Children’s Therapy in Kirkland, WA

Supporting Emotional Growth, Resilience, and Healing
In-Person in Kirkland & Telehealth Across Washington State

At Thrive Counseling Kirkland, we help children navigate life’s challenges and reach their full potential. Kids can face a variety of stressors, including bullying, divorce, school transitions, friendship difficulties, developmental milestones, and past trauma.

Our children’s therapists are trained to help your child understand and process emotions, make sense of their world, and develop healthy coping skills. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space where your child can explore feelings, process experiences, and build confidence—without fear of judgment.

Counseling is tailored individually to your child and where they are at. Some children are talkative and ready to engage in conversation. Other children do not have the words or know how to express what they are experiencing, so they act out through unwanted behaviors or withdraw. This is where play therapy is beneficial, through the use of play and/or art the therapist is able to have a window into the kids’ world and begin to help them put language to what they are experiencing. Play therapy is a bridge that helps address and resolve what is bothering kids.

Why Children Benefit from Therapy

Every child is unique, and behavior is often a reflection of underlying emotions or past experiences. Therapy helps children:

• Process trauma and daily life challenges

• Understand and communicate emotions

• Manage anxiety, depression, or frustration

• Learn coping skills to navigate difficult situations

Your child may benefit from counseling if they are experiencing:

• Persistent sadness, anxiety, or worry

• Anger outbursts or emotional reactivity

• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities

• Changes in sleeping or eating habits

• Self-harm, substance use, or talking about harming themselves or others

• Difficulty in school or friendships

• Expressing that they feel like they don’t belong

Through therapy, children gain hope, clarity, and confidence while learning to express and manage the full range of their emotions.

What Children’s Therapy Looks Like

Therapy is tailored to your child’s developmental stage and personality:

• Some children are talkative and ready to engage in conversation

• Others may struggle to verbalize feelings and may act out or withdraw

For children who need extra support expressing themselves, we often use play therapy or sand tray approaches. Play therapy provides a bridge for children to explore their experiences safely and helps the therapist understand their inner world.

Supporting Parents and Families

Parenting can be challenging. Outbursts, defiance, or withdrawal can feel overwhelming. Therapy can help parents:

• Understand the reasons behind behaviors

• Gain new tools and strategies for guidance

• Support their child’s emotional growth

We partner with families to help children build a foundation for healthy adulthood while creating a more harmonious home environment.

If your child is struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Counseling provides support, insight, and tools for both children and families.

We offer in-person sessions in Kirkland, WA and telehealth across Washington State.