Child Therapist for Children in Aledo, Texas
COUNSELING
PLAY THERAPY
PARENT COACHING
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
Families looking for a child therapist can access developmentally appropriate support for children, tweens, teens, and parents through play therapy, parent coaching, animal assisted therapy, and teen therapy. These services support anxiety, behavior concerns, emotional regulation, family communication, and coping skills for families in Aledo, Texas.
Looking for a trusted child therapist in Aledo, Texas? This practice provides expert, experienced counseling for children, tweens, teens, and families throughout Aledo and the surrounding 76086 and 76087 communities. Services include play therapy, parent coaching and filial therapy, animal assisted therapy, and individual counseling for teens, all delivered by a Registered Play Therapist with 25 years of experience helping kids and families heal, grow, and reconnect.
Families across Aledo, Texas search for answers to the same questions before choosing a mental health professional for their child: Is my child's behavior normal? What is play therapy? How do I find a qualified child therapist near me? This page answers those questions directly, using the same information families find helpful when researching child counseling, teen therapy, and parent coaching in Parker County.
WELCOME
WHY CHOOSE LISA FARHAT?
According to the Association for Play Therapy database, there are only six fully licensed Registered Play Therapists in Parker County.
As one of those six, I received specialized training and many hours of supervised experience to be able to provide the very best, developmentally appropriate care for children ages 3-12.
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I have 25 years of experience working with children, teens and families.
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TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL THERAPIST
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1. What training do you have to prepare you to work with my child?​
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2. Have you completed a graduate level course or any professional training in child development?
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3. How many years of experience do you have counseling children?
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4. Approximately how many child clients have you worked with?
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5. What percentage of your caseload is dedicated to seeing child clients each week?
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6. Do you have toys, games, art supplies, or other developmentally appropriate materials in your office?
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7. Can you help my child if he/she doesn't talk during the session?
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8. Are you trained in Filial Therapy? What approach/materials do you use to support and educate parents and caregivers?
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9. What theoretical model to you align with, and how does this apply to your work with children?
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10. How is therapy with a child different from and similar to therapy with an adult?
WHY CHOOSE PLAY THERAPY?
Therapy is an investment in the future of your family. I encourage you to "shop around" for a therapist, just as you would before making any other major time and financial commitment.
Partnering with a Registered Play Therapist means that you and your child will build a relationship with an expert in the field. Not all professionals that see children have earned the RPT or RPT-S credentials.
You may click here to learn more about play therapy and find a Registered Play Therapist in your city.
Thanks for visiting! My name is Lisa Farhat. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist with a private practice in Aledo, Texas.
I specialize in working with children, teens, and families. I have been in this field since 1999 and I opened my own office in 2007. I would love to speak with you about how we might work together to help your family.
My goal with clients of all ages is to build relationships based on 5 things:
Safety
Trust
Acceptance
Respect
Truth
Together, these elements empower us to START the process of positive change. If you're ready now, you can click here to set up an initial consultation. If you're not sure yet, explore this site for more information about me and the different therapies I provide, then call or email to ask any questions.
WHY FAMILIES IN ALEDO, TEXAS CHOOSE THIS PRACTICE
According to the Association for Play Therapy database, there are only six fully licensed Registered Play Therapists in Parker County, and this practice is proud to be one of them. With 25 years of experience working with children, teens, and families, this experienced, trusted counseling practice partners with parents to help kids build the emotional skills they need to feel safe, understood, and confident.
Every family who walks through the door is met with the same five values: Safety, Trust, Acceptance, Respect, and Truth. These values guide every session, whether a child is working through anxiety, a teen is adjusting to a big life change, or a parent is learning new tools through parent coaching.
MEET YOUR CHILD'S THERAPIST IN ALEDO, TEXAS
Lisa Garrett-Farhat, M.Ed., LPC, RPT, has worked with children, teens, and families since 1999 and opened her private practice, The Peaceful Practice / Farhat Family Counseling, PLLC, in Aledo, Texas in 2007. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Baylor University and a Master of Education from the University of North Texas. She is licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and registered with the International Association for Play Therapy.
Before opening her private practice, she worked as a school counselor for Irving ISD, a staff play therapist at the Irving Family Advocacy Center, and a caseworker at the Gladney Center for Adoption. That background in schools, family advocacy, and adoption work shapes the way she approaches every child, teen, and family who comes to her for support today.
WHAT IS CHILD THERAPY AND HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS IT?
Children benefit from therapy when they show signs of anxiety, withdrawal, emotional outbursts, school struggles, or changes in behavior that last for more than a few weeks. These changes can show up as trouble sleeping, meltdowns that seem bigger than the situation calls for, avoiding friends or activities they used to enjoy, or a sudden drop in grades. A qualified child therapist can help identify what is really going on underneath the behavior and give both the child and the parents tools to move forward.
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK BEFORE CHOOSING A CHILD THERAPIST?
Parents searching for the right fit deserve real answers. Before choosing a therapist for a child in Aledo, Texas, consider asking:
1. What training do you have to work with my child specifically?
2. Have you completed graduate-level child development coursework?
3. How many years have you spent counseling children?
4. How many child clients have you worked with?
5. What percentage of your weekly caseload is made up of children?
6. Do you have developmentally appropriate materials in your office?
7. How do you support a child who is not ready to talk?
8. Have you been trained in Filial Therapy?
9. What theoretical model guides your work with kids?
10. How is therapy different for children compared to adults?
These are the same questions this practice encourages every family to ask, because the right training and experience make a real difference in outcomes for kids.
What Services Does This Practice Offer for Children, Teens, and Families?
This practice offers child therapy, teen counseling, play therapy, parent coaching, animal assisted therapy, and family support for children and families in Aledo, Texas and surrounding Parker County, Tarrant County and Hood County, plus secure teletherapy for families anywhere in Texas.
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Play Therapy: A developmentally appropriate approach for children ages 3 to 10 that uses play, the natural language of childhood, to help kids process emotions, build coping skills, and improve behavior.
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Parent Coaching and Filial Therapy: An evidence-based model that teaches parents how to use play therapy techniques at home to strengthen bonds, improve communication, and reduce power struggles.
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Animal Assisted Therapy: Sessions supported by two beloved therapy dogs, Loretta and Goose, who help children feel calm, comfortable, and safe while working through hard emotions.
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Teen Counseling: Individual counseling and family therapy customized for teenagers and the people who love them, combining talk therapy with art, mindfulness, and animal assisted techniques.
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Teletherapy: Secure online therapy for children and teens across Texas for families who need flexibility or live outside the Aledo area.
WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Play therapy allows children to express emotions through play, which is their natural form of communication. It helps kids explore feelings, build problem-solving skills, improve behavior, and process anxiety or trauma in a safe, age-appropriate way. Partnering with a Registered Play Therapist means a child builds a relationship with an expert trained specifically in child development, not simply an adult therapist who happens to see children. Learn more about how play therapy sessions work and who they help most.
HOW DOES PARENT COACHING SUPPORT THE WHOLE FAMILY?
Parent coaching and filial therapy teaches parents how to use play therapy techniques at home, turning the parent-child relationship itself into a tool for growth, healing, and positive change. Many families combine parent coaching with their child's individual play therapy sessions for faster, longer-lasting results.
HOW DOES ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY HELP KIDS FEEL SAFE?
Many children report feeling more comfortable, calm, and positive when a helping animal is present. This practice's two therapy dogs, Loretta and Goose, make it easier for kids and teens to open up during animal assisted therapy sessions, and families with allergies or fears are always accommodated.
DOES THIS PRACTICE WORK WITH TEENAGERS TOO?
Yes. Teen counseling is customized for tweens and teenagers and the people who love them, combining individual counseling with monthly family sessions, because communication between parents and teens is key to lasting change.
FAQs
Ready to Support Your Child’s Emotional Wellbeing?
Your child deserves a safe, nurturing space to explore their feelings and grow. Whether you’re noticing anxiety, school stress, behavior changes, or emotional challenges, help is available.
I’d be honored to support your child or teen through compassionate, developmentally informed therapy.
Ready to get started? Request an appointment today or call 817-229-7900 to speak with an experienced, trusted mental health professional serving Aledo, Texas and the surrounding 76086 and 76087 communities.