What we Treat

Trauma occurs when a child experiences an event—or series of events—that are overwhelming, frightening, or deeply distressing. This may include abuse, neglect, loss of a loved one, medical emergencies, natural disasters, witnessing violence, or other situations that leave a lasting emotional impact..

Children often express the effects of trauma through behavior and body-based responses: becoming withdrawn, anxious, dysregulated, or overly clingy. These are not signs of defiance or dysfunction, but adaptations — ways their nervous system is trying to stay safe in a world that has felt overwhelming or unpredictable.

At FSC Kids, we offer trauma-informed therapy rooted in the power of connection such as Theraplay and EMDR. Our work is grounded in the belief that healing happens in the context of safe, nurturing relationships. We partner closely with caregivers — not only to support their child’s recovery, but to help restore connection, co-regulation, and a shared sense of safety within the family system. Through this collaborative approach, children can begin to feel safe in their bodies, secure in their relationships, and hopeful about the future.

What may look like tantrums, defiance, or aggression on the surface is often a child’s way of signaling distress, disconnection, or unmet needs. These behaviors can be confusing and exhausting for families — especially when parents are doing their best to love and support their child.

At FSC Kids, we view these moments not as problems to be fixed, but as opportunities for deeper understanding and connection. Often, challenging behaviors reflect a child’s difficulty with emotional regulation, past experiences (including trauma), or underlying struggles such as anxiety or sensory overwhelm. We believe all behavior is communication — a child’s way of asking, “Am I safe? Am I understood? Will you be there for me?”

Parenting is one of the most meaningful—and complex—relationships we experience. When a child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, it can leave caregivers feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure of how to help. Challenges like power struggles, emotional outbursts, or difficulty setting boundaries aren’t just problems to be solved—they’re often signals of deeper needs within the parent-child relationship and the broader family system.

At FSC Kids, we approach parenting support through the lens of attachment and family systems theory. This means we don’t just look at behaviors in isolation—we seek to understand the patterns, stressors, and relational dynamics that shape how your child feels, communicates, and connects. We believe that every child’s growth is deeply influenced by the emotional climate of their caregiving relationships.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all strategies, we work alongside you to deepen your understanding of your child’s unique nervous system, temperament, and developmental needs—especially when navigating the complexities of parenting a neurodivergent child or one impacted by anxiety, ADHD, or trauma. Through this process, we help you build skills for co-regulation, emotional attunement, and boundary-setting that support both your child’s and your own well-being.

When caregivers feel supported and empowered, the entire family system begins to shift. Together, we help create a more connected, compassionate home environment where everyone can feel seen, safe, and supported.

Many children face challenges at school that can affect their emotional well-being, academic success, and self-esteem. School issues can include difficulty focusing in class, trouble with peers, test anxiety, school refusal, learning differences, or behavioral problems that disrupt learning. These struggles may lead to stress, low motivation, or a growing dislike of school.

Sometimes, these issues are linked to underlying concerns like anxiety, ADHD, learning disabilities, or emotional stressors at home. Other times, a child simply needs extra support adjusting to new expectations or navigating social dynamics.

At FSC Kids, we work with children to build confidence, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. We also collaborate with parents and educators to create a consistent, supportive environment where each child can thrive.

What’s often labeled as “challenging behavior” may actually reflect a child’s unique way of experiencing and responding to the world. For neurodivergent children — including those who are autistic, have ADHD, sensory differences, or other forms of cognitive diversity — behaviors like impulsivity, meltdowns, or difficulty with transitions aren’t signs of defiance, but signals of distress, overwhelm, or unmet needs.

At FSC Kids, we approach each child through a lens of respect, curiosity, and acceptance. We don’t see neurodivergence as something to “fix,” but as a natural part of human variation that brings strengths as well as support needs. Our role is not to mold children into neurotypical expectations, but to help them better understand themselves, develop self-advocacy skills, and feel empowered in who they are.

We also partner with caregivers to build environments that are sensory-aware, emotionally responsive, and rooted in connection rather than compliance. With the right support, children can flourish not by changing who they are, but by being deeply understood and supported for who they’ve always been.

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. Signs of autism can vary widely from one child to another and may include challenges with navigating social situations, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and differences in communication—both verbal and nonverbal. Some children may prefer routine and predictability, while others may have intense interests or find certain environments overwhelming. Autism is a spectrum, meaning each child’s strengths and needs are unique.

At FSC Kids, we have providers certified and trained in AutPlay.  AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity informed and affirming collaborative process designed to value the individual child and highlight their strengths as well as guide areas of intervention, goals, and approaches for addressing the needs of the child and family.