Child Therapy: Play-Based & Family-Inclusive Care
Therapy That Meets Kids Where They Are
Kids don’t always have the words, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have something important to say.
At Empower Family Therapy, our experienced child therapists in Chicago and Oak Park use play therapy, art, and developmentally appropriate talk therapy to help children express themselves, build emotional regulation skills, and gain more confidence in managing their feelings.
Whether your child is anxious, withdrawn, highly reactive, or caught in big emotional storms, we meet them where they are. Emotionally, socially, and developmentally.
What We Work On in Child Therapy
We support kids through a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including:
School refusal and separation anxiety
Grief and loss
Sibling conflict and family transitions
Depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues
Suicidal ideation and emotional outbursts
Every behavior is a signal. Our job is to help you and your child understand what’s underneath the surface and how to respond with more connection and less chaos.
The Family Isn’t the Problem. It’s the Resource.
We don’t work with your child in isolation. Our family-inclusive approach to therapy recognizes that kids grow in the context of their relationships. When caregivers are resourced, kids feel it.
We help caregivers learn real-world co-regulation strategies, build structure and emotional safety at home, shift stuck patterns without blame, and better understand what their child’s behavior is truly communicating. You’ll be supported and involved throughout the process. You won't be left on the sidelines.
Why Choose Empower Family Therapy
We’re not a one-size-fits-all clinic. We specialize in play-based, developmentally appropriate therapy grounded in cultural awareness, emotional safety, and family systems.
Here’s what makes us different:
Play-Based & Practical: We use creative methods that feel natural to kids while teaching tools they’ll actually use.
Family Systems Approach: Your child is seen within the full picture—home, school, and relationships.
Culturally Responsive Care: We honor the values, identities, and lived experiences of every family.
Flexible Options: We offer therapy in our Chicago (Lincoln Park) and Oak Park offices, as well as virtual child therapy across Illinois and Florida.
We help families create a plan that fits real life—not a perfect schedule, but a sustainable one.
Start Child Therapy in Chicago or Oak Park Today
Your child doesn’t need to talk like an adult to benefit from therapy. Often, real progress happens through play, drawing, movement, and just being themselves. We create a space where your child feels seen and where you feel more confident in how to support them. If you’re looking for child therapy in Chicago, Oak Park, or anywhere in Illinois, we’re here to help.
With the right support, kids grow. Families reconnect. And things get lighter.