Hillary Carrington

Some children experience day-to-day life much more intensely than other children their age. These intense emotions can quickly lead to challenging behaviors such as refusing to follow directions, hitting, screaming, throwing toys, or damaging items around them. Many parents feel blindsided. Once triggered, your child’s emotions may escalate from 0 to 100 in seconds. There are often additional challenges, including sensory sensitivities. Your child may struggle with everyday routines like brushing their teeth, bathing, or washing their hair. They may be a picky eater, wanting the same foods each day, or insist on wearing the same clothes. Many parents share that strategies that work well with other children seem to make things worse for this child. Over time, parents may find themselves compromising and negotiating to prevent outbursts. Families may avoid leaving their home to avoid judgment from others. Parents may respond in ways that don’t align with their own parenting values, simply to keep the peace. I’m here to help. Parenting exceptionally sensitive and intense children does not come with a manual, but these skills can be learned. In therapy, your child will develop greater tolerance for life’s challenges and stronger emotional regulation skills. Through your commitment to parent training, you will learn how to remain calm and in control during big emotions and importantly, how to reduce the likelihood of future meltdowns. I hold a degree from UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and am a Licensed Professional Counselor–Supervisor (LPC-S). I have completed advanced training in Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children. These evidence-based approaches were specifically developed to address the challenges described here. Important Considerations Please note that my services may not be the best fit for every situation. If any of the following apply, I recommend speaking with your primary care provider for alternative referrals: Past or pending custody disputes Court-ordered treatment