True North Clinical Associates
Child & Teen Therapy
Creating pathways to emotional health for teens and children in Naperville & Downers Grove, Illinois. Online therapy across Illinois.
True North Clinical Associates
Child & Teen Therapy
We help teens and children understand their emotions and navigate life’s challenges in Naperville & Downers Grove, Illinois. Online therapy across Illinois.
Learn to regulate emotions
Increase self awareness
Improve communication skills
“Why is my kid so reactive?”
As a parent, it can feel like anything you do sets off your child, leaving you walking on eggshells and unsure how to help. Their emotional outbursts affect their relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being.
True North Clinical Associates, can provide the tools and support your child needs to understand and regulate their emotions for a happier more balanced life.
Child & Teen Therapy In Naperville & Downers Grove
You know your child best.
If you notice any of the following in your child, it may be time to seek professional support.
- Increased defiance or oppositional behavior.
- Frequent negative outbursts and irritability.
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy.
- Struggles with schoolwork or reluctance to attend school.
- Difficulty concentrating or staying focused on tasks.
- Engaging in risky behaviors or substance use as a coping mechanism.
- Negative self-talk and feelings of worthlessness.
True North Clinical Associates
How We Can Support You
Child Therapy (5+)
Therapy for children focuses on helping them understand and express their emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. Through play and creative activities, therapists can engage children in ways that make it easier for them to communicate their feelings and experiences.
Teen Therapy
Therapy for teens addresses crucial aspects of identity formation, helping them navigate the complexities of who they are and who they want to become. It also focuses on peer relationships, offering guidance on how to form and maintain healthy, supportive friendships while managing social and academic pressures.
Parent Support
Parent support therapy focuses on helping parents navigate challenges and enhance family dynamics alongside their child’s treatment. Through personalized guidance and practical strategies, therapists assist parents in understanding and addressing their child’s needs more effectively.
Child & Teen Therapy In Naperville & Downers Grove
Areas We Support
Our targeted approach aims to equip children and teens with awareness, understanding, and the tools and techniques to manage symptoms and navigate challenges with more ease.
ADHD
We help your child manage ADHD symptoms to enhance focus, organization, and daily functioning.
Autism
We promote social skills and communication, ensuring tailored support for those on the autism spectrum.
Social Skiils
We engage children through play to explore and resolve behavioral issues promoting emotional growth and problem-solving skills.
Anxiety
We use proven techniques to reduce anxiety, promoting calm and confidence.
Coping Skills
We teach effective coping strategies through play and neurofeedback, fostering emotional growth and resilience.
Executive Skills
We enhance executive functioning skills, improving planning, and organization.
Depression
We provide comprehensive support to manage depression, fostering hope and emotional healing.
Anger Management
We provide strategies to understand and control anger, improving relationships and emotional expression.
Life Transitions
We help navigate life transitions with confidence, providing tools for a smoother adjustment.
Self-Esteem
We help build self-esteem through supportive therapy, encouraging self-acceptance and growth.
OCD
We offer techniques to manage OCD symptoms, fostering hope and improving quality of life.
Bullying
We support handling bullying, building self-esteem and resilience to stand up for oneself.
True North Clinical Associates
Approaches Used in Child & Teen Therapy
At True North Clinical Associates, we implement validated and effective treatments using language and concepts thoughtfully selected based upon your child’s age and personal characteristics.
Play Therapy
Play therapy lets kids use play to express their feelings and work through issues. We provide a safe space for them to explore their emotions and experiences, helping them grow and heal in a natural and fun way.
1:1 Sessions
One-on-one sessions give kids personalized support to address their unique needs. These sessions help build a strong bond with the therapist and focus on developing healthy coping skills and emotional regulation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT teaches kids to spot and change negative thoughts and behaviors. We show them practical ways to manage their emotions and think positively, helping them tackle challenges and feel better overall.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback uses real-time brain activity monitoring to help kids improve focus and reduce anxiety. It’s a non-invasive way to boost their mental wellness and help them feel more in control.
Inspiring Growth and Confidence.
about us
Why Work With
True North
Clinical Associates?
At True North, we believe everyone can benefit from a little guidance to reach their desired destination.
Whether you know exactly what needs fixing or feel completely lost, deciding where to begin can be daunting. With day-to-day struggles consuming most of your energy, it can leave you wondering when things will get better; when you’ll feel like you’re on the right path. We’re here to help you reimagine your life on your terms.
“True North” is marked by a bright star, the celestial North Pole, guiding travelers directly upward. In our daily lives, True North represents the positive changes and growth we strive for to live more enjoyable and productive lives. Our practice embodies this ideology, reflecting that through positive changes, insight, communication, and new ways of relating to others, we can each find a personal direction that is both upward and true.
We provide therapy that is practical, evidence-based, and most importantly, achievable. Our expertise comes in an unexpectedly casual but reassuringly professional setting, with nothing but the highest hopes for your success.
NEXT STOP: BETTER AND BETTER.
At True North Clinical Associates, we pride ourselves on therapy that is:
Directly acknowledging issues does wonders to provide relief even before taking action. It’s crucial not to assume we understand our client's needs and wishes, but to express and clarify them directly.
We value diversity and the unique insights it brings to the therapeutic process. We provide a safe non-judgmental space where clients feel accepting energy once they engage with us.
Our approach is client-centered, meaning your needs are always our top priority. It’s all about you and ensuring that your therapy experience is tailored to meet your specific goals.
Your Guides
Meet Our Child & Teen Therapists
Our Therapeutic Approach
YOUR GUIDE TO GROWTH
Our approach in child and teen therapy is designed to support young individuals in navigating their unique challenges by helping them understand their emotions and develop essential coping skills.
The first meeting involves the parent, child, and therapist discussing what has been going on and setting the stage for therapy. This session helps build a foundation of trust and understanding, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and heard.
Following the initial meeting, the child will participate in individual therapy sessions, with ongoing support and input from parents. These sessions are tailored to the child’s needs, helping them to explore their feelings and develop coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment.
Regular meetings with parents are scheduled to support open communication and coordinate efforts between home and therapy. These sessions ensure that parents are informed and involved, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the therapy process.
Therapy may also involve coordination with other professionals such as school social workers, teachers, babysitters, physicians, and psychiatrists. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the child’s well-being are addressed, providing comprehensive support for their emotional and mental health.
Therapy in naperville & Downers grove
Frequently Asked Questions About Child & Teen Therapy
Will my kid be alright?
The world is full of happy, well-adjusted adults who had a hard time during childhood. Our job is to make sure that your child is one of them. To make that happen, we trust our instincts and address issues now rather than hoping that the phase will pass. Think back to your childhood and how later life would have been different if things were taken care of then. Youth provides a window of opportunity to take care of things before they become unhealthy patterns before they bring about related outcomes that further upset and challenge development.
Is this normal or something I should worry about?
Everything that is concerning about your child falls somewhere on a continuum between normal and highly alarming. The good thing about providing therapy to children is that we can often address something before it escalates into the alarming range. A child who seems to be seeking more reassurance or appears clingy may not have an established anxiety disorder, but will likely benefit from support and education to help keep their sensitivity from becoming anxiety. Similarly, a child with an anxiety disorder is not likely to become the most easy going laid back child. But, with the support and education that comes in therapy, we may gently guide them to become one of the sensitive but happy people among us.
Should I back off or zoom in?
Yes. Or, both. These days, helicopter parents seem to have been replaced by drone parents. Yet such an intense level of oversight often undermines the development of emotional competence and self-efficacy. So a happy medium is an appropriate goal. Kids should come to know that their parents are watching and caring, ready to jump in and provide support but lovingly standing by while they figure things out. Often, that includes providing them with a safe and trusted, professional, non-family member to talk through things with.
How much counseling will my child need?
Every Wednesday at 5 for the rest of their lives. Or, maybe a little less. The truth is, many kids benefit from therapy pretty quickly and can be weaned from their regular session. At that point, it is often quite helpful to have an “as needed” counselor with whom they have already developed a nice rapport to have a few sessions here and there when they hit a rough patch. Other times, when a child is dealing with a more serious, long-standing challenge, regular therapy is indicated for a much longer period. In each case, decisions about the frequency and duration of therapy are made with input from the child, parents and therapist on an ongoing basis.
Will my child agree to therapy?
If you imagine a stereotypical therapist like those on TV shows, you may fear that your child will never buy in. Have no fear, here, as the therapists of True North pride themselves in presenting an engaging, casual vibe. Everything is taken into consideration from office decor and vibe to therapist energy and presentation. You’ll surprised to find how open your child will be after the first meeting.
How long will it take to feel better
Treatment length for your child or teen is highly individualized. For those who are struggling with a specific stressor or situation, targeted support may bring about significant relief in a short time. For those that are challenged by trait challenges, or whom have been diagnosed with a more serious mental health condition, treatment is likely to be a longer-term endeavor. Take comfort in the fact that communication will occur throughout, and treatment need will be assessed and adapted as appropriate. To support longer-term stability, sessions often become more staggered and less frequent over time.
True North Clinical Associates
Possible Outcomes of Child & Teen Therapy
Every person and situation is unique. As a result, we can’t guarantee any specific results or timeline. However, if they stick to it long enough…
- Smiling and laughing more often.
- Communicating effectively (and nicely) with family members.
- Showing increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Being more flexible and open.
- Calming themselves when upset.
- Taking responsibility for their actions.
- Relief from worry and less irritability.
- A brighter, more hopeful outlook.
- More flexibility in their thinking and behavior.
- Greater satisfaction and happiness within the family.
- Improved communication conflict resolution, and overall family dynamics.
- A stronger bond and a more nurturing environment.
- Increased confidence in handling parenting challenges.
- Greater peace of mind knowing their child is developing healthy coping skills.
- Reduced stress and anxiety related to their child's behavior and emotional health.
True North Clinical Associates
LET’S DO THIS!
True North Clinical Associates offers in-person counseling from our Naperville & Downers Grove locations or online from anywhere in Illinois.
You can book a free 20-minute phone consultation using the button below. You can also send us a message or call us and we will get you scheduled.
- 1776 Legacy Cir STE 114, Naperville, IL 60563
- 5151 Mochel Dr STE 305, Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Online therapy sessions are offered across Illinois
True North Clinical Associates
Child & Teen Therapy
Guiding youth to emotional wellness.
