Child Counseling To Help Your Kid With Life, Challenges & Growing Up

Welcome! Below please find my approach to providing counseling for children, available to clients in Oregon, New York, Vermont and Colorado.

Child Counseling Can Help Kids Of All Ages

In my work as both a clinical psychologist and a school psychologist over the past 10+ years I have had the opportunity to support children and their families across the contexts of home, school, hospital settings and beyond. I have worked across the developmental span from toddlerhood to college-age. I have just about seen it all, and I love working with kids and families to address concerns both large and small.

What Situations Can Child Counseling Help My Kid Work Through?

It is difficult to be a kid! I like the common adage that “nobody gets through childhood unscathed.” In my practice, I often work with children struggling with all kinds of upsetting situations. These may include: friendship problems, family conflict, learning difficulties, big changes at home or school, as well as more classically traumatic or frightening events including abuse, loss of a caregiver, or major illness. Psychological symptoms I often help children work through include depression, anxiety, behavioral challenges and eating disorders. More specific information about my approach to working with autism and ADHD can be found here. The goal of my work with children is always to help them align with their own optimal and unique developmental path. From there, they can focus on finding connection, joy and freedom in their lives.

How Do You Support Kids Who Think They Might Be Gay, Lesbian, Queer, Or Transgender?

My overall approach in this realm can be read about here I often work with children working through questions related to sexuality or gender. I aim to take an approach of respect and curiosity, helping kids learn how to be true to themselves in a developmentally appropriate way.

My Kid Is Neurodivergent And Needs Someone Who Understands That World, Can You Help Them?

Yes! I often work with kids who are neurodivergent. This term is often used to describe autism and ADHD, although it can also describe a wider range of differences in ways of thinking and perceiving the world.

I align with the social model of disability. This means that I see neurodivergence not as an impairment, but as a true difference that the world needs! These differences can cause problems when the needs of the neurodivergent person run against the expectations of a world that often assumes that everyone is neurotypical. You can read more about my approach here

Do I Attend Therapy With My Child?

For younger children, I always start with a caregiver consultation. Then, I usually suggest a caregiver session every month or so if a child is being seen weekly for therapy. For older children, caregivers are also involved, but the frequency of involvement may be less depending on the child’s needs around independence and having their own therapy space.

Do You Offer In-person And Virtual Child Counseling?

I am mainly practicing virtually at this time, however there is some availability for in-person sessions for clients based in Portland, Oregon.

What Does Counseling Cost?

My rate is $200 per session, and I can help you submit for out-of-network benefits if your plan provides those. Under certain circumstances I am also able to offer sliding-scale with some flexibility on cost.

Dr. Gillian Boudreau At NYU Steinhardt

Understanding and Addressing Anxiety with Autistic Children

Children on the autism spectrum may experience significant anxiety which can impact their own lives as well as the dynamics within their families. Because of the unique way that anxiety combines with autism, triggers and symptoms of anxiety can be difficult for families to anticipate and address—resulting in misinterpretation of common expressions of anxiety and preventing effective intervention.

In this workshop, participants will learn to recognize and understand anxious patterns among children and adolescents on the spectrum. Parents will be educated about effective treatment options and will practice powerful and innovative techniques to effectively reduce anxiety at home.

Q&A: Anxiety and Autism in Children.

How Can I Get Started?

I offer child counseling to folks in Oregon, New York, Vermont and Colorado. Answers to common questions about my practice can be found here. If you would like to have a chat to explore working together, please reach out by email at gillianboudreau@gillianboudreauphd.com, or by phone at 802-671-4037