Mina Kirkova, LCSW-C
Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapist
in Phoenix/Jacksonville, MD
CHILD THERAPY IN HUNT VALLEY, MD
MY APPROACH TO CHILD THERAPY
I provide child therapy in Hunt Valley, MD for toddlers, school-age children, tweens, and their families. My approach combines child therapy, play-based and creative techniques, parent coaching, and family therapy to address each child’s individual needs. I work with children experiencing ADHD, anxiety, OCD, emotional dysregulation, behavioral concerns, low self-esteem, social difficulties, school challenges, grief and loss, and life transitions. For toddlers and younger children, I also help parents address common early childhood behavioral and developmental concerns, including:
- Prolonged temper tantrums, whining and pouting, time outs
- Bedtime waking, daytime naps, daily routines
- Mealtimes, toilet training and accidents, positive motivation
- Sibling rivalry, rigid thinking, social skills development
- Regressive behaviors, listening and following directions
- Daycare and Kindergarten drop offs and readiness
I help parents build their young children’s self-esteem and confidence, strengthen parent-child connections through developmentally appropriate play and communication, and establish consistent, healthy daily routines. My approach combines individual child therapy, parent coaching, and family therapy to support meaningful and lasting changes at home, at school, and in relationships.
CHILD THERAPY AND FAMILY THERAPY
Family therapy is an important part of my work with children and their families. I meet regularly with parents to share clinical observations and learn more about their child’s daily life, interests, friendships, school experiences, and relationships. Together, we identify concerns at home and develop practical strategies to support the child’s progress.
Parent and family sessions may address daily routines, chores, homework, school performance, screen time and video games, sleep and eating habits, exercise, friendships, sibling relationships, communication, and behavioral concerns. We may also explore differences in parenting styles and develop a more consistent approach to expectations, boundaries, consequences, and positive reinforcement.
When stress or conflict within the family is affecting a child, I may meet with parents separately to strengthen communication, problem-solving, and cooperation. The goal is to create a more supportive and consistent home environment that reinforces the progress the child is making in therapy.
THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES AND TECHNIQUES
Below, I have outlined some of the main therapeutic approaches and modalities I use in my therapy sessions with children and their parents.
Play Therapy
Play therapy gives children a developmentally appropriate way to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to communicate with words. I use play, sand tray, puppets, games, art, storytelling, and other creative activities to help children explore emotions, develop coping and problem-solving skills, practice healthier behaviors, and build confidence. Play therapy can also provide valuable insight into a child’s relationships, concerns, and view of the world.
Art Therapy
Art-based activities can help children express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. I incorporate drawing, painting, collage, clay, and other creative activities to encourage emotional expression, self-awareness, problem-solving, and confidence. These activities can be especially useful for children who communicate more comfortably through images and creative expression than through conversation alone.
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I use CBT techniques to help children recognize unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns, develop more realistic and balanced ways of thinking, and practice healthier emotional and behavioral responses. These skills can help children improve coping, problem-solving, emotional regulation, self-confidence, and their ability to manage stressful situations.
In my child therapy practice, I use CBT techniques to support children experiencing anxiety, fears and phobias, OCD, panic symptoms, low self-esteem, depression, emotional dysregulation, anger, and behavioral concerns.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy helps children separate themselves from the problems they are experiencing. Rather than viewing anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, behavioral difficulties, or other concerns as part of who they are, children learn to see these challenges as problems they can understand and change.
In my child therapy practice, I use narrative therapy techniques to help children identify their strengths, recognize times when they have successfully handled difficult situations, and develop healthier and more empowering ways of understanding their experiences. This approach can help children build confidence, improve problem-solving skills, and develop a more positive sense of themselves and their abilities.
Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy helps children identify practical ways to improve current problems by focusing on strengths, successes, and strategies that are already working. Rather than spending extensive time analyzing why a problem developed, this approach helps children recognize what they can do differently and build on positive changes they have already made.
In my child therapy practice, I use solution-focused techniques to help children set realistic goals, recognize their strengths, develop effective coping and problem-solving skills, and notice situations in which a problem is less intense or easier to manage. This approach can be particularly helpful for children experiencing anxiety, stress, peer difficulties, bullying, low self-confidence, school-related concerns, and behavioral challenges.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques help children become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and surroundings. These practices can teach children how to slow down, pause before reacting, and respond to stressful situations with greater awareness and self-control.
In my child therapy practice, I use age-appropriate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help children manage anxiety, stress, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and catastrophic or “worst-case scenario” thinking. These skills can also support improved self-confidence, emotional regulation, concentration, and the ability to feel more calm and grounded.
Guided Wellness Imagery and Visualizations
Guided imagery and visualization techniques help children use calming mental images to reduce tension, manage stress, and create a greater sense of safety and emotional balance. During child therapy sessions, I may guide children through age-appropriate visualizations of peaceful places, comforting experiences, or successful coping with difficult situations.
These techniques can help children relax their bodies, improve focus, manage anxiety, reduce emotional overwhelm, and strengthen coping skills. Guided imagery may be especially helpful for children who benefit from creative, experiential approaches to relaxation and emotional regulation.
Movement and Breathing Practices
Movement and breathing practices can help children regulate their bodies, release physical tension, and manage difficult emotions. In child therapy sessions, I use age-appropriate breathing exercises and simple movement techniques to help children slow down, become more aware of physical sensations, and develop greater control over their emotional and behavioral responses.
These techniques can be particularly helpful for children experiencing anxiety, stress, impulsivity, anger, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty calming themselves. Practicing breathing and movement skills can help children feel more grounded, improve self-regulation, and develop practical coping strategies they can use at home, at school, and in other stressful situations.
Mina Kirkova, LCSW-C
Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapist in Hunt Valley, MD
