Child Therapists in Baltimore
Baltimore Therapy Group Accepting New Patients
Our Approach to Child Therapy
At the Baltimore Therapy Group, we understand that every child is unique, and their emotional and behavioral concerns require a personalized approach. Our team of experienced child therapists is dedicated to providing evidence-based treatment services that cater to the specific needs of each child and their family. We believe in fostering a collaborative relationship with parents and caregivers to ensure that our therapy services are effective and sustainable.
Our approach to child therapy is grounded in the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is highly effective in addressing a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. We also incorporate elements of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and play therapy to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the child’s emotional, social, and behavioral needs.
Our child therapists are trained to work with children and adolescents of all ages, from young children to young adults, and are experienced in addressing a range of concerns, including school refusal, social skills deficits, and anxious childhood emotions. We believe in creating a safe and supportive environment that allows children to feel comfortable and confident in expressing their emotions and concerns.
Looking for a Child Therapist?
Our work with your family begins with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a popular type of therapy. According to the American Psychological Association, CBT is the “gold standard’ in treatment for a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and low self-esteem.
CBT can also address medical concerns, particularly for families dealing with chronic illnesses and related anxieties.
As a short-term treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a present-focused, problem-solving approach that helps individuals identify behavioral problems and negative thinking. During CBT therapy sessions, your counselor will work with your child to recognize negative thinking patterns and behavior and replace them with more positive self-talk. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help children and adolescents recognize their strengths, navigate a traumatic experience, communicate more effectively, and learn healthy ways to cope with stress.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your parent-child relationship or help your child learn new skills to cope with stress, CBT isn’t the only scientifically proven approach to child therapy. The American Psychological Association has also given its stamp of approval to other treatment approaches used by therapists in the Baltimore Therapy Group, including Emotion-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Behavioral Problems
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a form of child counseling, is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems. The PCIT model involves live coaching sessions, where you and your child are in a playroom while your therapist observes your behavior from an observation room through a one-way mirror and/or real-time video conferencing.
Children who participate in PCIT often develop greater self-esteem, experience less disruptive behavior, and learn how to better express feelings. In addition, PCIT can help parents, guardians, and caregivers learn how to discipline children in a healthy way and may contribute to greater confidence in dealing with behavioral problems, whether publicly or at home.
From working on relationship enhancement to decreasing the frequency of negative behaviors, PCIT offers a unique opportunity to manage your child's behaviors while remaining calm, consistent, and confident. If your child tends to throw tantrums, struggles with school refusal, or experiences other behavioral problems, one of our licensed therapists can help you explore your treatment options, including our PCIT program.
Specialized Child Therapy Services
In addition to our general child therapy services, we offer specialized services that cater to the unique needs of children and families. These services include:
Behavioral Parent Training: Our behavioral parent training program is designed to help parents and caregivers develop the skills and strategies they need to manage their child’s behavioral concerns. Our trained therapists work with parents to identify the underlying causes of their child’s behavior and develop a personalized plan to address these concerns.
Family Therapy: Our family therapy services are designed to help families work together to address the emotional and behavioral concerns of their child or adolescent. Our therapists work with families to identify the underlying causes of their child’s behavior and develop a comprehensive plan to address these concerns.
End Your Search for “Child Therapist Near Me”
At the Baltimore Therapy Group, we strive to provide a safe space for children and their families to navigate mental health concerns, practice emotional regulation, and cultivate positive feelings. Whether you’re seeking mental health treatment for the first time or searching for a compassionate child therapist, our experienced mental health providers will support you and your child every step of the way. We also address medical concerns as part of our comprehensive care, ensuring that families dealing with chronic illnesses receive the psychological support they need.
New Child Therapy Patients
If you are considering seeking therapy services for your child or adolescent, we invite you to contact us to schedule an initial consultation. During this consultation, we will work with you to identify your child’s specific needs and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses these concerns.
Our intake process is designed to be efficient and effective, and we strive to schedule appointments within a week of initial contact. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality therapy services, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment that allows children to thrive. If you have any questions or concerns about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Meet Our Baltimore Child Therapists
Our child counselors use empirically supported treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Expressive Therapies, such as play therapy, art, and sand tray, to help children and their family members build resilience and overcome the struggles that bring them to therapy. Stress management is a crucial part of our therapeutic services, where we teach strategies to manage stress effectively, fostering better communication and resilience within families. Meet our Baltimore child therapists Jessica Jones, LCSW-C, and Rachel Greenberg, LCPC.
Rachel Greenberg Larson, LCPC
Rachel helps children, adolescents, and families cope with a variety of issues from anxiety and depression to behavioral problems and emotion regulation. Throughout the process of therapy, Rachel cultivates a warm and genuine therapeutic relationship. She draws on her certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide her work. Rachel sees children as young as 3 years old and also enjoys her work with adolescents. She sees children and adolescents for in-person therapy sessions in our Baltimore Therapy office and also works with children in virtual sessions. Rachel also focuses on stress management techniques to help children and families cope with various challenges.
Jessica Inge, LCSW-C
Jessica, one of our expert child therapists, enjoys working with children aged 7 and up. Her work is informed by evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She believes that these approaches, along with a strong and authentic therapeutic relationship, will help your child overcome the challenges bringing them into therapy. Her areas of expertise include anxiety, trauma, depression and grief. Jessica sees children and adolescents for virtual therapy sessions only. She also addresses medical concerns, particularly for families dealing with chronic illnesses and related anxieties.
Our Child Therapy Speciality Services
FAMILY THERAPY →
Support for families navigating conflict, communication breakdowns, life transitions, and behavioral challenges affecting the entire family system.
PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY →
Evidence-based treatment strengthening parent-child relationships and addressing behavioral challenges in young children.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Therapy in Baltimore
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Consider therapy if your child experiences persistent changes in behavior, mood, or functioning that last more than a few weeks. Signs include excessive worry or anxiety that interferes with daily activities, difficulty managing emotions (frequent tantrums, aggression, or crying), withdrawal from activities they used to enjoy, changes in sleep or eating patterns, academic decline or school refusal, difficulty making or keeping friends, or trauma from a significant life event like divorce, death, or abuse.
If you're unsure, a consultation with a child therapist can help you determine whether therapy would be beneficial. Many issues that seem small early on become more difficult to address later, so earlier intervention often leads to better outcomes.
What happens during the first child therapy session?
The first session typically involves meeting with parents (either alone or with the child, depending on age) to understand the concerns bringing your family to therapy. Your therapist will ask about your child's developmental history, current symptoms, family dynamics, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. For younger children, the therapist may use play or activities to build rapport. Older children and teens may participate more directly in the conversation.
Based on this assessment, your therapist will recommend a treatment approach (such as CBT, PCIT, or play therapy) and develop a personalized treatment plan. You'll discuss the frequency of sessions, expected timeline, and how parents will be involved.
Will my child's therapy be confidential?
Therapy for minors involves a balance between confidentiality and parental involvement. Therapists are legally required to share certain information with parents, including any safety concerns (if your child is at risk of harming themselves or others) or suspected abuse. For general therapy content, the level of confidentiality depends on your child's age and developmental level.
Young children's therapy is typically less confidential—parents are kept informed about what's discussed. For adolescents, therapists often establish a confidentiality agreement where teens can discuss certain topics privately unless there are safety concerns. This helps teens feel comfortable being honest while keeping parents appropriately informed about progress and important issues.
Does child therapy really work?
Yes. Research consistently shows that evidence-based therapies for children are highly effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has strong evidence for treating childhood anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and ADHD-related concerns. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) significantly reduces disruptive behaviors and improves parent-child relationships. Play therapy helps younger children process emotions and experiences they can't yet verbalize.
Success depends on several factors: using evidence-based approaches (which we do at the Baltimore Therapy Group), consistent attendance, parent involvement and follow-through with recommendations, and a good therapeutic relationship between your child and therapist. Most children who receive appropriate therapy show measurable improvement in their symptoms and functioning.
Can my child do therapy online?
Yes. Research shows that teletherapy (online therapy) can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many childhood concerns, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. At the Baltimore Therapy Group, some of our child therapists offer virtual sessions, which can be convenient for families with busy schedules or transportation challenges.
Online therapy works best for older children and adolescents who can engage independently with video sessions. Younger children may need more parental support during virtual sessions or may do better with in-person therapy where they can use play materials. Your therapist can help you determine whether online or in-person therapy is the best fit for your child's age and needs.
What should I tell my child about starting therapy?
How you introduce therapy depends on your child's age. For young children (3-7), keep it simple and positive: "We're going to meet with someone who helps kids with their big feelings" or "This is a special place where kids go to learn how to feel better when they're having a hard time." Emphasize that it's not a punishment.
For school-age children (8-12), be more specific about why you're seeking therapy while remaining positive: "I noticed you've been really worried lately, and we're going to meet with someone who teaches kids how to handle worries" or "Lots of kids see therapists when they're going through tough times like our family is right now."
For teens, be direct and collaborative: explain your concerns, acknowledge their feelings about starting therapy, and involve them in the decision when possible. Emphasize confidentiality and that the therapist is their ally, not another authority figure reporting back to you.
Can therapy help with school refusal?
Yes. School refusal (when a child refuses to go to school or has significant distress about attending) often stems from anxiety, social difficulties, bullying, learning challenges, or family issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for school refusal, especially when anxiety is the underlying cause.
Treatment typically involves identifying the specific fears or concerns driving the refusal, gradually exposing the child to school-related situations, teaching coping skills for managing anxiety, problem-solving around specific school challenges, and working with parents and school personnel to support the child's return. The goal is a gradual, supported return to school rather than forcing immediate attendance, which often backfires. Early intervention is important—the longer a child is out of school, the harder it becomes to return.