Ages 4-18
If you’re a parent coming to this page – Is your kid’s anxiety giving YOU anxiety? Tired of the power struggles? Wondering how to best support your neurodivergent child? Are you experiencing problems that you can’t solve even though you’ve tried everything?
If you said yes to any of the above questions, we can help! We would love to work with you and your child.
We generally look at any problem as a manifestation of stress within the system (internal and external). We believe that when kids exhibit concerning behaviors, we need to become “Stress Detectives.”
We’ll work with your child to:
- Find Their Stressors and Reduce Them
- Find Their Unmet Needs and Meet Them
- Find Their Lagging Skills and Develop Them
If you’re a teen coming to this page – Are you exploring your gender identity or sexuality? Do you have rejection sensitivity? Wondering if you’re messing up your first love relationship with your insecurities? Worried about making the transition to middle school, high school, or college? Does life just seem way too overwhelming right now?
We’d love to help you press pause and just “be.” We offer a safe, supported space for you to sit with your questions without judgment or any pressure to figure it all out right away.
All of our clinicians receive advanced training in the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model (which includes the children and their caregivers – for example, parents and teachers) before beginning their employment with Asheville Family Counseling. Stacey Curnow is a Certified CPS Provider.
Our child counselors are trained in Theraplay (Attachment-Focused Child-Centered Play) and also utilize Sand Tray Therapy and Art Therapy.
Our counselors who work with older children and teens utilize a variety of different evidenced-based models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Brainspotting.
No matter the age, our sessions draw primarily on Attachment Theory and focus on building a trusting relationship, are trauma-informed, evidenced-based, insight-creating, and skill-building.
If your child comes to our beautiful, downtown Asheville location, the child counseling spaces offer a delightful and inviting atmosphere designed specifically to create a comforting and engaging environment for young minds. Vibrant colors and high-quality play therapy materials, like a dollhouse and sand tray, instantly capture a child’s attention and imagination. Cozy furniture provides a sense of security, allowing them to relax and feel at ease.
Your child will engage in a variety of age-appropriate activities that stimulate their creativity and self-expression. Puzzles, books, toys, and art supplies are readily available, ensuring an enjoyable experience while they learn, heal, and grow.
Our friendly counselors greet each child with a warm smile, making sure they feel welcome and safe from the moment they enter.
Inside the counseling room, everything from soft lighting to cozy furniture is carefully curated to create a sense of comfort, openness, and security.
Our evidence-based therapeutic techniques facilitate effective communication and expression of emotions. Our counselors possess a compassionate and patient demeanor, actively listening and engaging with each child, creating a nonjudgmental and empathetic environment.
Using age-appropriate language and interactive methods, our counselors skillfully explain and explore various emotions, empowering children to understand and appreciate their thoughts and feelings. Visual aids such as emotion charts and feeling cards assist children in accurately identifying and expressing their emotions.
Overall, our child counseling spaces provide a sanctuary of growth and healing. They are places where children can feel understood, supported, and empowered to navigate their emotional challenges. We value and honor each child’s unique voice, and we are committed to ensuring that they feel heard and valued throughout their therapeutic journey with us.
Please note: At Asheville Family Counseling, we’re committed to fostering healthy communication and cooperation within families through therapeutic approaches. Court-ordered custody arrangements often indicate a level of conflict or legal complexity that goes beyond the scope of our expertise and approach. To be clear, our clinicians will not testify for either parental party in child custody court cases. Our focus is solely on the best interest of the children, and engaging in legal matters contradicts this core principle in many ways. For those seeking counseling professionals with expertise in legal matters, we recommend Dr. Katy Flagler. Dr. Flagler possesses the necessary knowledge and experience to address legal aspects while providing the support and guidance needed.
We appreciate your understanding of our commitment to maintaining a therapeutic environment that prioritizes the well-being of families and children.
A further note about our practice: We take responsibility for learning about current systems of oppression and how they do harm. We take accountability for our missteps and micro-aggressions. We consistently work to create an environment that is welcoming and affirming of people from different races/ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, class strata, abilities, and religious/spiritual orientations. We take special training and receive supervision around these identities/systems and have the ability to consult with someone around identities we don’t personally hold.
All of our clients are seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are.
We encourage you to schedule a free, 15-minute call to see how working with us may help you, your child, and your family. Please call or text (828) 761-3149.