Clinical Services Overview for Children and Families
Intake and Initial Assessment
The first step in your child’s treatment at CDCW is a comprehensive intake session. This initial meeting is designed to gather a detailed understanding of your concerns, your child’s developmental and behavioral history, and relevant family background. Our clinicians may also explore additional emotional, behavioral, or cognitive patterns to ensure a well-rounded perspective on your child’s functioning.
To supplement the intake process, you may be asked to complete standardized questionnaires that compare your child’s behaviors to normative data for their age group. These tools assist in identifying areas of concern and guide treatment planning.
Due to the complexity involved in understanding and accurately diagnosing childhood concerns, the assessment process may extend beyond the first session. Your clinician will maintain open communication throughout this process and, with your written consent, may coordinate with other involved professionals, such as physicians, therapists, or educators. In some cases, collaboration with your child’s school may be recommended to gather additional context and help support your child more effectively across settings.
If further diagnostic clarity is needed, your clinician may recommend a formal psychological or neuropsychological evaluation. These assessments are described in detail below.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is often a key component of treatment, even for younger children. Direct time with a trained clinician allows your child to build a trusting therapeutic relationship and to feel safe expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. For younger children, sessions often include parents and caregivers to facilitate support and communication within the family system.
Our clinicians utilize a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each child’s developmental level and clinical needs. For young children, therapy may include play-based interventions, as play is a natural and developmentally appropriate way for them to express emotions and process experiences. Art, music, and storytelling may also be integrated as therapeutic tools. Each clinician brings their own training and preferred therapeutic style, and we encourage parents to ask questions and share concerns at any time.
Family Therapy
Because family relationships play a critical role in a child’s emotional development, family therapy is often a valuable part of treatment. Family sessions provide an opportunity to strengthen positive communication, improve problem-solving, and address patterns of interaction that may be contributing to difficulties.
Through collaborative sessions, family members can work together to reinforce healthy dynamics, navigate challenges, and celebrate progress. In many cases, children who receive individual therapy also benefit from learning how to more effectively engage with their caregivers—especially during times of conflict or distress.
Group Therapy
Children spend much of their lives in peer-based environments, making group therapy a powerful and developmentally appropriate treatment modality. For children and adolescents who face challenges in social settings—such as difficulties with peer relationships, social anxiety, or communication issues—group therapy offers a supportive space to learn, practice, and improve social-emotional skills.
CDCW offers a range of group therapy options tailored to specific age groups and clinical concerns. Most groups run for 8 weeks and focus on skill-building, emotional regulation, and peer interaction. New participants are always welcome. Please visit our [Group Therapy page] or contact us directly to learn about current and upcoming group offerings.
Psychological and Neuropsychological Evaluations
Accurate assessment and diagnosis in children can be complex, as they may not yet have the cognitive or emotional vocabulary to express their inner experiences clearly. For example, children experiencing depression may not articulate sadness directly but may present as irritable, angry, or withdrawn. Similarly, distinguishing between anxiety, mood dysregulation, attention difficulties, and behavioral concerns often requires a more structured evaluation.
Our psychological and neuropsychological evaluations are comprehensive and individualized. These assessments provide in-depth insight into a child’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning and are often recommended by physicians, psychiatrists, school personnel, and mental health providers. Evaluations may also be requested by parents who have specific concerns about their child’s development, learning, or behavior.
Common referral questions addressed through assessment include:
- Academic Achievement and Learning Disabilities
- Adaptive Behavior
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Anxiety and Mood Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar and Mood Dysregulation Disorders
- Cognitive Functioning and IQ
- Depression
- Developmental Delays
- Emotional Dysregulation
- Executive Functioning (e.g., planning, organization, working memory)
- Medication Management
Following the evaluation, families receive a comprehensive written report that includes diagnostic impressions and individualized treatment recommendations. These may guide therapy, inform school accommodations, or support referrals for additional services.
If you are unsure whether your child would benefit from a formal evaluation, we invite you to speak with one of our clinical psychologists or assessment specialists.
