Child therapy in Aurora and Wheaton that looks beneath behavior.

Support for children carrying big feelings, school stress, anger outbursts, separation anxiety, behavioral concerns, and patterns that leave parents unsure what to try next.

Roots to Branches offers child therapy through both the Aurora and Wheaton offices, with intake guidance around fit, specialty, location, and telehealth when clinically appropriate.

Child-specialized support

Behavior is often the signal, not the whole story.

Children often communicate stress through behavior before they can explain the full story. Parents may notice anxiety, anger, opposition or defiance, sensory sensitivities, somatic complaints, school stress, or hard recoveries after difficult moments.

Roots to Branches specializes in child and family support while also allowing care to grow with the family. The intake process considers age, concern, clinician fit, location, and whether child therapy, play therapy, parent coaching, family counseling, or teen support makes the most sense.

The goal is for children to feel safe, understood, and supported while caregivers receive enough context and practical guidance to support change at home.

Child therapist Aurora & Wheaton IL

Meet our child therapy team.

These Roots to Branches therapists provide child therapy and family support for children and families in Aurora, Wheaton, and the Fox Valley.

Molly Westfall, MA, LCPC, RPT-S

Molly Westfall

MA, LCPC, RPT-S

Founder and registered play therapist-supervisor with a child-specialist focus.

  • Child therapy
  • Play therapy
  • Parent coaching
View bio
Melanie Keirnan, MSW, LSW

Melanie Keirnan

MSW, LSW

Support for children, teens, adults, and parents.

  • Child therapy
  • Teen counseling
  • Adult therapy
  • Parent coaching
View bio
Kendall KJ Banks, MS, LPC

Kendall KJ Banks

MS, LPC

Support for children, teens, adults, parents, families, and men's mental health.

  • Child therapy
  • Play therapy
  • Teen counseling
  • Parent coaching
View bio
Cassie Nieves, MSW, LCSW

Cassie Nieves

MSW, LCSW

Therapy for teens and children navigating anxiety, grief, and anger management.

  • Teen therapy
  • Child therapy
View bio
What brings families in

Support for hard-to-shift patterns.

The first step is understanding what is happening for your child and what care path may fit best.

Big feelings

Anger, tears, shutdowns, worry, separation fears, and hard recoveries after difficult moments.

Behavior concerns

Repeated conflict, defiance, daily friction, or patterns that leave caregivers unsure what to try next.

School stress

Avoidance, peer conflict, focus challenges, transitions, and confidence that has started to fray.

Family strain

Sibling tension, routines that keep breaking down, or repair that feels hard after stressful moments.

Related support

Helpful pages for child therapy concerns.

These pages help parents move from the general child therapy path into more specific concerns and family support options.

Common questions

Before you request an appointment.

Do both offices offer child therapy?

Yes. Child therapy, play therapy, teen counseling, parent coaching, family counseling, adult therapy, and telehealth support are available across both locations. The best fit depends on clinician availability, specialty, and your family's needs.

Is child therapy the same as play therapy?

Not always. Play therapy is one developmentally attuned form of child therapy. The intake process helps clarify whether play therapy, child therapy, parent coaching, family counseling, or another care path fits best.

Do I need to know which therapist to request?

No. The intake process looks at age, concerns, location, schedule, and clinician specialty so your family can be directed toward a thoughtful fit.

Can child therapy include parent support?

Yes. Depending on the concern and clinical fit, parent coaching or family support may be part of the care path because support for the family system supports the child.

Begin

Start with one steady next step.

Request an appointment and Molly will help clarify fit, location, availability, and next steps.

Request An Appointment