child therapist tampa

Child Therapy in Tampa & Virtual

Big feelings, tough behaviors, and constant power struggles can be overwhelming—for kids and parents alike. We help children make sense of their emotions and build the skills they need to feel more calm, connected, and confident.

Our child therapy services are designed for kids ages 2 to 12 who are struggling with emotions, behavior, or life transitions. Whether your child is acting out, shutting down, or having trouble coping, we provide a supportive space where they can learn to express themselves, process their experiences, and grow in ways that make life feel easier for everyone.

What Is Child Therapy?

Child therapy helps children develop emotional awareness, communication skills, and healthy ways of managing stress. Therapy isn’t just for kids in crisis, it’s for any child who could use extra support navigating the challenges of growing up.

We use a range of age-appropriate approaches, including play, art, storytelling, and conversation, to help children explore their thoughts and feelings. Our sessions are guided by the child’s developmental level and needs.

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We work with children experiencing:

Tantrums, meltdowns, or emotional outbursts
Anxiety, fears, or clinginess
Frequent sadness, anger, or withdrawal
Trouble with impulse control or attention
Social challenges, friendship issues, or bullying
Family transitions (divorce, separation, new sibling, new home)
Grief and loss
Low self-esteem or perfectionism
Difficulty adjusting to school or routines

Many of the kids we see are bright, sensitive, and full of potential, but get overwhelmed by big feelings they don’t yet know how to handle.

Assessments We Often Use During an Autism Evaluation

Direct Assessment Tools

ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition)
A gold-standard, play- and conversation-based tool used to observe social communication, behavior, and interaction patterns.
MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum)
A sensory- and language-based interview process that offers rich, qualitative insight into how a child experiences and engages with the world—especially helpful for children who are highly verbal or present differently.
Cognitive Assessments (e.g., WPPSI-IV, WISC-V, WAIS-IV)
Measures intellectual functioning and helps identify strengths, challenges, and learning profiles.
Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS)
A comprehensive rating scale completed by caregivers and/or teachers to assess behaviors associated with autism across home and school settings.
Vineland-3 Adaptive Behavior Scales
Gathers information about real-world daily living, communication, and social skills through parent and/or teacher report.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2)
Assesses executive functioning, including attention, organization, and self-regulation, through questionnaires.

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Therapy?

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a rough patch and something more. Many parents come to us unsure if what they’re seeing is “normal” or if their child could benefit from therapy.

Here are some signs your child may need additional support:

Big emotions that feel out of proportion or hard to manage
Frequent meltdowns, tantrums, or aggressive behavior
Ongoing anxiety, fears, or trouble separating from you
Difficulty making or keeping friends
Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood
Withdrawal, low self-esteem, or frequent sadness
Trouble focusing, sitting still, or following through on tasks
Reactions that seem rigid, extreme, or hard to soothe
A recent stressor or transition (divorce, loss, move, school challenges)

You don’t need to have it all figured out before reaching out. If something doesn’t feel right—or if daily life is starting to feel harder than it needs to—we’re here to help you explore what’s going on.

Autism shows up differently in different people. For some, it’s clear in early childhood. For others, especially girls, gifted individuals, or those with strong verbal skills, it may not become obvious until social or emotional challenges surface later in life.

You might be noticing:

Differences in social connection or communication
Intense interests or repetitive play
Difficulty with transitions or flexible thinking
Sensory sensitivities or strong preferences
Emotional outbursts or anxiety in unfamiliar situations
Trouble understanding social cues or building friendships

Sometimes autism is suspected early, and other times it's questioned alongside ADHD, anxiety, or behavioral concerns. We provide a comprehensive autism evaluation that will explore all of it so you get a full picture, not just a piece of it.

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Screeners

BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3rd Edition)
Captures emotional and behavioral functioning across settings.
SRS-2 (Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition)
Measures autism-related traits such as social awareness, social motivation, and restricted interests.
Parent/Caregiver Interviews and Developmental History
We also conduct a detailed clinical interview and review developmental, medical, and educational history to understand the full context of your child’s experience.

therapist for teens near tampa

Dr. Kristin Edwards is a Licensed Psychologist in Florida.

Dr. Edwards specializes in youth counseling near Tampa, helping adolescents and young adults manage stress and anxiety related to major life transitions, relationships and friendships, school and work burnout, perfectionism, and self-doubt.

She provides psychological evaluations and mental health checkups to help identify disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, anxiety, panic, and OCD, depression, and insomnia.