessions
- Occasional parent sessions to troubleshoot patterns and practice tools
- Home strategies, scripts, routines, coping plans, and regulation tools
- Collaboration with school or pediatric providers with written permission
Our goal is to help you feel equipped, steady, and supported.
Common Concerns We Can Help With
We provide therapy and counseling for children ages 3 to 12 experiencing:
- Childhood anxiety and excessive worry
- Emotional outbursts, anger, and difficulty calming down
- Behavior challenges at home or school
- School stress, perfectionism, and performance pressure
- Social skills and friendship struggles
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Grief and loss
- Family transitions including divorce, separation, blended families, and moves
- Trauma and overwhelming experiences
- Adjustment to big life changes
If you do not see your child’s concern listed, reach out anyway. We will help you determine the best next step.
Why Families Choose Unity Counseling
We aim to be the kind of place where your family can exhale.
- Child centered, welcoming environment
- Licensed clinicians who understand child development
- Evidence-based care explained in plain language
- Parent supported approach for lasting change
- Respect for your child’s pace while still moving toward goals
Schedule Child Therapy in Michigan
If your child is struggling, waiting rarely makes it easier. Getting support can.
Locations: Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Alpena Call: 616-439-1866