Grief Counseling for Kids
Grief counseling for children ages 3–12 in San Antonio —individual clinical therapy sessions that help kids process loss, express big feelings, and begin to heal in a safe, supportive setting.
Understanding Grief in Children
Grief is a natural response to loss, but it often looks very different in children than in adults. Younger kids may move quickly in and out of sadness, regress in behavior, cling more, act out, or seem “fine” one moment and distraught the next. When a child has lost a parent, grandparent, sibling, caregiver, or is coping with serious illness in the family, their world can feel confusing and scary, even if they don’t yet have the words to describe what they’re feeling.
If your child’s behavior has changed, more tantrums, more defiance, or more worries, grief may be the reason. You might notice separation struggles, new fears at bedtime, tummy aches, or a child who suddenly doesn’t want to go to school. School performance may dip as they have trouble concentrating, completing work, or staying engaged in class. Grieving families need support, too; you’re not expected to have all the answers, and therapy can give both you and your child a framework for navigating loss together.
Choose the best entry point for your child’s care journey:
Assessment
(5 Step Process)
Our psychologists and psychometricians work with your family to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
We’ll begin by asking you questions about your child, what potential behavioral problems they may have, and what you believe the goals for their treatment should be. We will also provide a questionnaire and other intake documents.
We offer developmental, educational, and psychological tests to better understand your child’s needs.
A psychometrist and psychologist will analyze the results, providing a summary of any findings and diagnoses.
We’ll provide you with a list of recommendations for your child’s care, which can include therapy, medication, and/or medical referrals.
We’ll discuss your child’s results and options for moving forward. Once we’ve finalized the plan, we’ll quickly transition your child to the next steps.
Therapy
(6 Step Process)
We provide evidence-based play and talk therapy to help children and teens heal, grow, and thrive.
We’ll take time to learn your concerns and your child’s needs. Together, we’ll set treatment goals and expectations.
These first weeks of therapy are foundational for getting to know one another and building trust with you and your child.
We call this the “Working Stage” of the process. At this point, it’s common to see resistance and an increase in poor behavior.
During the “Growing Stage,” children start to develop coping skills as they figure out healthier ways to manage behavior, express emotions, and heal.
Children are encouraged to practice their new coping mechanisms. During this stage, they are often better self-regulated and more resilient.
As your child reaches new heights of independence, the time comes to celebrate their readiness to continue this journey with their newfound skills!
Medication Management
(4 Step Process)
We offer medication management services to help reduce problematic symptoms and improve treatment outcomes.
We’ll gather a detailed history of your child’s mental health concerns and discuss if medication management is right for your child.
A medication management provider will meet with you and your child and collaborate to develop a comprehensive medication treatment plan.
We will hold periodic check-ins to evaluate the effectiveness of your child’s medication regimen and make adjustments as needed to promote their optimal well-being.
Once your child shows consistent improvement and stabilization, we will gradually shift our focus to helping reduce medication dependence and emphasizing other non-pharmacological interventions.
We’ll discuss your child’s results and options for moving forward. Once we’ve finalized the plan, we’ll quickly transition your child to the next steps.
Begin Your Child’s Success Story With Child Counseling at Mind Works
Ready to get started or have more questions for our team before moving forward? Give us a call or fill out a simple form online to start the journey toward your child’s thriving future.
Our Approach to Grief Counseling for Kids
Grief counseling at Mind Works is clinical, one-on-one therapy for children. Each child receives a personalized treatment plan that fits their age, developmental level, type of loss, and family needs. Sessions are structured around clear goals but flexible enough to follow your child’s pace and readiness.
For ages 3–12, we primarily use play-based and creative interventions alongside gentle, age-appropriate conversations. Therapists may incorporate child-friendly cognitive-behavioral strategies when helpful, especially for anxious thoughts or trauma reactions after a sudden or traumatic loss.
Across sessions, we focus on emotional awareness, calming skills, and gradual processing of the loss in pieces that your child can handle. Progress happens through consistent therapy sessions over time, not by pushing your child to “move on” before they’re ready.
Launch Your Child’s Healing Journey in Three Simple Steps
1. Get in Touch
Get started with Mind Works by filling out our simple contact form online or giving us a call.
2. Complete Intake Process
Submit all required paperwork so we can better understand your child’s history and needs.
3. Begin Treatment
Your child’s targeted plan will begin with testing or therapy and medication management.
Launch Your Child’s Healing Journey in Three Simple Steps
1. Get in Touch
Get started with Mind Works by filling out our simple contact form online or giving us a call.
2. Complete Intake Process
Submit all required paperwork so we can better understand your child’s history and needs.
3. Begin Treatment
Your child’s targeted plan will begin with testing or therapy and medication management.
Key Signs a Child Might Benefit from Grief Therapy
It’s important to remember that every child grieves differently, and some may not seem overtly distressed. However, if you notice any of these signs persisting over an extended period, it’s a good idea to seek professional help:
Drastic behavioral changes: Becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or unusually clingy.
Persistent sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, or sleeping too much.
Loss of interest in activities: Quitting hobbies they once enjoyed.
Physical complaints without a clear cause: Stomachaches, headaches, or fatigue.
Expressions of worthlessness or guilt: Feeling responsible for the death or believing they are a bad person.
Difficulties in school: Failing grades, trouble concentrating, or behavioral problems in the classroom.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Parenting Challenges?
Let’s Tackle This Together.
Parenting can be full of pressures, uncertainties, and challenges. Together, we’ll create a supportive plan tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring you both are set up for success.
How ADHD Testing and Treatment Help Your Child Thrive at Home, School, and Play
If your child is showing symptoms of ADHD or has already received a diagnosis, getting the appropriate help can significantly improve your child’s chances of happiness and success in life. Parents have a hard time understanding a child with ADHD’s behaviors and may misinterpret symptoms as forgetfulness, lack of intelligence, or willful disobedience. Seeking ADHD treatment at Mind Works can provide your child with many benefits.
Accurate Diagnosis
Our specialized ADHD assessments provide a clear understanding of your child’s condition, differentiating between ADHD and other behavioral or emotional challenges, setting the stage for targeted interventions.
Customized Treatment Plans
Leveraging insights from testing, Mind Works creates personalized treatment strategies that may include therapy, medication, and practical support for both children and their families.
Enhanced Academic Performance
With our detailed evaluation, we identify and advocate for the necessary educational accommodations, ensuring your child receives the support they need to succeed in school.
Improved Social Interactions
Through therapy, children with ADHD develop essential social skills, learning to build and maintain healthy relationships with peers and adults alike.
Effective Coping Strategies
Our evidence-based therapies equip children with coping mechanisms to manage symptoms of ADHD, enhancing focus, reducing impulsivity, and promoting emotional regulation.
Family Support and Education
Mind Works provides parents and siblings with education and strategies to create a supportive home environment, fostering understanding and effective communication.
Important Considerations for Parents and Caregivers
When helping a grieving child it is important to provide validation, safety, and healthy tools to help them manage the difficult life event. Early intervention through therapy can have a significantly positive impact on a child’s short-term coping and long-term emotional well-being.
Be Honest and Open: Answer your child’s questions truthfully and simply, using language they can understand. Avoid euphemisms like “went away” or “is sleeping,” which can cause confusion.
Reassure Them: Reassure your child that they are safe, loved, and not responsible for the loss.
Allow and Normalize Their Feelings: Let your child know that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, confused, or any other emotion that comes up. Validate their feelings without trying to “fix” them.
Maintain Routines: Providing structure and predictability can offer a sense of security and stability for children.
Take Care of Yourself: Grief impacts the entire family. It’s important to seek support for yourself so you can be emotionally available for your child.
How Mind Works Help Your Family Heal
Accurate Diagnosis
Our specialized assessments provide a clear understanding of your child’s condition, differentiating between grief and other behavioral or emotional challenges, setting the stage for targeted interventions.
Customized Treatment Plans
Leveraging insights from testing, Mind Works creates personalized treatment strategies that may include therapy, medication, and practical support for both children and their families.
Enhanced Academic Performance
With our detailed evaluation, we identify and advocate for the necessary educational accommodations, ensuring your child receives the support they need to succeed in school.
Improved Social Interactions
Through therapy, grieving children develop essential coping skills and learn how to experience grief and sadness in healthy ways.
Effective Coping Strategies
Our evidence-based grief counseling helps children develop healthy coping skills to understand their loss, express big feelings safely, and gradually restore a sense of emotional balance and security.
Family Support and Education
Mind Works provides parents and siblings with education and strategies to create a supportive home environment, fostering understanding and effective communication.
Begin Your Child’s Success Story
Ready to get started or have more questions for our team before moving forward? Give us a call or fill out a simple form online to start the journey toward your child’s thriving future.
Why Mind Works?
Specialized Expertise
Our team is specially trained and qualified to treat behavioral health concerns in children and teens, from ages 3 to 17. Every provider is trained by our registered play therapist supervisor, engaging in play activities to personalize therapy.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
We deliver the full spectrum of mental health services for children, including assessments, evidence-based therapy, medication management, and parental guidance.
Collaborative Approach
Our integrated team comes together to provide the absolute best care for your child, sharing key information and working cooperatively to establish a comprehensive treatment plan.
Evidence-Based Care
Our team uses a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including play therapy for children 3-12, CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Solutions-Focused Therapy.
What Drives Our Team?
We understand that when a child is grieving, the entire family feels the impact. Our team brings together gentle, compassionate care and specialized training in childhood loss, all with a shared commitment to helping kids find comfort, meaning, and hope after someone important has died. We work to create a space where both small moments of relief and big steps forward are noticed and honored, while offering children and caregivers practical ways to cope with grief in daily life.
Our clinicians come from a variety of backgrounds, connected by a deep dedication to walking alongside families during some of their hardest seasons. Our goal is not only to provide high-quality clinical care, but also to offer a steady, welcoming place where parents and children can face the waves of grief together, recognizing each expression of courage and healing as an important part of their story.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The length of counseling depends on your child’s needs, the type of loss, and how they are coping. We talk in terms of sessions, not strict timelines, and regularly review progress with you so the pace feels right for your child.
Medication doesn’t “cure” grief, but sometimes children develop significant anxiety, depression, or sleep issues related to a loss. In those situations, a conversation about medication may be appropriate as part of a broader treatment plan. Any decision is made carefully and individually.
You can use simple, concrete language like “died” and “death” instead of phrases such as “went to sleep” or “went away,” and let your child ask questions at their own pace. The therapist can also help you find age-appropriate words and rituals that fit your family’s beliefs. If you need help, feel free to call us.
No. Many children start by playing, drawing, or talking about everyday life before they’re ready to share more about the person who died. The therapist follows your child’s lead and gently opens the door to grief when it feels safe.
It’s common for children to feel unsure at first. We’ll help you explain what counseling is in child-friendly terms, and the therapist will focus on building trust through play and gentle conversation so your child feels more comfortable over time.
Over time, you may notice your child is more able to talk about the person who died, use coping skills when upset, return to some usual activities, or have fewer intense meltdowns. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly and adjust the plan as needed.
Success Stories
“Highly recommend Mind Works. I am a clinician in Illinois and needed to find a clinic in Texas that could provide services to my client that was moving. This is no easy feat to do across the United States. Mind Works was fabulous to work with from the very beginning. Coordination of care was 5 stars and my “previous” client is very happy with their new counselor. Thank you very much for going above and beyond during this difficult time so many other counseling offices are facing. I appreciate all the help and coordination you offered my client!”
“I have known the owners for over 8 years and have taken a family member to Mind Works. Therefore, I can speak of them both personally and professionally. There truly is no better place for this service, especially for children and young adults. On the personal level, I know how much they truly care about everyone they meet. On a professional level, the entire staff is a reflection of the dedication to helping others and competence that gets results that the owners exude. During the incredibly trying time of this pandemic and the fear and anxiety it has caused many people, we are incredibly blessed to have Mind Works available to support.”
“The front desk staff is kind and courteous and helped me find the right therapist for my child. When I met my therapist she was kind and explained the process to me. I love that she included me in the play therapy process and helped me understand how to help my child. Thankful for the therapists at Mind Works!”
“Mindworks is the leader in child centered play therapy and collaborative care in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Their focus is solely on the mental health of children and teenagers. Each clinician at all four locations is seasoned, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable. Parents trust that their child is going to get the treatment and services they need and deserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed working as a clinician at Mindworks. The support and leadership is consistent and outstanding. Unlike any other job that I have had, leadership and clinicians work together to cultivate an awesome work environment.”
Help Your Child Soar to New Heights
A world of possibility awaits your child, and we’re so excited for the opportunity to help them work through roadblocks, improve their skills, and unleash their potential. Get in touch with our team at (210) 366-3700 and start your child down a happier, healthier path today!