Counseling
Counseling to Help Children and Families Grow and Thrive
At Hummingbird, our counselors are dedicated to supporting your family and child through various challenges. Each of our therapists holds either a Master’s or Doctorate degree, ensuring expert care tailored to your needs. We offer a range of pediatric counseling services, including parent counseling, family counseling, private child counseling, social groups and siblings of children with unique needs counseling. Our counselors also play a key role in our Hummingbird Children’s Academy and frequently work with children in social-emotional skills groups. Every program is customized to best fit the needs of your child and family.
Social Emotional Development
Social emotional development involves learning to interact with other people, and how to understand and control emotions. Babies start to develop relationships with the people around them right from birth, but the process of learning to communicate, share, and interact with others takes many years to develop. Developing the ability to control emotions and behaviors is also a long process. Children continue to develop their social-emotional skills well into their teenage years, or even young adulthood. Hummingbird pediatric counselors provide individualized support to help children strengthen these critical skills, fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive relationships. View early childhood social emotional milestones.
Understanding Childhood Disorders
Psychiatric disorders can emerge as early as infancy or by five years of age. While some are rarer than others, early recognition and intervention are crucial. Below are some categories of childhood disorders that we address:
Development Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Elimination disorders (enuresis aka bedwetting)
- Tic disorders (e.g., Tourette’s syndrome)
- Intellectual Disability
Emotional Disorders
- Anxiety disorders (e.g., separation anxiety disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-PTSD from significant trauma like physical or sexual abuse, or witnessing a traumatic event)
- Mood disorders (e.g., depression or bipolar disorder)
- Reactive attachment disorder (inability to form an emotional bond with a primary caregiver)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Somatization (excessive focus on physical symptoms causing distress or problems with functioning)
Behavioral Disorders
- ADHD/ADD and disruptive behavior or impulse disorders
- OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Eating disorders (e.g., pica – craving non-food items like dirt or chalk)
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
If you have concerns about your child’s social-emotional development, reviewing developmental milestones can be helpful. For further guidance, you can consult your pediatrician or reach out to us for a complimentary phone consultation with one of our pediatric counselors.
Trauma and Grief Counseling for Children
Children may need counseling for trauma and grief when they have experienced a significant loss or distressing event. Trauma can result from abuse, neglect, accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing violence, while grief may stem from the loss of a loved one, a pet, or major life changes like divorce. Without proper support, these experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, behavioral issues, and trouble forming relationships.
Our pediatric counselors provide a safe space for children to express their emotions and process their experiences in a way that is appropriate for their developmental level. Through a combination of therapies, children can develop healthy coping mechanisms, rebuild a sense of security, and regain emotional balance.
Our Areas of Expertise
Our pediatric counseling team is highly skilled in various therapeutic approaches and certifications, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps children identify and change negative thought patterns that affect their emotions and behaviors. It is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues.
Art Therapy
Encourages children to express their emotions creatively through drawing, painting, or sculpting, which is especially beneficial for those who struggle to verbalize their feelings.
Play Therapy
Uses play as a means of communication to help children process their emotions, resolve conflicts, and build social skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
Behavior Therapy (Not ABA)
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Provider
ADHD Clinical Service Providers
Certified Grief Support Specialist
Family Therapy
Social Skills Development
Explore Related Therapies
Speak With a Therapist
Supporting Your Child’s Safety and Well-Being
At Hummingbird, our priority is always the safety and well-being of every child. We are deeply committed to providing compassionate counseling in a supportive environment, but there are times when a higher level of care is the most appropriate next step.
If your child expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important that they receive immediate support from a specialized provider equipped to assess and manage those concerns. In these situations, we will ask that your child first receive clearance from a qualified mental health professional or crisis evaluation service before starting or returning to counseling sessions at Hummingbird. Our team can help guide you through this process and provide trusted referrals to providers who are able to offer comprehensive support. The state of Illinois offers a free, confidential, support helpline that will connect you to a trained crisis professional. To access this service call or text 988. We want to ensure that your child has access to care without delay.
We understand how overwhelming these moments can feel. You are not alone, and we are here to help you take the next step in getting your child the right support.
Take the first step
At Hummingbird, we are committed to helping children and families navigate life’s challenges with expert care and compassionate support. If you would like to learn more about our pediatric counseling services or schedule a consultation, please contact us today.