Seeking Therapist for 2nd Grader

[Anonymous]

Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

Your location matters. Your kid and you dont want to drive 45 mins to a therapy appt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

Just to be blunt, not many 7 yo want to talk about their feelings, ESPECIALLY kids with anxiety. Please read some books on the topic. Your child probably needs a play therapist so the discussions can come out while they are doing other things. It is unreasonable to expect a 7yo with ADHD and anxiety (who developmentally is at least a year behind peers) to do what you are expecting.

[Anonymous]

can they switch up the narrative from left to right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

Just to be blunt, not many 7 yo want to talk about their feelings, ESPECIALLY kids with anxiety. Please read some books on the topic. Your child probably needs a play therapist so the discussions can come out while they are doing other things. It is unreasonable to expect a 7yo with ADHD and anxiety (who developmentally is at least a year behind peers) to do what you are expecting.

NP, but isn't that what play therapy is for? My child in play therapy actively looks forward to sessions.

[Anonymous]

If you are in Maryland I really recommend Expressive Therapy in North Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

Just to be blunt, not many 7 yo want to talk about their feelings, ESPECIALLY kids with anxiety. Please read some books on the topic. Your child probably needs a play therapist so the discussions can come out while they are doing other things. It is unreasonable to expect a 7yo with ADHD and anxiety (who developmentally is at least a year behind peers) to do what you are expecting.

He has a play therapist and have been working with her for many months, but I we don't see any changes. We are looking to try a different play therapist who might be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your location matters. Your kid and you dont want to drive 45 mins to a therapy appt.

Good point. Near Bethesda or Friendship Heights would be ideal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your location matters. Your kid and you dont want to drive 45 mins to a therapy appt.

Good point. Near Bethesda or Friendship Heights would be ideal.

I went to Arbit, my daughter was a 180 after 6 months. We saw a younger therapist, and I was nervous about that, but she was more relatable to my daughter and she opened up to her more than an old lady

[Anonymous]

Have you tried group therapy? My son is 10 with 3 other 10 year old boys and he loves going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

Just to be blunt, not many 7 yo want to talk about their feelings, ESPECIALLY kids with anxiety. Please read some books on the topic. Your child probably needs a play therapist so the discussions can come out while they are doing other things. It is unreasonable to expect a 7yo with ADHD and anxiety (who developmentally is at least a year behind peers) to do what you are expecting.

Yup this your child needs a play therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for a therapist for a 7-year-old boy with ADHD & anxiety? He is seeing someone currently, but even though he likes spending time with the therapist, they are having a hard time getting him to do or talk about things related to his feelings and behavior.

Thanks for your help!

Just to be blunt, not many 7 yo want to talk about their feelings, ESPECIALLY kids with anxiety. Please read some books on the topic. Your child probably needs a play therapist so the discussions can come out while they are doing other things. It is unreasonable to expect a 7yo with ADHD and anxiety (who developmentally is at least a year behind peers) to do what you are expecting.

He has a play therapist and have been working with her for many months, but I we don't see any changes. We are looking to try a different play therapist who might be a better fit.

He probably would benefit from a male therapist. I would ask your pediatrician for their list of recommendations and also look on psychology today, which is how I found my daughter's therapist.

[Anonymous]

Maven Psychology Group in friendship heights!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP I’m not in the dc area so can’t provide a specific recommendation but your DS sounds like my 8 year old. Does he like sports? We tried a talk therapist who tried play and it was a disaster. I found a young, male therapist who does “in motion” counseling which is a modality of counseling where they play sports (mostly basketball or throwing the football) and chat. He really enjoys going and I think looks up to his therapist. He had some pretty bad negative self talk after a bad soccer loss and I mentioned it to his therapist, and they discussed it.

[Anonymous]

Not unreasonable for a 7 yr old to do anxiety therapy- look for cbt, play therapy doesn't have much evidence for impacting anxiety. Near bethesda/friendship heights- Alvord Baker, Ross center, etc