Understanding Your Child’s Mind

Exploring the World of Child Psychology

Discover the complexities of child psychology to better understand and support your child’s mental and emotional development.

Parents and clinician in a case consultation.

Explore the World of Child Psychology

Child psychology is a branch of psychology focused on the mental, emotional, and behavioral development of children from birth through adolescence. Child psychologists help identify and address various developmental challenges, such as autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Understanding how our brains work is essential for promoting healthy development and wellness for children and families. As shown in this video by Dr. Marcy, one skill psychologists teach is how to speak kindly to ourselves and let go of past mistakes. Click play to learn how!

Key Features of Child Psychology

Diagnostic Assessments

Comprehensive evaluations to identify developmental and psychological conditions early, ensuring timely intervention and support.

Therapeutic Approaches

Utilizing evidence-based therapies to address emotional and behavioral issues, promoting mental well-being in children.

Importance of Early Intervention

Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with developmental and psychological challenges.

Parental Guidance and Support

Providing parents with the tools and knowledge to effectively support their child’s unique needs and foster a nurturing environment.

What Child Psychologists Do

Join Dr. Willard as she explains what a child psychologist does for families and kids. A child psychologist is different from a counselor or a social worker, although they all have important roles in our community. Dr. Willard explains how child psychologists traditionally come from a scientist-practitioner model, which means they are scientists first and practitioners second. It is a child psychologist’s responsibility to give evidence-based information and recommendations. Listen to explore whether a child psychologist is right for your family.

Insights and Advice for Parents

Connecting Through Play: A Modern Guide to Shared Enjoyment in Childhood

Is your child content playing in their own world? Shared enjoyment is a foundational social skill for building connections and reciprocal play. Learn to spot the subtle signs of difficulty and understand the underlying factors, including unique wiring patterns, such as an autism neurotype. Discover actionable strategies parents can use to model and initiate positive, joyful interactions today. Dive into this guide to help your child thrive socially.

Empowering Initiative: A Guide to Helping Your Child Start Tasks

Is your child a champion staller? Do simple tasks feel like huge, frustrating battles every day? This guide shows why task initiation is a core challenge and explores root causes like executive function struggles, overwhelm, and brain differences. Discover powerful, practical tips like the Gradual Release Approach and using visual timers to build focus and momentum. Unlock initiative for your child and replace daily frustration with lasting confidence.

Getting Unstuck

We have all felt the heavy, immovable burden of being stuck in old resentments, crippling fear, or unfulfilling patterns. But what if the relief you seek is not found in a new job or a different relationship, but in a profound, internal shift? This article reveals the two hidden problems keeping you trapped – a resistance to accept the past and an unconscious emotional driver – and introduces the powerful, clinical truth: emotional suffering is optional. Discover how to stop circling the same old pain, release old emotional charges, and permanently transform into the healthy, confident, and effective person you are meant to be. Your journey to lasting freedom starts now.

What Is Transformational Life Coaching?

Are you feeling stuck, navigating a high-stress situation, or simply seeking a greater level of personal and professional fulfillment? This decisive guide introduces Dr. Willard’s Transformational Life Coaching, a structured, goal-oriented process designed to move you quickly from emotional roadblocks to profound clarity and self-directedness. Discover how this methodology isolates issues to create lasting change, providing a direct path to healing, self-confidence, and the ultimate freedom of your authentic self. Read on to learn the difference between coaching and therapy, and begin your journey toward long-term contentment and fulfillment.

Nurturing Connection: Helping Your Child with Social Presence

Does your child struggle to connect with friends or seem more interested in toys than people? Understanding social presence, a fundamental skill for healthy social development, can help you a great deal. This article defines social presence and joint attention, identifies five common signs of struggle, and explores potential causes. Discover practical, evidence-based steps you can take at home and learn when it is time to seek professional support. Read on to learn how to build a strong foundation for connection and friendship!

Connecting Through Play: Nurturing Sharing and Showing as a Social Superpower

Sharing and showing are vital social skills that help young children build connections and enjoy shared experiences. This article explains what these behaviors look like, offers five clear strategies for parents to practice shared enjoyment at home, and identifies key signs a child might be struggling. Learn the critical role of social reciprocity and understand when it is the right time to seek professional evaluation for developmental differences. Discover how to nurture this social superpower in a child and strengthen a family bond.

Nurturing Emotional Insight: Help Your Child Understand Their Inner World

Does your child struggle to express their feelings or connect with others? Uncover the hidden reasons behind these challenges, from autism neurotype to ADHD. This article offers clear signs to watch for and practical strategies to nurture emotional insight in your child. Discover how to help them understand their inner world and build meaningful relationships today.

A Guide for Parents: Formal and Unusual Language

Does your child use words that seem too advanced or unusual for their age? Do they sound like a little professor, sharing facts, or struggle with everyday conversations while excelling in specific topics? This article explores the signs and causes of formal and unusual language in childhood, including social communication challenges, giftedness, and autism neurotype. Discover practical strategies to help your child develop more reciprocal communication skills and learn when to seek professional support. Read on to discover how to best support your child and their unique communication journey.

When Your Child Talks More Than They Listen: Expressive Language Discrepancy

Does your child talk constantly yet struggle to truly listen? This common scenario, known as expressive language discrepancy, means that the ability to talk is significantly stronger than the ability to understand what others are saying. Discover the signs, potential contributing factors, and practical strategies to support your child. Learn when to seek professional help and explore valuable resources to navigate this communication challenge. Read on to gain insights and empower your child in their journey toward balanced communication.

Navigating Restricted Interests: A Guide for Parents

Is your child deeply focused on a narrow range of topics? This article explores what restricted interests are, how to spot them, and what these special coping skills might mean for social development in childhood. Learn practical ways to help your child broaden their horizons and understand when it is time to seek professional support.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Unlock the potential in your child’s future with expert guidance from Marcy Willard, PhD. Whether you’re seeking answers or support, our specialized services in child psychology are here to help. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can assist your family in navigating challenges with confidence and care.