Therapy for Children and Adolescents
- Adriane Barroso
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Parents usually notice first: Something changes quietly. A child who used to talk now says very little. A teenager who was once close seems distant. There is no single moment that marks it, but one day it becomes clear that something is off, and that’s often when therapy begins.
At Real Talk, when we meet a young person, our goal is to understand what’s happening underneath what adults call “behavior.” Every action, silence, or refusal carries a meaning. The work of therapy is to make space for that meaning to appear.
Children often speak through play, drawings, or small fragments of stories. Teenagers may not say much at all: they come to therapy because someone cares about them, not because they chose to. In both cases, our role is to make that space theirs. A place where they can think, be curious, and begin to understand themselves without pressure to please anyone.
In therapy for children and adolescents, we don’t rush to label. We don’t fill sessions with techniques. We listen. That kind of attention helps kids and teens grow in ways that are hard to describe but easy to notice: they start to feel more at home with who they are.
Parents are part of this process. They hold the history of their child, the context, the everyday life. We talk with them, share impressions, and help them see what’s happening in a new light. The goal isn’t to teach parents how to handle their child, but to think together about what the child might be trying to say.
Therapy helps when a young person is anxious, sad, angry, withdrawn, or confused. It also helps when there isn’t a clear problem, but parents sense that something isn’t right. The earlier we create a space for them to speak, the easier it is for them to find their own way.
Real therapy for kids and teens isn’t about changing who they are. It’s about helping them find a voice for what they already feel.
We see children and teenagers both in person in Houston and online across Texas.
If you’ve noticed changes in your child or teen, reach out. A first conversation is often enough to understand what kind of help might be needed.
