Great Lakes Wellness Counseling: Providing Therapy for Children
Therapy for Children
in Grand Rapids, MI
At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling, we understand the importance of your
child’s mental and emotional well-being.
We offer specialized therapy services that support your child’s individual needs. Our team of dedicated therapists for children is committed to providing caring, professional, and effective therapy, helping them thrive and reach their potential.
Therapy for Children at Great Lakes Wellness Counseling Kids! is where we want you to find some rest, some help, and relief from a situation that’s probably been happening for a while now. You’re a good parent. We want you to remember that we know that! Sometimes though, we all just need an extra bit of help to ease tension, stop the fighting, and wipe the tears away to bring life, love, and laughter back to you and your child.
Parenting is No Easy Task!
We want you to know that we see you, and we acknowledge the effort you put into shaping those young lives. We’re here with you every step of the way. Remember that you’re doing an amazing job even on those tough days when you question yourself.
Our Approach to Therapy
for Children in Michigan
At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling, we take a personalized and child-centered approach to therapy. We believe that each child is unique, special, and awesome in their own way! Our therapy sessions and interventions are designed in ways that are practical, helpful, and easy to use at home as well. Our child therapists use evidenced-based techniques, age-appropriate strategies, and real-life experiences to help your child.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Excessive anger, sadness, worry, or frequent mood swings.
Withdrawal, aggression, excessive fearfulness, or difficulty concentrating.
Declines in academic performance or increased problems with friends.
Struggles with learning or developmental delays.
Traumatic events such as abuse, loss, or a major life change.
Family changes such as divorce, moving, or the birth of a new sibling.
Physical complaints such as frequent headaches, body aches, or nausea with no medical cause.
Unresolved grief or loss due to the death or loss of a loved one.
What are the benefits of counseling for children?
Counseling for children or child therapy offers many benefits that can positively impact a child or teen’s development.
To clarify there are seven key benefits to therapy for children:
1 — From Meltdowns to Calm
Skill Focus: Emotional Regulation
Children learn to identify “big feelings” before they explode. Instead of daily tantrums or silent shut-downs, your child gains practical tools to self-soothe and express frustration calmly.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Identify triggers: Recognize the physical and mental warning signs of big emotions.
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Apply calming techniques: Use breathing anchors and cognitive tools to lower distress in the moment.
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Choose healthy responses: Replace impulsive outbursts with adaptive, healthy behaviors.
2 — From Yelling to Words
Skill Focus: Improved Communication Skills
We help kids find the right words for complex emotions. Rather than acting out or stonewalling, your child learns how to tell you what they need, leading to clearer, quieter, and more honest conversations at home.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Express needs verbally: Replace behavioral outbursts with clear words to explain how they feel.
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Practice active listening: Better understand and process instructions from parents, teachers, and peers.
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Develop social boundaries: Learn to read social cues, share, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
3 — From Self-Doubt to Confidence
Skill Focus: Increased Self-Esteem
Kids build a resilient inner voice. Through strengths-focused activities, your child learns to process mistakes without giving up, resulting in a stronger sense of self-worth both in social settings and on their own.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Challenge negative self-talk: Replace critical inner thoughts with balanced, self-compassionate mindsets.
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Recognize personal strengths: Identify unique capabilities, talents, and achievements to build internal worth.
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Overcome fear of failure: Develop a growth mindset that views mistakes as learning opportunities.
4 — From Isolation to Connection
Skill Focus: Social Skill Development
We practice real-life social navigation in a safe, interactive setting. Your child gains actionable strategies for sharing, reading social cues, setting boundaries, and resolving playground conflicts without feeling overwhelmed.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Read non-verbal cues: Understand body language, facial expressions, and tones of voice.
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Practice empathy & cooperation: Learn the value of sharing, taking turns, and considering others’ perspectives.
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Navigate peer conflict: Develop peaceful problem-solving strategies to resolve playground or classroom disagreements.
5 — From Sticking In Pain to Healing
Skill Focus: Trauma & Grief Support
Big life changes—like loss, moving, or family shifts—can leave kids feeling unsafe. We provide a gentle, play-based space to process scary or sad memories so they no longer disrupt daily life or sleep.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Process painful memories safely: Express complex grief or fear at an age-appropriate pace without feeling overwhelmed.
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Reestablish a sense of safety: Reduce hypervigilance, nightmares, or anxiety triggered by traumatic stress.
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Build healthy coping loops: Transition away from survival behaviors toward emotional healing and resilience.
6 — From Daily Friction to Cooperation
Skill Focus: Behavioral Management
We equip kids with self-control skills and daily routines that work. You will notice less defiance and pushback during key transition times like morning prep, homework hour, and bedtime.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Identify behavioral triggers: Recognize the physical frustration or stress that precedes a behavioral outburst.
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Practice impulse control: Implement a “pause-and-think” window before reacting to frustrating situations.
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Adopt positive alternatives: Substitute physical reactions or defiance with verbal expression or calming strategies.
7 — From School Stress to Success
Skill Focus: Academic & Focus Support
When emotional noise quiets down, brainpower returns to learning. Children develop focus hacks and stress-relief routines that reduce classroom anxiety, cut down on school avoidance, and improve daily performance.
In therapy, your child learns to:
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Reduce school-related anxiety: Overcome test anxiety, perfectionism, or fear of public speaking.
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Enhance executive functioning: Develop better focus, time management, and organization for homework and tasks.
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Navigate learning frustrations: Build the patience and resilience required to handle difficult school subjects.
How does therapy for
children in Michigan work?
How do I know when therapy is done?
Therapy is likely finished when the child has made significant progress or achieved their goals. After that, it’s common for children to have monthly maintenance sessions to make sure those changes are there to stay. You can always bring your child in for a tune-up session too!
Have your child start therapy for
children in Grand Rapids today!
Are you in need of some time to recharge? Allow our child therapists to help. Your child can feel happy and empowered with therapy for children at Great Lakes Wellness Counseling. Watch your child become resilient!
01 | Contact us or call (616)202-1910 for a free consultation.
Other Therapy Services We Offer
Near Grand Rapids, MI
At our counseling office in Jenison, MI, we understand that every child’s life experiences are different. That’s why we offer a variety of mental health services provided by our therapists who recognize the uniqueness of each child.
We specialize in: