Infant and Early Childhood Program

Our evaluations are strengths-based and culturally sensitive. We recognize that every family approaches parenting differently and seek to partner with parents to determine the best path forward to help each child thrive.

Mental health needs can impact the whole family and the family environment is critical for successful treatment. As part of our assessment process, we will collect rating scales, ask about your child’s wellbeing and functioning and also inquire about the wellbeing of all family members.  

Most children in our clinic benefit greatly from our therapeutic services. We can also provide psychiatric assessments to determine if medications are indicated as well. 

Children and caregivers can find evaluation and/or treatment for a range of issues, including:

• Tantrums and behavior problems
• Separation anxiety
• Concerns about development
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Sleep and Eating difficulties
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Processing grief and trauma
• Parent Stress
• Groups for Parents of Neurodiverse Children

Therapists in our program have backgrounds in a variety of evidence-based early childhood interventions.

PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems. PCIT is done across two treatment phases. The first phase of treatment focuses on establishing warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves.
The second phase of treatment will equip you to manage the most challenging of your child’s behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in your approach to discipline. In this phase, you will learn proven strategies to help your child accept your limits, comply with your directions, respect house rules, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in public.
Learn more about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) 

CPP is a type of therapy for young children ages 0-6 years old with their adults/caregivers who have experienced overwhelming stress or disruptions in their relationships with adults. CPP supports family strengths and relationships, helps family heal and grow after stressful experiences while respecting family and cultural values. CPP may help when:
Children have been through scary or painful events such as loss of a loved person, separation, serious medical procedures, abuse, or violence at home or in the community
Children show difficult behaviors
Children have a change in placement or caregivers
Family members have physical health or mental health difficulties
Caregivers would like help with parenting and improving parent-child relationships
Learn more about Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

TF-CBT is a structured, short-term treatment model that effectively improves a range of trauma-related outcomes in 8-25 sessions. Although TF-CBT is highly effective at improving youth posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and diagnosis, a PTSD diagnosis is not required in order to receive this treatment. TF-CBT also effectively addresses many other trauma impacts, including depression, anxiety, cognitive and behavioral problems, as well as improving the participating parent’s or caregiver’s personal distress about your child’s traumatic experience, effective parenting skills, and supportive interactions with your child.
Learn more about Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) ™
At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. The program is delivered either in a group or individually and helps parents to:
Understand a child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs
Support a child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
Enhance the development of a child’s self esteem
Honor innate wisdom and desire for children to be secure
For more information or to schedule an initial appointment, please call 202-944-5400.

Supporting Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
This 12-week group is focused on providing caregivers with peer and clinician support in a facilitated space. The group has rolling admissions and can accept referrals at any time.