The Center for Child Development(302) 292-1334

Resources: Blog & Media

Expert articles on child therapy, teen mental health, parenting tips, plus media coverage and interviews featuring CCD Delaware's clinical team.

What Does Delaware Medicaid Cover for Child Therapy?

· Parent Resources

More than most parents expect: therapy, psychiatric care, school-based sessions, and telehealth, usually with no copay. Here is what is covered, which plans CCD accepts, and how to get started.

Does My 5-Year-Old Need Therapy, or Is This Normal?

· Early Childhood

Big feelings at five are normal. Here is how to tell a rough patch from a sign your child needs support, what therapy looks like at this age, and what to try at home this week.

Practical Parenting Support When You Need It

· parenting

The CCD Family Support Hub gives parents therapist-informed guides, courses, and private tools — for families everywhere, from toddlers to teens. Launching soon; sign up to be notified.

Understanding Trauma: How Childhood Experiences Shape Your Life

· Mental Health, Trauma Recovery

Childhood trauma doesn't disappear with time. Learn how it shapes us across the lifespan, recognize its signs in yourself, and discover why healing is possible at any age—whether you're a parent seeking help for your child or an adult working through your own past.

Signs of Autism You Might Miss

· Autism Awareness

Autism doesn't always look like what we expect. Many individuals—especially girls, women, and adults—go undiagnosed for years because their autism presents differently. Let's explore the signs that often go unnoticed.

5 Signs Your Child May Need Therapy — And What to Do Next

· parenting

You know something's off. Maybe it's the way your child clings to you at drop-off, or the nightly meltdowns that now feel guaranteed. Here are five signs it might be time to reach out — and why that's an act of love, not failure.

What to Expect at Your Child's First Therapy Session

· Parent Resources

You made the call. You filled out the paperwork. And now you're sitting in the parking lot, wondering if you're doing the right thing. Here's what actually happens in that first session — no jargon, no sugarcoating.

Salud Mental Infantil: Lo Que Todo Padre Debe Saber

· Mental Health

La salud mental de su hijo es tan importante como su salud física. Aprenda a reconocer las señales, cuándo buscar ayuda, y cómo apoyar el bienestar emocional de su familia.

Mental Health Resources for Dover Families

· Resources

A comprehensive guide to mental health services, crisis resources, community organizations, and youth programs available to families in Dover and Kent County, Delaware.

Summer Transitions: Helping Kids Cope When Routines Change

· Parenting Tips

Summer break brings freedom and fun, but the loss of school-day structure can quietly affect your child's emotional well-being. Learn how to support your child through the transition and why continuing therapy during the summer months matters more than you might think.

Self-Harm in Teens: What Parents Should Know and How to Help

· Teen Mental Health

Approximately 17% of adolescents report engaging in self-harm. Learn to recognize the warning signs, understand why teens hurt themselves, and discover how to respond with compassion and get your child the help they need.

Building Emotional Intelligence in Children Ages 3-8

· Parenting

Emotional intelligence is not something children are born with — it is something they learn. Discover five research-backed strategies to help your child recognize, understand, and manage their emotions during the critical years between ages three and eight.

How to Talk to Your Child About Starting Therapy for the First Time

· Parenting

Your child's therapist appointment is coming up, but how do you actually tell them? This guide walks parents through age-appropriate ways to introduce therapy — from toddlers to teens — with sample scripts, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for making that first session feel safe.

Fidget Toys: What Works and When You Need More

· Child Development

Fidget toys have become popular tools for helping both children and adults manage focus, reduce stress, and regulate emotions. These small, handheld devices—ranging from spinners and cubes to squishy stress balls and textured rings—provide tactile, auditory, or visual stimulation that can support self-regulation. And yes, the research backs this up. Studies show that fidgeting can […]

Teen Anger: What Parents Can Do to Keep Home Safe and Calm

· Teen Mental Health

Teenagers get angry. There’s nothing unusual about it. Their brains are still catching up, especially the parts that help them pause before reacting. Mix in puberty hormones, school headaches, friend drama, and the urge to do things their own way, and it makes perfect sense they’re cranky sometimes. Rolling eyes, sharp words, or a slammed […]

Why Your Child Melts Down Over Small Things

· Wellness

When Your Child’s Meltdown Isn’t Really About the Socks Tuesday morning. It’s almost 7:45. Your eight-year-old is on the floor in tears. The problem? Socks. You’ve tried every pair in the drawer, but nothing feels right. The minutes slip by, and the stress builds — you need to get out the door for work, […]

Black Girls Mental Health Support: Signs & Steps to Help

· Wellness

Over the past decade, suicide attempts among Black girls have increased sharply, often going unnoticed until a crisis emerges. Many families and schools don’t realize the problem until it’s urgent. The signs are usually subtle and easy to miss. This article looks at what adults can do right now to help, focusing on specific steps […]

Is Therapy Helping Your Child? How We Track Real Progress

· Child Therapy

How to Know if Therapy Is Helping Your Child Many parents find it hard to know if therapy is really helping. When your child comes home from a session and you ask how it went, they might shrug or say, “Fine.” You continue to pay for weekly appointments and start to wonder if it’s making […]

Psychiatric Prescriber in Newark, DE | Child & Adult Mental Health | CCD

· Team Spotlight

Across Delaware, many families are facing the same challenge: finding a psychiatric provider with open appointments. No matter if you live in Newark, Wilmington, Bear, Middletown, or anywhere in New Castle County, the struggle is familiar. Families looking for help—whether for a child with anxiety, a teen dealing with depression, or an adult who needs […]

Early Detection, Early Hope: How Delaware Schools Are Preventing Mental Health Crises

· School Support

Delaware’s students are facing a mental health crisis. Schools notice the warning signs every day, but support often comes only after a crisis happens. We need a new approach that steps in earlier to protect every child’s well-being. Across Delaware, schools are facing a growing challenge. Students are struggling with mental health concerns at younger […]