Child & Adolescent Therapy in Southwest Florida
Your child does not have to struggle alone. Our therapists in Naples, Estero, and Fort Myers provide compassionate, age-appropriate care to help children and teens build resilience, manage big emotions, and thrive.
How Mental Health Struggles Show Up in Children and Teens
Children and adolescents rarely walk into a room and say, "I think I have anxiety" or "I am feeling depressed." Instead, their emotional pain tends to come out sideways -- through behavior, school performance, social dynamics, or physical complaints that can leave parents feeling confused and worried. A child who was once outgoing may start withdrawing from friends. A teenager who used to earn solid grades may suddenly stop turning in homework or refuse to go to school. Mood swings, irritability, defiance, clinginess, frequent stomachaches, or trouble sleeping can all be signs that something deeper is going on.
For younger children, struggles with anxiety might look like excessive fears, separation difficulties, or meltdowns that seem disproportionate to the situation. In adolescents and teens, depression may show up as anger rather than sadness, or as withdrawal into screens and isolation from the family. Peer pressure, social media stress, academic expectations, family transitions like divorce or relocation, and experiences of bullying or trauma can all weigh heavily on a young person who does not yet have the tools to process what they are feeling.
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. If your gut tells you something is off -- even if you cannot pinpoint exactly what it is -- that instinct is worth listening to. Early intervention can make a meaningful difference. Therapy gives children and teens a safe space to make sense of their world, develop coping skills, and build the emotional vocabulary they need to ask for help when they need it.
Our Treatment Approach
Working with children and adolescents requires a different approach than adult therapy. At Florida Coast Counseling, our therapists in Naples, Estero, and Fort Myers are experienced in adapting evidence-based methods to meet young clients where they are developmentally, emotionally, and socially.
Play Therapy is a cornerstone of our work with younger children. Because children naturally communicate through play, this approach uses games, art, sand trays, and imaginative activities to help them express feelings, process experiences, and develop problem-solving skills -- all without requiring them to sit still and talk like an adult. For older children and adolescents, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted for younger populations helps them recognize unhelpful thought patterns, understand the connection between their thoughts and feelings, and build practical coping strategies they can use in school, with friends, and at home.
Many of our therapists also incorporate creative modalities such as storytelling, metaphor, role-play, and art-based interventions that engage young people in the therapeutic process in ways that feel natural rather than clinical. For teens dealing with intense emotions, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can help with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. When family dynamics are part of the picture, we may integrate family therapy techniques to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and ensure that the progress your child makes in sessions is supported at home. Every treatment plan is individualized because no two children are alike -- and neither are their struggles.
What to Expect in Sessions
The process typically begins with an initial intake session, which often includes a conversation with the parent or caregiver. This gives your child's therapist important context about your concerns, your child's history, their strengths, and what you are hoping therapy will help with. Depending on your child's age, they may join part or all of this first session, or the therapist may meet with them separately to begin building rapport in a low-pressure way.
In the sessions that follow, your child's therapist will use age-appropriate techniques to help your child feel comfortable, build trust, and gradually begin working on the challenges that brought them in. For younger children, this might look like playing games, drawing, or acting out scenarios with figures. For teens, it might involve guided conversations, journaling exercises, or skill-building activities. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and held weekly, though frequency can be adjusted based on your child's needs.
Parent involvement is woven throughout the process. Your child's therapist will provide periodic check-ins to share general themes and progress, offer strategies you can use at home, and collaborate with you on goals. For adolescents, we carefully balance keeping parents informed while maintaining the confidential space your teen needs to be open and honest in sessions. Our goal is to equip your child with lasting skills and to empower your family with the understanding and tools to support their continued growth outside of therapy.
Therapists Who Specialize in Child & Adolescent Therapy
Priscilla Bovi, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Naples office — Works with children, adolescents, and adults using CBT and Person-Centered Therapy
Emily Korolevich, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Naples office — Bilingual therapist experienced with children, adolescents, and families
Izzah Zainab, MA, RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Naples office — Uses creative approaches including storytelling, metaphor, and role-play with children and adolescents
Angelina Papazova, MS, CRC, RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Naples office — Works with children and adolescents using CBT, ACT, and DBT techniques
Skyler Moore, MA, RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Naples & Estero offices — Specializes in young children, adolescents, and teens using creative modalities and CBT
Shivani Patel, M.Ed. & Ed.S., RMFTI
Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern
Estero & Fort Myers offices — Works with children and families using CBT and Structural Family Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Children and teens often express emotional struggles differently than adults. Warning signs can include sudden changes in behavior, declining grades, frequent tantrums or outbursts beyond what is typical for their age, withdrawal from friends or activities they used to enjoy, changes in eating or sleeping habits, excessive worry or fearfulness, and physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause. If you have noticed any of these patterns lasting more than a couple of weeks, it is worth reaching out to a therapist for an initial assessment. You do not need to wait until things feel like a crisis.
What does a therapy session look like for a child versus a teenager?
For younger children, sessions are often play-based. Your child's therapist may use games, art, storytelling, sand trays, or role-play to help your child express feelings they may not yet have words for. For adolescents and teens, sessions tend to be more conversational but still incorporate creative and experiential techniques when helpful. Teens are encouraged to set their own goals and take an active role in the therapeutic process. Regardless of age, sessions are designed to feel safe, engaging, and age-appropriate.
Will I as a parent be involved in my child's therapy?
Absolutely. Parent involvement is an important part of the process, especially for younger children. Your child's therapist will keep you informed about themes and progress while still respecting your child's need for a confidential therapeutic space. Depending on your child's age and needs, this may include periodic parent check-ins, family sessions, and practical guidance you can use at home. For teenagers, the balance of parent involvement is handled carefully to maintain the trust your teen needs to be open in sessions.
Do you accept insurance for child and adolescent therapy?
Yes, Florida Coast Counseling accepts most major insurance plans at our Naples, Estero, and Fort Myers locations. We recommend calling our office at (239) 427-1833 or visiting our contact page so we can verify your specific benefits before your child's first appointment. We want to make quality mental health care for children and families as accessible as possible.
Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?
Your child deserves support that meets them where they are. Take the first step toward brighter days -- reach out to our team today.
Available at our Naples, Estero, and Fort Myers offices, plus telehealth across Florida.