Hillary Carrington

She’s 4 years old and running our family. I don’t even want to leave the house anymore—it’s so embarrassing when people stare at us. Nothing we’ve tried has worked, and now she’s even started hitting me. I’m afraid she’ll begin having meltdowns at school. Out of nowhere, he threw himself on the ground, screaming that the milk was gross. I tried to explain that it was the same milk, just a different brand, but he wouldn’t stop. It didn’t make any sense. Then, he threw the bowl on the floor, and everything was a mess. I was so angry and ended up yelling at him to clean it up. I could understand if this happened occasionally, but he explodes over little things several times a week. Later, he apologizes, and I believe he means it, but I still feel guilty for getting so angry. It’s exhausting. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Some children experience day-to-day life much more intensely than other children the same age. The intense emotions can easily lead to problem behaviors such as a stubborn refusal to follow directions, hitting, biting, screaming, throwing toys, and flipping over furniture. This can leave a parent feeling blindsided. Once triggered, your child’s emotions can quickly escalate from 0 to 100 in seconds. The meltdowns may happen several times a day. These behaviors often come with other challenges. For instance, your child might refuse to take a bath or brush their teeth, struggle to sit still or focus, or be a picky eater. Bedtime might be especially difficult with your child resisting sleep or being inconsolable. Many parents report that traditional parenting strategies, which work well with other children, seem to make things worse for this child. As a result, many parents feel like they’re walking on eggshells, constantly trying to prevent emotional explosions. They may avoid going out in public to avoid embarrassment. Often, parents find themselves acting in ways that don’t align with their own parenting goals, just to keep the peace. I’m here to help. I specialize in treatment aimed at improving your child’s cooperation and resilience, while also reducing the frequency and intensity of meltdowns. At the same time, my goal is to restore your effectiveness as this child’s parent. Although your family may be struggling right now, I have the experience to help make the future better. I have been providing therapy for young children for over 20 years. Parenting exceptionally sensitive and intense children doesn’t come with a manual, but these skills can be learned. In therapy, your child will develop greater tolerance for life’s challenges. Through your commitment to parent training, you will learn how to remain in control during a meltdown and at the same time reduce the likelihood of future meltdowns. Together, we can teach your child the skills they need for long-term success and happiness. I hold a degree from UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and am licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). I have completed advanced training in Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children. These therapeutic approaches were developed to address the challenges described here. I am grateful to the families who have allowed me to be part of their journey. I am committed to providing a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment where both children and parents can find healing, build courage, and experience positive change. Play Therapy Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play as a way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a natural, comfortable environment. Because children often have difficulty verbalizing complex emotions, play becomes their language, and toys become their words. Through play therapy, children can explore and process challenging emotions, learn new coping skills, and resolve conflicts in a safe and supportive space. The therapist guides this process, helping the child work through emotional or behavioral difficulties and fostering growth and healing in a way that resonates with their developmental stage. Parent Skills Training A central aspect of treatment is my work with parents. My goal is to equip you with knowledge to understand the “why” and tools, so you’ll know “how”. You’ll learn concrete strategies for responding effectively in the moment and for preventing future behavioral issues. Together, we’ll create practical steps to restore the connection and joy within your home. Important Considerations: Please note my services may not be a fit for every situation. If any of the following apply, my approach is not likely the best fit. I recommend speaking with your primary care provider for referrals: -Past or pending custody disputes -Court-ordered treatment Insurance and Therapy Costs: My practice is not in-network with any insurance providers, which means that I do not bill insurance companies directly. As a result, therapy with me is considered an out-of-pocket expense. If you wish, I can provide you with a detailed receipt (a superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to better understand what, if any, portion of the costs they may cover.