Therapy for Behavioral Concerns in Children in Eden Prairie, MN
Therapy can help uncover what’s behind the behavior and support healthier ways of coping.
If your child’s behavior feels like more than “just a phase,” therapy can help.
When a child’s behavior feels intense, unpredictable, or hard to manage, it can leave parents feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next. Behavioral concerns are often a child’s way of communicating stress, unmet needs, or emotions they do not yet have words for.
At Creekside Counseling, we provide therapy for behavioral issues in children, supporting kids and teens who are struggling at home, at school, or in relationships. Our therapists offer in-person therapy in Eden Prairie, MN and virtual therapy across Minnesota, helping children feel understood while giving parents guidance and support along the way.
Therapy for Behavioral Issues in Children
Behavioral problems in children often reflect emotional overwhelm, stress, or difficulty regulating feelings. Therapy focuses on understanding the root causes rather than simply correcting behavior.
Therapy for behavioral concerns may be helpful if your child is experiencing:
Frequent tantrums, meltdowns, or emotional outbursts
Defiance, aggression, or ongoing power struggles
Difficulty following rules or managing frustration
Behavioral challenges at school or daycare
Withdrawal, shutdown, or sudden behavior changes
Every child is different, and therapy is tailored to your child’s age, needs, and temperament.
Common Behavioral Concerns We Support
Families often seek therapy for behavioral issues when children are struggling with:
Emotional regulation and impulse control
Transitions or changes in routine
Anxiety, stress, or overwhelm expressed through behavior
Difficulty with boundaries or expectations
Challenges related to family conflict, school stress, or peer relationships
Behavior is communication, and therapy helps children express themselves in healthier ways.
What Therapy Looks Like at Creekside Counseling
Therapy for behavioral concerns is not about punishment or blame. It is about helping children feel safe enough to explore emotions and learn new skills.
Our sessions are:
Child-centered and developmentally appropriate
Focused on emotional regulation and coping skills
Supportive of both the child and the parent
Parent involvement may be included to help reinforce progress at home and provide practical strategies.
Our Approach to Family Counseling
Our therapists use evidence-informed, trauma-aware approaches tailored to each family. This approach supports family conflict resolution while keeping your child’s emotional well-being at the center.
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CBT helps children understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. In therapy, kids learn to notice negative or self-critical thinking patterns that often show up with depression and practice more balanced, supportive ways of thinking. CBT also helps children build coping skills for managing sadness, low motivation, and emotional overwhelm in everyday situations.
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EMDR can be helpful for kids whose depression is connected to stressful or overwhelming experiences. This approach supports the brain in processing emotional memories that may be keeping sadness, fear, or hopelessness stuck. EMDR for kids is adapted to be age-appropriate and may include movement, drawing, or other child-friendly techniques to help children feel safer and more regulated.
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ART is a gentle, structured therapy that helps children work through distressing memories or emotional experiences without needing to talk through every detail. This can be especially helpful for kids who have trouble putting feelings into words. ART supports emotional relief, improved mood, and a stronger sense of control over thoughts and feelings.
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This approach focuses on building a strong, trusting relationship between your child and their therapist while helping kids identify strengths and small, achievable steps forward. Rather than focusing only on problems, solution-focused therapy helps children notice what is already working and build confidence as they move toward emotional stability and hope.
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Play therapy helps children express and work through anxiety using activities that feel natural and safe, such as play, art, movement, or storytelling. For kids who have difficulty explaining worries with words, play therapy supports emotional regulation, confidence, and coping skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
Helping Children Build Emotional and Behavioral Skills
As children gain skills and support, behavioral challenges often decrease naturally.
Therapy helps them:
❋ Build confidence and self-awarenessChildren gain insight into their strengths and feel more capable navigating everyday situations.
❋ Identify and name emotionsTherapy helps children recognize what they are feeling and understand how emotions influence behavior.
❋ Develop tools to calm their bodies and mindsKids learn practical strategies to manage big reactions, stress, and emotional overwhelm.
❋ Improve frustration tolerance and problem-solvingTherapy supports children in handling challenges without escalating into meltdowns or shutdown.
Our Providers
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Elisabeth Emmerich
OWNER, MA, LPCC, RPT™
Elisabeth helps women navigate anxiety, perfectionism, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma, while also supporting kids and teens through anxiety, trauma and life transitions. As a mom of three, she brings firsthand understanding of the pressures of motherhood to a warm, compassionate, and practical approach that helps clients untangle old patterns and create meaningful change.
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Marina Mitcheltree
MA, LPCC
Marina supports children, teens, and families navigating anxiety, behavioral challenges, and life transitions. She specializes in early childhood mental health, child-parent relationships, and play therapy, and is passionate about empowering women and supporting BIPOC communities. As a mom, she brings personal insight into the challenges of parenting while creating a compassionate, practical space for families and individuals to heal and grow. -
Laura Muench
MSW, LICSW
Laura specializes in early childhood, autism support, and parent-child relationships, helping families navigate behavior challenges, anxiety, and life transitions. With a strong focus on connection and attachment, she takes a warm, practical approach to supporting both children and parents. Laura especially enjoys working with young children and guiding families toward more confidence, stronger communication, and meaningful, lasting change.
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Alyse Yoder, MSW, LICSW
Alyse specializes in helping children ages 8 and older, teens, and young adults navigate anxiety, self-esteem, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. With a calm, compassionate, and relational approach, she creates a supportive space for clients to build confidence, better understand themselves, and feel comfortable being who they are.
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Alexis Owings, MA, LPCC
Alexis specializes in helping children and families navigate anxiety, big emotions, behavioral challenges, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. Using Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she helps children develop coping skills, build confidence, and strengthen connections with their families.
Your Questions, Answered
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Therapy can help with tantrums, defiance, aggression, difficulty following directions, and challenges at school or home.
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Behavior is often a form of communication. Children may act out due to frustration, anxiety, unmet needs, or difficulty regulating emotions.
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Therapy focuses on understanding the root cause of behaviors and teaching skills—not just stopping behaviors, but improving long-term outcomes.
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Yes, parents receive practical tools and guidance to reinforce positive behavior and support their child consistently.
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Progress varies, but many families notice improvements as consistency and new strategies are implemented over time.
