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If your child covers their ears in a grocery store, gags at food textures that others eat without a second thought, refuses to wear certain fabrics, or seems to seek constant rough-and-tumble input while never seeming to get enough, you may be wondering: what is sensory processing disorder, and could my child have it?

Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ identities often overlap in meaningful ways. Affirming therapy can help clients feel seen, supported, and free to be their full selves.

interoception: the brain's ability to sense and interpret internal body signals. Have you ever noticed that your child seems unaware of being hungry until they're completely melting down — or that they don't realize they need the bathroom until it's an emergency? These moments may not be about behavior or defiance. They may be connected to something called interoception: the brain's ability to sense and interpret internal body signals. Interoception is often described as our

End-of-school-year burnout is real for students, parents, and teachers. As the final weeks pile on deadlines, performances, testing, and transitions, many families feel exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed. Here’s why the last-bell slump happens, and how small supports can help you finish the school year with more steadiness.

Learn how Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) may show up in children, why it is often misunderstood, and how family therapy can support parents and caregivers.

Learn how to talk to your child about their neurodivergent brain in an affirming way that builds self-understanding, confidence, and self-advocacy.

Support for neurodivergent parents raising neurodivergent children in Vienna, VA. Discover affirming parenting guidance from Family & Child Therapy.

This post shares the neuroscience behind art therapy in Vienna VA and how creative processing supports emotional regulation and trauma recovery.

We’re pleased to welcome Alex Haller, ATR-P, Resident in Counseling, to Family & Child Therapy in Vienna, VA. Alex offers art-based and talk therapy for children, teens, adults, and families in a neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA+-affirming, and trauma-informed space. Blending traditional counseling with art therapy and CCPT. No artistic experience is needed, art therapy focuses on process, not skill.

This post shares how art therapy in Vienna VA supports neurodivergent communication and emotional processing through creative mental health care.

Finding a therapist is hard for many people. This guide is designed to help parents and, in particular, neurodivergent clients find a therapist who is not just qualified, but affirming, collaborative, and safe.

If you are a parent or pediatric provider, there’s a good chance you’ve been told—or told someone else—that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for treating anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges in children and teens.

Valentine’s Day can be sweet—but for many kids and parents, it can also bring stress, disappointment, and overwhelm.

A lot of parents and adults reach out unsure about what kind of evaluation they need. Is it learning? ADHD? Autism? emotional patterns? or all of the above? This guide offers a clear look at the different types of psychological testing in Vienna VA, what each one examines, and how to figure out which option actually fits your situation.

Collaborate, don’t control. Instead of announcing rules, have a conversation. Ask your teen what feels helpful about their tech use, what makes it hard to unplug, and what kinds of family time they actually enjoy. Co-creating a plan (even a loose one) builds buy-in and reduces power struggles.

Psychological testing can be a powerful tool for understanding how a person thinks, feels, and learns. Whether you’re a teen struggling to keep up at school, an adult navigating anxiety or burnout, or a parent seeking clarity about your child’s needs, comprehensive testing can bring answers—and relief.

If your child is bright and creative but often forgets homework, loses focus easily, or seems “all over the place,” you may have wondered if Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) could be playing a role. Many families consider ADHD testing when attention, organization, or emotional regulation challenges begin to impact daily life—whether at school, home, or in friendships. Read on to enjoy our guide to ADHD testing in NOVA.

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, yet it’s often misunderstood. Many children and teens who experience dyslexia...

Use these tips to assess how the school year is going so far and what tweaks - if any - can be made to your family schedule!

Learn more about AI and teen mental health, including the positives, the negatives, and where to go from here.