Emma Rooney
Licensed Professional Counselor
Therapist for Children and Teens
You’ve watched the mood swings, the withdrawal, or the sudden outbursts. You’ve been there when they’ve come home shut tight or stormed off in tears. You may be exhausted, worried, and wondering if this is the new normal.
You are not alone.
We've created space for you.
We can help your child move toward calm, connection, and healing.
I’m Emma, and I partner with parents who are carrying worry in their hearts.
I specialize in working exclusively with children and teens who are navigating emotional overwhelm, trauma, or developmental transitions. As a child and teen therapist, I hold a steady space where your child can feel safe, heard, and free to start healing. And yes—I include you, the parent, in this work because we heal better together.
From our first call through every session, I bring warmth, empathy, and clarity. We explore your child’s world through play, art, narrative, and somatic activities so they can express what words can’t yet say. While your child builds regulation, connection, and inner strength, you’ll learn how to support them, rebuild trust, and create a calmer home environment. No blame. No shame. Just practical, kind understanding.
It might feel like this struggle is defining your family right now. But it does not have to stay this way. Healing is possible, even when trauma has shaken the foundations of trust and safety. My goal is to help your child reclaim joy, rediscover resilience, and learn to face each day with more calm and confidence. And I’m here to walk that path with your family.
My Approach
I integrate evidence-based modalities that support children, teens, and families after trauma: child-centered, attachment-based play therapy, therapeutic expressive arts, cognitive therapies, and polyvagal-informed somatic interventions. Sessions are child-centered, strengths-based, and gently paced to honor each young person’s natural rhythm. Every parent is treated as a partner—not an afterthought.
ABOUT ME
Education & Experience
DEGREE
Master of Forensic Psychology
LICENSURE
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
TRAINING
Zones of Regulation
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Family Systems
Aggression Replacement Training
Your child’s struggles may feel overwhelming right now, and you may be carrying fear, sadness, or frustration as you watch them hurt. I want you to know that I understand how heavy this can feel. My work is rooted in helping children and teens who have experienced trauma, stress, or emotional overwhelm find safety, steadiness, and connection again. I use child-centered and attachment-based play therapy, expressive arts, cognitive therapies, and polyvagal-informed somatic approaches to help your child make sense of their feelings in ways that are developmentally right for them.
Therapy with me is gentle, relational, and grounded in trust. Your child will have space to explore their inner world through play, creativity, movement, and story—all powerful tools for healing when big emotions feel too hard to put into words. I follow their pace, honor their nervous system, and create a space where they can feel safe enough to open up, try new coping skills, and slowly rebuild their sense of self.
But I also know that helping a child heal means supporting the entire family. I work closely with parents so you can understand what’s happening beneath the behaviors, respond with confidence, and feel more connected to your child. There is no judgment here. You are doing your best, and you deserve support just as much as your child does. Together, we will help your child feel more regulated, grounded, and understood while restoring peace and hope within your home.
You and your child do not have to walk through this alone. Healing is possible, even when things feel tangled or uncertain. I will walk alongside your family with compassion, clarity, and unwavering support as your child discovers what safety, confidence, and resilience can feel like again.
MY SPECIALIZATIONS
If your child needs support to feel safe and grounded again, I’m here to guide them with compassion and care.
Young Children Ages Four to Seven
I support young children who express their emotions through movement, play, and imagination. I use gentle structure and nurturing connection to help them feel safe and understood. I guide each child with patience so they can explore their feelings at a pace that is right for them.
School Aged Children Ages Eight to Twelve
I help school aged children who may be struggling with changes in behavior, friendships, or confidence. I create a steady space where they can talk, create, and play while learning how to name and manage their emotions. I work closely with parents so the child feels supported at home and in therapy.
Teens Ages Thirteen to Seventeen
I walk beside teens who feel overwhelmed by stress, social pressure, or emotions that feel too big to manage alone. I offer a calm, nonjudgmental space where they can express themselves honestly and safely. I help them build trust, emotional insight, and tools for navigating everyday challenges.
Trauma Therapy for Children and Teens
I support children and teens who are carrying the effects of trauma in their bodies, behavior, and relationships. I use play, somatic practices, expressive work, and gentle conversation to help them feel safe again. I move at their pace so they can rebuild regulation, trust, and steadiness.
Grief Counseling for Children and Teens
I hold space for children and teens who are grieving a loss that feels confusing or overwhelming. I use developmentally attuned approaches that help them express grief in ways that feel safe and natural. I support parents in understanding how grief affects children at different stages.
Support After Stressful Events
I support children and teens who have experienced stressful events such as school changes, family disruptions, accidents, or other moments that shook their sense of safety. I help them make sense of their feelings while restoring calm and predictability. I work with parents to strengthen connection and stability at home.
Emotional and Behavioral Challenges
I help children and teens who are showing changes in mood, behavior, or daily functioning. I look beneath the surface to understand the feelings that drive these patterns. I guide each child in building regulation, communication skills, and confidence.
Play Therapy
I use child centered and attachment focused play therapy to help children express what words cannot yet describe. Play gives the child freedom to explore emotions in a safe and supported way. I follow the child’s lead while offering warmth, structure, and emotional guidance.
Polyvagal Informed Somatic Therapy
I use polyvagal informed approaches and the zones of regulation to help children understand how their bodies respond to emotion. I teach simple practices that support safety, calm, and flexibility in the nervous system. These skills help each child feel more grounded and in control.
Creative + Expressive Arts
I use therapeutic expressive arts to help children and teens explore their feelings through drawing, storytelling, movement, and other creative activities. These approaches support emotional expression when words feel too hard. I tailor each activity to the child’s needs so they feel empowered and understood.
Where You'll Find Me
How I Support Parents
When your child or your teen is struggling, the worry can settle deep in your chest and make everything feel heavier. Parents often feel unsure about what is happening beneath the surface, and that confusion can create even more stress. I want you to feel supported, included, and never judged as we walk through this process together. I hold your child or your teen’s privacy with great care so they feel safe in therapy. Even without sharing specific details, I can help you understand emotional themes, nervous system responses, and the patterns that may be shaping their behavior. Together, we begin building steadier moments at home that bring comfort to both you and your child or your teen.
Parents deserve just as much support as the child in the room. I offer guidance that helps you feel more confident during emotional moments, and I teach practical tools that feel doable rather than overwhelming. Our conversations focus on strengthening connection and helping you respond with steadiness when big feelings rise. I can also assist you in navigating school concerns and communicating your child or your teen’s needs with clarity and confidence. You do not have to do this alone. A caring partnership begins here as we create a path that brings more hope, safety, and healing to your family.
What to Expect from Therapy with Me
Comprehensive, Compassionate Support
Trauma-Informed Expertise
Child-centered, Attachment-focused
Creative and Expressive Arts Interventions
Parent Partnership
Age Appropriate Care
Request a Consultation Call
I am dedicated to helping you thrive not just survive.
