The goal of child therapy is to address the concern that brought the family into therapy while simultaneously building the child’s sense of self, emotional intelligence and ability to communicate effectively.

— Jessica Braun (Zingelman), MSW, LICSW

Maple Grove Child Therapist

Is your child feeling persistently sad or angry? Is he or she having trouble coping at home, with friends or in school? When children experience emotional or behavioral issues, it can be helpful to consult a therapist who is experienced in restoring hope to children and their parents.
I am Jessica Braun (Zingelman), LCISW, MSW, and I have more than a dozen years of experience counseling children ages six and older. I work with children who are experiencing issues such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Bullying
• Divorce or other family disruption
• Behavioral problems
• Trauma, grief
• Attachment issues
• Problems at school
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Children learn through play. Therefore, therapy for children often involves games, activities and role playing. This interactive approach allows children to explore and express their feelings in a manner that is developmentally appropriate for them. Parents are often involved in the activities and role playing so that they understand and become part of the process.

Depending upon the age of the child and the concerns at hand, I actively involve the parent(s) in the therapy process. I may include them in the sessions or pull them in at the beginning and/or end of the session to recap what has occurred. I believe in the family systems approach in that one member of the family’s emotions and behaviors affects another. Therefore, a collaborative effort between therapist, child and parents is crucial to the process towards change.

As an outcome-oriented child therapist, I will work with the child to identify, develop and practice coping strategies.

To schedule an appointment for your child, please call 763-400-7076 or email me at Journey of Hope Counseling in Maple Grove, Minnesota. I offer a free, 30-minute consultation for new clients.