Expert articles on child therapy, teen mental health, parenting tips, plus media coverage and interviews featuring CCD Delaware's clinical team.
· Team Spotlight
Meet Kelly Lackey, LCSW — a Delaware child and teen therapist trained in play therapy, TraumaPlay, and EMDR. How she helps kids heal, and how to get started.
· Parenting
Not all online parenting classes are worth your time. Here's how to spot the ones built by real child therapists — skills you can use tonight, no waitlist — and what to skip.
· Parenting
Meltdowns aren't misbehavior — they're a nervous system that's hit its limit. Here's the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown, what's happening in your child's brain, and what actually helps in the moment.
· Parenting
Therapist-built parenting masterclasses, courses, and free guides you can start tonight — no waitlist, no appointment. The CCD Parent Hub, open to parents anywhere.
· Anxiety
The loving instincts that calm anxiety in the moment can quietly feed it over time. Here's what actually helps an anxious child build real, lasting courage — and the well-meaning habits to avoid.
· Child Therapy
Most children are in therapy for three to six months. Here is what a typical course looks like, what makes it shorter or longer, and how you will know it is working.
· 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.
· 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.
· Parenting
Teen emotions run fast and intense — by design. Here's how to help your 13–18-year-old build real emotional intelligence, with practical, neuro-affirming strategies that actually work.
· Parenting
The tween years bring bigger feelings and fewer words for them. Here's how to build your 9–12-year-old's emotional intelligence — with practical, neuro-affirming strategies that actually work.
· autism
Autism and ADHD overlap more than most parents realize — and a child can have both. Here's how to tell them apart, and what actually helps your child thrive.
· adhd
When your child has ADHD, your own undiagnosed ADHD can make parenting feel impossible. Here's why — plus practical systems that help and when to get evaluated.
· parenting
From tantrums to teens: 10 of the most common parenting struggles, a practical tip for each, and where to find in-depth help — free, for any parent, anywhere.
· 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.
· teens
Teen dating violence is more common than we think — and it doesn't wait for adulthood. Learn the warning signs, how to talk with your teen, and where to get help in Delaware.
· teens
Why do smart teens make risky choices? Learn what's happening in the teen brain, how to stay connected, and when it's time to get support in Delaware.
· 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.
· Child Development
Learn the early warning signs of autism in toddlers ages 12-36 months. Understand developmental red flags, when to seek evaluation, and next steps for your child's assessment and support.
· 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.
· Mental Health
Unsure about therapy? Learn how adult therapy can improve your mental health, relationships, and quality of life. Explore common concerns and discover if therapy is right for you.
· Parenting Tips
Learn how to foster genuine self-esteem in your child through unconditional acceptance, mastery experiences, and teaching resilience. Discover practical strategies from child development experts.
· Child Therapy
Discover how Brave Hearts, an 8-week group therapy program, helps children ages 9-12 build confidence, develop coping skills, and master emotional regulation in a supportive peer environment.
· Parenting
Learn evidence-based strategies to boost your child's confidence and self-esteem. Expert tips from child therapists on confidence building activities for kids of all ages.
· Mental Health
Learn how ADHD and anxiety co-occur in children, why they're often misdiagnosed, and evidence-based treatment approaches for managing both conditions together.
· Parenting
Learn what play therapy, EMDR, trauma therapy, teen therapy, school-based therapy, medication management, and family support can look like at The Center for Child Development in Delaware.
· parenting
A comprehensive guide for Lower Delaware parents exploring child therapy options in Dover, Georgetown, Rehoboth, Seaford, and surrounding Sussex County areas — from school-based services to in-office and telehealth care.
· parenting
Your child just received an ADHD diagnosis. Here is a comprehensive guide for Delaware parents covering what to do first, how to build a support team, navigate school accommodations, find the right therapy, and create structure at home.
· Anxiety
Summer is supposed to be a break, but for many children, the end of school brings anxiety instead of relief. Learn why summer anxiety happens and evidence-based strategies to help your child thrive.
· parenting
A comprehensive guide for Newark and Bear parents exploring child therapy options — from school-based services in Christina and Colonial districts to in-office care at CCD's Newark location.
· 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.
· 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.
· parenting
A comprehensive guide for Wilmington and New Castle County parents exploring child therapy options — from school-based services in Red Clay and Christina districts to telehealth and in-office care.
· 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.
· School-Based Services
Learn how school-based mental health services work in the Appoquinimink School District, what therapy looks like during the school day, and how Middletown families can access support for their children.
· School-Based Services
How families in Sussex County can access school-based mental health services for their children. Learn about therapy options in Indian River, Seaford, and Milford school districts, bilingual services, and community resources.
· Community Resources
A comprehensive guide to children's mental health resources available to Dover families, including school-based therapy in Capital School District, community programs, crisis services, and how to access support.
· Medication Management
You've been told your child might benefit from psychiatric medication. Here are the five most common questions parents ask — and the honest, research-backed answers behind them.
· Educator Wellness
You teach emotional regulation, model resilience, and support struggling students daily. But who supports you? Why educator mental health deserves the same attention schools give to students.
· Mental Health
Discover the neuroscience behind positive affirmations and how they can boost self-esteem, build resilience, and support emotional well-being in children and teenagers.
· Parenting
Research shows that family conflict, parenting styles, and household stress directly shape your child’s emotional development. Learn the signs to watch for and practical steps to create a healthier home environment.
· Parenting Resources
Wondering what play therapy looks like for your child? Learn about the stages, techniques, and what to expect from your first session at The Center for Child Development in Newark, DE.
· Resources
A comprehensive guide to mental health services, crisis resources, community organizations, and youth programs available to families in Dover and Kent County, Delaware.
· Educator Wellness
Three out of five Delaware educators are considering leaving the profession. Teacher burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are at crisis levels. Here's what's really happening in Delaware schools — and what we're doing about it.
· Parenting Tips
Searching for a child therapist near you in Delaware? This guide answers every question parents ask — from recognizing the signs your child needs therapy to understanding what happens in sessions, what to look for in a therapist, and how to take the first step.
· 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.
· 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.
· Wellness
Many people don't realize that The Center for Child Development also serves adults. Through the Delaware Center for Counseling and Wellness (DCCW), CCD offers individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, trauma therapy, and specialized support for adults — because when the whole family heals, everyone benefits.
· 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.
· 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.
· 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 […]