Childhood and adolescence are times of incredible growth, but they can also bring significant emotional, social, and behavioral challenges. As a parent, watching your child struggle with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or social difficulties can be heartbreaking—especially when you’re unsure how to help.
At Davenport Psychology, our team of doctoral-level clinical psychologists specializes in child and adolescent mental health. Unlike many practices that employ master’s-level counselors, our Psy.D. psychologists have completed extensive training in developmental psychology, child psychopathology, and evidence-based interventions specifically designed for young people.
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Understanding Common Diagnoses in Childhood & Adolescence
As clinical psychologists, a key part of our work is providing an accurate diagnosis to guide effective treatment. While a formal diagnosis can only be made after a comprehensive evaluation, it can be helpful for parents to understand the signs of some common conditions.
When to Seek Therapy for Your Child or Teen
Distinguishing between normal developmental phases and issues requiring professional support can be challenging. You know your child best—trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it’s worth exploring. Early intervention can prevent problems from escalating and provide your child with lifelong coping skills.
Consider therapy if your child shows:
Emotional Warning Signs:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness lasting more than two weeks
- Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily activities
- Intense anger or irritability disproportionate to situations
- Emotional numbness or disconnection from others
- Extreme mood swings affecting relationships
Behavioral Red Flags:
- Aggressive behavior toward siblings, peers, or adults
- Defiance and rule-breaking beyond typical boundaries
- Regression to earlier developmental behaviors
- Self-harm behaviors or talking about death
- Substance experimentation or risky behaviors
Social & Academic Concerns:
- Social withdrawal from friends and family
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Sudden drop in grades or academic performance
- School refusal or frequent absences
- Bullying (as victim or perpetrator)
Physical Symptoms:
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches without medical cause
- Changes in eating patterns (overeating or loss of appetite)
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, or excessive sleeping)
- Unexplained fatigue or loss of energy
Life Events That May Require Support:
- Parents’ divorce or separation
- Death of a loved one or pet
- Moving or changing schools
- Witnessing or experiencing trauma
- Chronic illness in the family
- New sibling or blended family dynamics
Signs of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
A child with ADHD may consistently struggle with:
Inattention: Difficulty staying on task, frequent daydreaming, losing things, or seeming not to listen when spoken to directly.
Hyperactivity: Constant fidgeting, inability to stay seated, or excessive talking.
Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting others frequently, or having difficulty waiting their turn.
Signs of Anxiety
A child struggling with anxiety may show:
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Excessive Worry: Constant, uncontrollable worry about future events, school performance, or social situations.
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Physical Symptoms: Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause, restlessness, or fatigue.
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Avoidance: A strong desire to avoid school, social gatherings, or specific situations that trigger their fear.
Signs of ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
A child with ODD may exhibit a persistent pattern of:
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Angry and Irritable Mood: Often losing their temper and being easily annoyed or resentful.
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Argumentative and Defiant Behavior: Actively defying requests from authority figures and deliberately annoying others.
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Vindictiveness: Showing spiteful or vindictive behavior.
Our Expert Approach to Child & Adolescent Therapy
Effective therapy for young people is not just “talk therapy” for adults scaled down. It requires a specialized, evidence-based approach that is tailored to their unique developmental stage. Our team, including specialists like Dr. Keri Downs, a Licensed Psychologist (PY11909, PsyPact 17577, and NPI: 1538213731) is trained in the most effective empirically modalities for working with children and teens.
Our Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
Effective child and adolescent therapy requires specialized training and age-appropriate interventions. Our doctoral-level psychologists are trained in multiple evidence-based modalities, allowing us to customize treatment to your child’s unique needs, developmental stage, and presenting concerns.
Play Therapy (Ages 3-12)
Play is children’s natural language. Through play therapy, children express feelings, process experiences, and develop coping skills in a way that feels safe and natural. Our play therapy rooms are equipped with:
- Therapeutic toys and games for emotional expression
- Art supplies for creative processing
- Sand trays for symbolic work
- Puppets and dolls for storytelling
- Building materials for constructive play
- Research shows play therapy effectively reduces behavioral problems, anxiety, and trauma symptoms in children (Association for Play Therapy, 2024).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Youth
CBT helps children and teens understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We adapt CBT to be developmentally appropriate through:
- For Children: Using games, worksheets, and visual aids to teach concepts
- For Teens: Incorporating technology, journaling, and real-world applications
- Teaching practical skills like thought challenging and behavioral activation
- Creating “coping toolboxes” children can use independently
CBT is highly effective for childhood anxiety and depression, with success rates of 60-80% (JAACAP, 2017).
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
For children who’ve experienced trauma, TF-CBT provides a structured, evidence-based approach that includes:
- Psychoeducation about trauma responses
- Relaxation and coping skills training
- Gradual exposure through trauma narrative work
- Cognitive processing of trauma-related thoughts
- Parent involvement for support and understanding
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
For young children (ages 2-7) with behavioral challenges, PCIT coaches parents in real-time to:
- Strengthen the parent-child bond
- Increase positive behaviors through strategic attention
- Decrease negative behaviors through consistent discipline
- Improve communication and cooperation
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A)
For teens struggling with intense emotions, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, DBT-A teaches:
- Distress Tolerance: Crisis survival skills without self-harm
- Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense feelings
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Assertiveness and relationship skills
- Mindfulness: Present-moment awareness and acceptance
A child does not exist in a vacuum. We believe that lasting change happens when the entire family system is involved. Our approach always includes close collaboration with parents, providing you with insights and strategies to support your child’s progress at home through dedicated parent coaching sessions.
Conditions We Specialize in Treating
Our psychologists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of childhood and adolescent mental health conditions. We use evidence-based assessments and interventions tailored to each condition’s unique features.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder affects 8-10% of children. We help with:
- Improving focus and attention through cognitive training
- Teaching organizational and time management skills
- Managing hyperactivity and impulsivity
- Building executive function skills
- Parent training for behavior management
- School collaboration for accommodations
Learn more about our ADHD treatment approach.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is the most common mental health concern in children. We treat:
- Generalized Anxiety: Excessive worry about multiple areas
- Social Anxiety: Fear of social situations and peer judgment
- Separation Anxiety: Distress when separated from caregivers
- Specific Phobias: Intense fears (animals, darkness, medical)
- Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks
- School Refusal: Anxiety-based school avoidance
Explore our childhood anxiety treatment.
Depression & Mood Disorders
Childhood depression often presents differently than adult depression:
- Irritability and anger rather than sadness
- Physical complaints without medical cause
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Academic decline
- Changes in sleep and appetite
- Low self-esteem and guilt
Learn about depression treatment for youth.
Trauma & PTSD
Children may develop trauma responses from:
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Witnessing violence or accidents
- Natural disasters
- Medical trauma
- Bullying or peer victimization
- Loss of loved ones
Discover our trauma-informed approach.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
We provide support for children with ASD including:
- Social skills training
- Emotional regulation strategies
- Managing sensory sensitivities
- Developing flexibility and coping with change
- Family support and education
Learn about autism support services.
Behavioral Disorders
Including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder:
- Frequent temper outbursts
- Argumentative and defiant behavior
- Vindictiveness or spite
- Aggression toward people or animals
- Destruction of property
- Serious rule violations
Learning Disorders
We provide support and strategies for:
- Dyslexia (reading difficulties)
- Dyscalculia (math difficulties)
- Dysgraphia (writing difficulties)
- Processing disorders
- Academic confidence building
Explore learning disorder support.
For parents seeking to understand the root causes of these struggles, we also offer a:
Psychoeducational Consultation called “Find Your Fit.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
It can be difficult to distinguish between normal developmental phases and issues that may require professional support. You are the expert on your child, and if your intuition tells you they are struggling, it’s worth exploring. Therapy can be incredibly beneficial if you notice persistent changes such as intense sadness or worry, social withdrawal, sudden academic problems, or significant behavioral shifts at home or school.
What is Play Therapy?
For young children, play is their natural language. They often express complex feelings and experiences through play when they can’t yet put them into words. Play therapy uses toys, games, and creative activities in a safe, therapeutic environment to help children process difficult experiences, learn emotional regulation, and develop healthy coping skills in a way that is natural to them.
Will I be involved in my child’s therapy?
Absolutely. We view our work with children and adolescents as a partnership with parents. While your child’s one-on-one sessions are confidential to build trust, a core part of our treatment involves close collaboration with you. Through dedicated parent coaching sessions, we provide you with insights into your child’s world and equip you with effective strategies to support their progress at home and school.
What ages do you work with?
We provide therapy for children as young as 6 and adolescents through age 18. Our approach is tailored to each developmental stage, using play therapy for younger children and talk therapy/CBT for teens.
How long does therapy typically take?
Treatment length varies based on the child’s needs and the concerns being addressed. Many families see significant progress within 12-16 sessions, though some children benefit from longer-term support. We regularly review progress with parents.
Do you offer teletherapy for children and teens?
Yes! Dr. Keri Downs is licensed through PSYPACT, allowing her to provide secure teletherapy across multiple states. Many children and teens do very well with online therapy, especially when it eliminates travel time and allows them to be in the comfort of home.
Will you communicate with my child’s school?
With your permission, we can coordinate with teachers, school counselors, or other school staff to ensure consistent support. We can also help with 504 plan development or IEP meetings when appropriate.
Learn More From Our Child Psychologists
Parenting is a journey, and having the right information is key. Our doctoral-level psychologists have written extensively on topics related to child and adolescent mental health. We have selected the following articles to provide you with deeper insights and practical strategies for supporting your child:
When Learning Styles and Schools Don’t Match: The Hidden Impact on Children’s Mental Health
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Introduction to the Parent Coaching Model
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