Stefanie Foster

## Your Child Is Having Really Big Feelings—and You’re Not Always Sure Why

Maybe small frustrations turn into huge meltdowns. Your child worries about things that never bothered them before, gets angry quickly, cries easily, shuts down, or struggles to follow directions. You may be noticing changes in sleep, school, friendships, or behavior at home.

You’ve tried talking to them. But when you ask what’s wrong, the answer is often, “I don’t know.”

Sometimes children don’t have the words to explain what they’re experiencing. Instead, they show us through their behavior.

I provide child and adolescent counseling for kids struggling with anxiety, big emotions, behavioral concerns, grief and loss, difficult experiences, and family changes. My goal is to help children express what they may not yet know how to say while helping parents understand what may be happening underneath the behavior.

## When Everything Feels Like a Battle

A simple request ends in a meltdown. Your child becomes clingy, withdrawn, defiant, worried, or easily overwhelmed. And you’re left wondering:

*Am I handling this correctly? Should I be firmer? Is this anxiety or a behavior problem? Why does everything seem so hard right now?*

Therapy can help us look beyond simply stopping the behavior and understand what may be driving it. I help children recognize their emotions, cope when feelings become overwhelming, communicate what they need, and handle frustration in healthier ways.

## Play Therapy That Meets Kids Where They Are

Children don’t always process their experiences by sitting down and talking about them. My work with younger clients incorporates play, creative activities, and developmentally appropriate counseling approaches that allow children to communicate in ways that feel natural to them.

I am currently completing an 18-month Registered Play Therapy training program and have additional training in sand tray therapy.

## Support for Parents, Too

When your child is struggling, you may have tried consequences, rewards, talking, giving more space, or being firmer—and still feel like you’re guessing.

I partner with parents and caregivers to help you recognize patterns, understand your child’s needs, and find practical ways to respond during difficult moments at home.

The goal of child counseling isn’t simply fewer meltdowns. It’s helping your child understand what they’re feeling, communicate what they need, develop healthier ways to cope, and feel more confident handling big emotions.