Gulf Grove Therapy  |  5009 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL 33603  |  (727) 644-9414

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Children’s Therapy in Tampa, FL | Gulf Grove Therapy

Gulf Grove Therapy · Tampa, FL

Children's Therapy in Tampa, FL

At Gulf Grove Therapy, we offer compassionate child therapy for families in Tampa, supporting children through anxiety, big emotions, trauma, family transitions, and the unique challenges of serious illness. We meet children where they are, and we work closely with the adults who love them.

In-person is highly recommended for children under 12. For older children and teens, we may offer in-person or telehealth based on fit and clinical needs.
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Children's therapy in Tampa

What Children's Therapy in Tampa Can Help With

Every child is different. Child therapy at Gulf Grove Therapy is tailored to your child's age, temperament, and needs. Below are some of the areas we commonly support, offered as possibilities, not guarantees.

Anxiety, worry, and stress including persistent worry, school anxiety, separation anxiety, and difficulty managing fear
Emotional regulation and coping skills for big emotions, meltdowns, and difficulty naming or managing feelings
Behavioral concerns and adjustment such as changes in behavior at home or school, or difficulty with transitions
Trauma and big life transitions including divorce, loss, moving, medical experiences, or other significant disruptions
Caregiver support and family communication working alongside parents with practical tools for home
Chronic illness and medical stress including support for children and families navigating serious diagnoses

How we work

Therapeutic Approaches for Children

Katrina draws on a range of evidence-based methods, choosing what fits each child's age and situation.

Play Therapy

Natural and age-appropriate. Play is how young children process and express what words cannot reach.

CBT for Kids

Helps children recognize unhelpful thoughts and build healthier patterns. Most effective ages 8 and up.

Trauma-Focused Care

TF-CBT for children ages 5 to 17 working through trauma, loss, or significant life disruption.

Parent-Child Work

Strengthening the caregiver relationship, often one of the most powerful tools available.

Somatic Support

Helping children connect with and regulate their nervous systems, especially during illness or medical stress.

DBT Skills

Concrete tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication for children with intense feelings.

Your Tampa child therapist

Meet Katrina

K

Katrina Miller, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker · License #SW22605
Tampa therapist specializing in anxiety, grief, oncology support and family therapy

Katrina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a warm, trauma-informed approach to working with children and families in Tampa. She specializes in supporting children navigating anxiety, grief, chronic illness, and the emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis, alongside the caregivers and families who love them. Katrina creates a space where children feel genuinely safe to be exactly who they are.

Anxiety Grief Oncology Support Family Therapy Child Therapy Trauma-Informed Care
Learn more about Katrina

Is therapy right for my child?

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Support

You know your child best. If something has felt off, trust that instinct. Here are some signs families in Tampa often describe when they reach out:

Persistent sadness, worry, or irritability that is not lifting
Sudden changes in behavior, sleep, or appetite
Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed
Stomachaches or headaches with no clear medical cause
Regression such as bedwetting or thumb-sucking after a stressful event
Difficulty at school with focus, friendships, or refusal to attend
Processing a divorce, loss, or major family transition
Navigating a medical diagnosis, treatment, or hospital experiences

Specialty area

Pediatric Oncology Therapy Support (Tampa)

A cancer diagnosis affects far more than the body. Children navigating treatment, remission, or survivorship face fear, uncertainty, disrupted routines, and questions about their future. Katrina has specialized training in pediatric oncology support and works alongside families at every stage of the journey.

Therapy does not treat cancer or guarantee any medical outcomes. What we offer is a steady, supportive space to help children and families build coping skills, process difficult emotions, and find footing during one of life's hardest seasons.

40%

depression rates among childhood cancer survivors vs. 9.6% national average

75%

of children with cancer experience PTSD symptoms during or after treatment

50%+

of oncology patients experience psychiatric distress affecting care

Support for the Child

Coping with treatment stress and medical procedures
Fear and anxiety around appointments or hospitalizations
Emotional regulation and expressing difficult feelings
Sleep difficulties and stress during active treatment
Identity, social changes, and returning to school or activities
Support during remission, survivorship, or end-of-life transitions

Support for Caregivers

Navigating caregiver stress and grief alongside your child
Supporting siblings through adjustment and fear
Communication strategies for talking with your child about illness
Managing the emotional weight of treatment and uncertainty

Getting started

How Child Therapy at Gulf Grove Works

Starting therapy for your child does not have to feel overwhelming. Here is what to expect when you reach out to Gulf Grove Therapy in Tampa.

1

Free Consultation Call

A brief, no-pressure call to hear what is going on with your child and answer your questions. We will share a little about our approach and make sure it feels like a good fit for your family.

2

First Session

Your child meets Katrina. Sessions are warm, age-appropriate, and unhurried. We use play, creative tools, and conversation to help your child feel safe and heard.

3

Goal Setting

Together, we identify what we are working toward in language that makes sense for your family. Goals are revisited and adjusted as your child grows.

4

Ongoing Sessions

Regular sessions build the relationship and skills that create real change. You will receive check-ins and practical guidance so progress continues at home too.

In-person vs. telehealth: In-person therapy is highly recommended for children under 12. Body language, play, and relational cues are harder to read through a screen. For older children and teens, we may offer either in-person or telehealth based on clinical fit and family needs.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer therapy for children in Tampa?
Yes. Gulf Grove Therapy offers child therapy in Tampa with Katrina Miller, LCSW. Katrina works with children across a range of ages using evidence-based, developmentally attuned approaches tailored to each child's needs.
Is in-person therapy recommended for kids under 12?
Yes. In-person is highly recommended for children under 12. Young children communicate through movement, play, and body language as much as words. These cues are much easier to read and respond to in person, and the physical environment of a therapy room supports the sense of safety that makes this work possible.
Do you offer telehealth for children?
For older children and teens, telehealth may be an option depending on clinical fit and the child's needs. We do not offer telehealth as a default for younger children, as in-person is typically more effective for that age group. We are happy to talk through what is most appropriate during our free consultation call.
How do you decide between in-person and telehealth?
For children under 12, we strongly recommend in-person therapy. For older children and teens, the decision is made collaboratively, considering the child's age, presenting concerns, comfort with technology, and family logistics. We will talk through the options with you during our first conversation.
Can therapy help children cope with pediatric cancer treatment stress?
Therapy can offer meaningful support for children navigating the emotional and psychological weight of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. This may include working through fear and anxiety around medical appointments, building coping strategies for stress and uncertainty, processing grief or identity changes, and improving sleep and emotional regulation. Therapy is not a medical treatment and does not affect cancer outcomes, but it can be a valuable part of a child's overall care and wellbeing.
How do you support caregivers during pediatric oncology?
We recognize that caregivers carry enormous weight when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Katrina offers caregiver support as part of her pediatric oncology work, including strategies for managing your own stress, tools for talking with your child about illness, guidance for supporting siblings, and space to process the emotional reality of what your family is going through.
What should we expect at the first appointment?
Your first session at Gulf Grove Therapy in Tampa will be warm and unhurried. Katrina takes time to get to know your child and what they are experiencing. Sessions are age-appropriate. For younger children this may involve play and creative tools; for older children and teens it may look more like a conversation. There is no pressure to share everything right away.
Do you work with siblings and family adjustment?
Yes. When one child in a family is struggling, whether from a medical diagnosis, trauma, or a major transition, siblings and other family members are often affected too. Katrina can offer sibling support, parent guidance, and family communication tools as part of a broader approach to care.
Do you offer support for both child and caregiver needs?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are a vital part of their child's progress. Depending on the situation, this may look like regular check-ins, parent guidance sessions, or caregiver-focused support alongside your child's individual therapy. We work collaboratively with families, not just with the child in isolation.
Is there a waitlist, or how soon can we start?
Availability varies. We encourage you to book a free consultation as early as possible so we can share current scheduling information. You can book directly through our online scheduler and we will be in touch promptly.

Ready to take the first step?

Book a Free Consultation

We would love to connect with your family. Book a free consultation with Katrina directly through our online scheduler — no paperwork, no pressure, just a conversation.

Free 15-Minute Consultation

A brief, no-pressure call to hear what is going on, share a little about how we work, and see if Gulf Grove Therapy is the right fit for your child and family.

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