Early Childhood Psychology
A child’s first five years of life are a critical time for social-emotional development, including forming relationships, regulating emotions, and establishing the foundations of learning.
Wolff Child Psychology offers several services to support healthy development during these highly influential early years. Our Early Childhood Psychology Program supports infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and parents/caregivers with the following:
Early Childhood Psychology: Evaluation
At Wolff Child Psychology, we are well-known for providing compassionate, comprehensive evaluations, and several of our team members are experts in conducting evaluations specifically for very young children. An evaluation can help assess and diagnose autism spectrum disorder, global developmental or language delays, and emotional or behavioral challenges.
We also work extensively with children who have been diagnosed with genetic disorders and/or those who present with considerable medical complexity.
Note: We strive to get young children (18-47 months) scheduled for evaluations as soon as possible.
Early Childhood Psychology: Perinatal and Infant Mental Health
The addition of a child is a dynamic and distinct time which can bring about changes in identity, relationships, and daily stressors. We provide individual therapy for expectant parents, new parents, and parents navigating fertility, grief, and loss. Initial sessions include thorough assessment of current functioning, mental health symptoms, and attachment. You and your clinician will work together to identify goals for intervention, and techniques may draw from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Therapy is relational in nature, insight-oriented, and trauma-informed.
All parents are welcome; adjusting to a new baby can be challenging for everyone, and a parent’s own neurodivergence can impact their experience in different ways. Our expertise in perinatal mental health and working with neurodivergent individuals make us uniquely well-suited to provide support.
For more information and resources on perinatal mental health, visit Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Early Childhood Psychology: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for young children ages 2-7 years with behavioral difficulties (e.g., tantrums, aggression, difficulty following directions, ADHD), anxiety, selective mutism, and autism spectrum disorder. Delivered through in-person or telehealth sessions, PCIT uses live, real-time coaching to help parents learn practical, positive strategies to strengthen the parent-child relationship, support emotion and behavior regulation, and reduce the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviors. These skills are designed to promote long-lasting behavioral change, with many parents reporting increased confidence, reduced stress, and a stronger connection with their children.
Early Childhood Psychology: Parent Coaching
Early Childhood parent coaching is designed to support parents as they nurture their young child’s social-emotional development. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship as the foundation for growth. During parent coaching, we work together to better understand your child’s behavior, emotions, and developmental needs. We view all behavior as communication, and we focus on responding to behavior in ways that support connection and learning. This relationship-focused approach helps children feel secure while also guiding them toward new skills. Coaching sessions are collaborative and respectful of each family’s values, culture, and strengths. We tailor strategies to your child’s age, temperament, and unique needs, while also supporting your confidence as a parent.
Early Childhood Psychology: Next Steps
If early childhood services sound like what you might need, we encourage you to reach out and start the conversation. Even if you’re unsure what to do next, a caring expert on our team is ready to listen and help guide you. Contact us today and we’ll help you get started.