Youth and Family Therapy Dream Big Wellness

Parents and caregivers may consider therapy when they notice their child struggling with:

• Anxiety, worry, or persistent fears

• Sadness, irritability, or withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed

• Difficulty managing emotions or frequent outbursts

• Trouble focusing at school or changes in academic performance

• Challenges with peers, friendships, or bullying

• Adjusting to family changes such as divorce, relocation, or loss

• Stress related to identity, self-esteem, or big life transitions

Therapy doesn’t just help with problems—it can also provide space for growth, creativity, and healthy emotional development.

Children and teens often find it easier to express feelings through creativity rather than words alone. Art therapy allows them to explore thoughts and emotions using drawing, painting, collage, or other creative processes.

At Dream Big Wellness, art therapy is not about making “good” art—it’s about creating a safe space for self-expression, problem-solving, and emotional release. For younger children in particular, art provides a natural and engaging way to communicate what may feel too big or confusing to put into words.

Medical challenges affect not just the body, but the heart and mind as well. Children and teens living with chronic pain, chronic illness, or cancer may face fear, sadness, isolation, or uncertainty. Therapy offers:

• A safe outlet to process difficult feelings related to illness or treatment

• Tools for coping with stress, medical procedures, or physical limitations

• Support for identity development when health needs impact school, friendships, or daily life

• Space for siblings and caregivers to share their own feelings and find support

Our therapists specialize in the emotional side of medical journeys, helping children and families find resilience, meaning, and moments of joy even in hard circumstances.

• Involvement: For younger children, therapy typically involves active parent/caregiver participation, whether through family sessions, regular updates, or collaborative planning.

• Support for Parents: Parenting a struggling child can be overwhelming. We offer guidance, tools, and emotional support for parents alongside their child’s therapy.

• Collaboration with Schools or Providers: With consent, we can coordinate with teachers, medical providers, or other members of your child’s support team to ensure care is consistent and holistic

In Washington, children 13 years and older have the legal right to consent to their own outpatient mental health treatment (RCW 71.34.530). This means adolescents may choose to participate in therapy without parental permission, and they also have rights to confidentiality.

At Dream Big Wellness, we respect these rights while also fostering open communication between youth and their families whenever possible. Our goal is to balance teen privacy with family collaboration, creating a supportive environment for everyone involved.

Fill out our Consultation Form and We Will Reach Out to You!

Taking the first step toward therapy for your child or teen is an act of care—for their wellbeing and for your family as a whole. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, navigating chronic illness, or simply needs a safe space to grow, our therapists are here to walk alongside them.