Child & Adolescent Therapy

For younger children, Dr. Kim relies heavily on play therapy and art therapy as primary modes of expression. Children often lack the vocabulary to describe their inner experiences directly, but through play, drawing, and creative activities, they communicate their feelings, work through fears, and practice new ways of interacting with the world. Dr. Kim creates a safe, inviting therapeutic space where children feel comfortable exploring their emotions at their own pace.

With adolescents, Dr. Kim blends more traditional talk therapy with creative and experiential techniques. She meets teens where they are, building rapport by showing genuine interest in their lives, perspectives, and goals. She draws from CBT, DBT skills training, and motivational interviewing to help teens manage anxiety, navigate peer relationships, cope with academic pressure, and develop a stronger sense of identity. She is particularly skilled at engaging reluctant or skeptical teens who may be resistant to the idea of therapy.

Parent involvement is an important component of child and adolescent therapy. Dr. Kim regularly meets with parents or caregivers to share observations, provide psychoeducation, and offer practical strategies for supporting their child at home. She believes that lasting progress happens when families work together, and she is skilled at facilitating productive conversations between parents and their children.

Dr. Kim also coordinates closely with schools, pediatricians, and other professionals involved in a young person's care. Whether a child needs support for behavioral issues, emotional regulation difficulties, social skills challenges, or the impacts of family transitions, Dr. Kim provides a comprehensive and collaborative approach that addresses the whole child.

For parents deciding on next steps, here is how to work with a child and teen psychologist in Englewood, NJ.