Counseling Who

Child and Teen Counseling: Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor

Help for kids, teens and the parents who love them

Child and teen counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor at Foundations Counseling helps kids and teens with anxiety, mood, behavior, school and family stress, using play and art therapy for younger children and CBT, DBT and IFS for teens. It is private pay, about $200 per session, with a free consultation and a first appointment usually within 48 hours.

What is child and teen counseling at Foundations?

Child and teen counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor at Foundations Counseling helps kids and teens with anxiety, mood, behavior, school and family stress, using play and art therapy for younger children and CBT, DBT and IFS for teens. It is private pay, about $200 per session, with a free consultation and a first appointment usually within 48 hours.

If your child or teen is hurting themselves or talks about wanting to die, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.

How do I know if my child or teen needs therapy, or if this is normal?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests a simple test: consider seeking help if behavior or emotions last for weeks or longer, cause distress for your child or family, or interfere with school, home or friendships. In young children, watch for frequent tantrums, constant worry, or stomachaches with no medical cause. In teens, watch for lost interest in things they used to enjoy or a sudden drop in grades.

You are not alone in wondering. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 4 in 10 high school students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023. For a longer checklist, read Does My Teenager Need Therapy?.

How does counseling help younger children?

Young children often show feelings through behavior instead of words. With an anxious 6 year old or a 10 year old having tantrums no one can explain, counselors use play therapy and art therapy so kids can show what is going on through toys, drawing and stories. Parents get practical coaching too. Counseling can also help kids make sense of a divorce, a move, or the death of someone they love.

How does counseling help teenagers?

Teens usually talk more when they feel respected rather than managed. Counselors use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change anxious or harsh thought patterns, DBT skills to handle intense emotions, and IFS and mindfulness to understand the parts of themselves that feel stuck. Common reasons teens come in include anxiety, including social anxiety in high achievers, depression and self image, ADHD that is starting to affect school, and stress about friends or family.

Fit matters as much as method. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) advises parents to find a professional with experience treating children and adolescents, and a comfortable match between your child, your family and the counselor. If your teen would open up more to a male or female counselor, tell us at the consultation.

What if my teen refuses to go to therapy?

Pushback is common. Name what you have noticed without blame, give your teen a real say in who they see and when, and frame the first visit as a trial rather than a commitment. If your teen still says no, you can start with a parent session to plan your next step.

What happens in the first sessions?

For younger children, the counselor usually meets with parents first to hear the history, then spends early sessions with your child building trust through play. For teens, the counselor often meets with the teen and parent together, then with the teen alone. In the first few sessions you agree on a few clear goals and how parents will stay involved.

How does confidentiality work with a teen, the counselor and parents?

At the start, your counselor explains what stays private and what gets shared. Teens need a private space to be honest, so parents usually hear about goals and general progress rather than the details of each conversation. Safety is the exception: if there is a serious risk of harm to your teen or someone else, the counselor will involve you.

Who will we work with, and where?

Many Foundations counselors list children and teens as a specialty. You can meet them in the team section on this page, or tell us about your child when you reach out and we will match you with a counselor who fits. Your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. If the first match does not feel right, our Counselor Match Guarantee means your child can meet another counselor.

Sessions are in person at our offices in Fort Collins (Central), Fort Collins (Southeast), Loveland and Windsor, or through online counseling anywhere in Colorado.

What if my child is self harming or talking about suicide?

Stay calm, listen, and let your child know you are glad they told you. According to AACAP, self injury is deliberately harming body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling, and an evaluation by a mental health professional can help find and treat the underlying causes. Counseling often focuses on naming emotions and building safer coping skills, such as DBT skills. Any talk of wanting to die needs care right away: call or text 988 any time, and call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Outpatient counseling is not an emergency service, and our counselors do not prescribe medication; for medication questions, talk with your pediatrician. If your child needs more support than weekly sessions, we will help you find the right level of care.

Ready to talk?

Questions about cost? See private pay vs insurance therapy. When you are ready, book a free consultation or call 970.227.2770.

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970.227.2770

GUARANTEED COUNSELOR MATCH

Kids and teens open up when they trust their counselor. If the first match is not the right fit, your child can meet another Foundations counselor, with a new free consultation. How the Counselor Match Guarantee works.

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HOW WE WORK WITH KIDS AND TEENS

Your counselor matches the approach to your child's age and needs, and keeps parents involved. Methods our child and teen counselors use include:

• Play therapy: for younger children who show feelings through play.
• Art therapy: drawing and creating when words are hard to find.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): changing anxious or harsh thought patterns.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): skills for intense emotions and safer coping.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS): understanding the parts of a teen that feel stuck.
• ADD and ADHD therapy: support for focus, school and follow through.

All Therapies

Do You Feel...

What brings people to counseling rarely arrives as one clear moment. More often it builds quietly: a feeling that lingers, a pattern that keeps repeating, a sense that something is off. If any of these sound familiar, reaching out to Foundations is a simple first step.

Academic Challenges

Struggling with school performance or motivation? Counseling can help identify underlying issues and develop strategies to enhance learning and engagement.

Behavioral Issues

Is your child acting out, displaying defiance, or showing aggression? Therapy can uncover the root causes and promote positive behavioral changes.

Mood Changes

Noticeable shifts in mood, such as increased irritability or emotional outbursts, can be addressed through counseling to help your child manage emotions more effectively.

Anxiety and Depression

Persistent sadness, worry, or withdrawal are signs that your child may need extra support from a qualified professional.

Social Difficulties

Struggles with friendships or peer relationships? Counseling can help kids build social skills and foster healthy interactions.

Difficulty with Concentration

Difficulty focusing can hinder academic and personal growth. Therapy can help improve your child’s attention and organizational skills.

Trauma Recovery

Has your child experienced a distressing event, like a natural disaster, accident, or loss of a loved one? Counseling can help them process and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Risky Behaviors

Is your child or teen engaging in harmful activities? Counseling provides a safe space to discuss these behaviors and work towards safer choices.

Family Transitions

Coping with divorce, relocation, or loss can be challenging for children. Therapy offers support to navigate these changes and maintain emotional stability.

Guaranteed Counselor Match Learn More

Colorado Licensed Counselors

Appointment Scheduling Within 48 Hours

Counselor Match Concierge

Expert In-house Counselor Training

All Counselors Are Employees

In-person Or Online

Local Company & Ownership

Community Involvement

Pay Per Session

First Visit Free

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Find the Right Match

We understand that the journey to emotional well-being begins with connecting you to the right counselor. That's why we proudly offer our unique Counselor Match Guarantee. We don't just pair you with any counselor; we meticulously match you with someone who aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and goals for healing and growth. If the initial pairing needs to be corrected, we encourage you to explore our diverse and experienced team until you find the perfect fit.

Your comfort and progress are paramount, so we ensure you always have a supportive and confidential environment to pursue your journey of self-discovery and healing. Choose us as your trusted partner in this transformative experience—because your well-being deserves the utmost care.

Begin your journey today and take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling tomorrow. Let us guide you to emotional wellness with our dedicated and compassionate counseling services.

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