Supporting Your Child Through the Fog: A Path Toward Reconnection
It is heartbreaking to watch your child lose their spark. Whether it looks like deep sadness, constant irritability, or a total withdrawal from the things they once loved, depression in childhood is often less about "crying" and more about "feeling stuck." If your child feels heavy, hopeless, or just "done," they aren't failing—they are navigating a very difficult internal landscape.
What is Depression?
Depression is like a heavy fog that settles over a child’s world, making everything feel muted, exhausting, and far away. It isn't just "being sad"; it’s a physiological and emotional state where the body’s "go" system has slowed down to protect itself. My goal is to help your child understand this fog without feeling ashamed of it.
My Philosophy: Meeting Them in the Quiet
I believe that you cannot force a child out of depression. You have to go in and sit with them until they feel safe enough to find their own way out. My approach is built on:
Radical Acceptance: I provide a space where "not being okay" is perfectly acceptable. When a child feels they don’t have to "perform" happiness for me, they can finally start to heal.
No Labels, No Boxes: Depression looks different for every child. For some, it’s anger; for others, it’s a deep quiet. I tailor my approach to your child's specific experience, uplifting their unique identity throughout the process.
Flexibility in Connection: If your child doesn't want to talk, we don’t have to. We can use art, music, or shared activities to communicate. I meet them at their energy level, whether that’s high or low.
Tools for Rebuilding a Vibrant Life
Our work is about more than just "feeling better." It’s about helping your child rediscover their agency and their sense of self. We work on:
Nervous System Mapping: We help your child identify when they are sliding into that "shut down" state and find gentle, sensory-based ways to bring a little bit of light back in.
Small Wins, Big Impact: We move away from overwhelming goals. We focus on "micro-steps" that honor your child’s current capacity, building confidence without the pressure to be "fixed."
Externalizing the Fog: We treat the depression as something your child is experiencing, not who they are. This helps reduce shame and allows them to view their challenges with curiosity rather than self-blame.
Self-Compassion: I help children develop a kinder inner voice, replacing "I can't do anything right" with "I am having a really hard time right now, and that's okay."
A Partnership for Healing
Parents often feel a heavy sense of guilt or helplessness when their child is struggling with depression. I am here to support you, too. We will work together to create a home environment that balances gentle encouragement with the space your child needs to breathe. We aren't looking for a "quick fix"—we are looking for a sustainable, healthy path forward.
"Healing isn't about getting back to who you were; it’s about discovering who you can be, even with the fog."