Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Helping children heal through the power of connection.

Sometimes, the most important part of helping a child feel better isn’t what we say—it’s how we show up together. When a child has experienced trauma, stress, or big disruptions early in life, they need safety and connection more than anything. Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is a powerful, evidence-based approach designed to support young children and their caregivers together.

This isn’t “talk therapy” for kids. It’s not about fixing behavior or finding the right consequence. CPP focuses on something deeper: rebuilding the sense of trust and safety that helps children feel protected, understood, and truly seen—especially after something hard has happened.

What Is Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)?

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is a relationship-based therapy for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers who have experienced trauma, stress, or relationship difficulties. Rather than treating the child alone, CPP brings caregivers and children into the therapy room together.

In CPP, we create a safe space where children and caregivers can begin to understand each other, make sense of hard experiences, and repair emotional wounds through their relationship. It’s based on decades of research showing that children heal best within secure, loving connections.

CPP sessions are warm, playful, and grounded in the belief that every caregiver has the power to be a healing presence for their child—even in the face of pain, confusion, or past mistakes.

Why CPP Matters

When something scary or overwhelming happens in a child’s life, it can shake their sense of the world as safe. Traumatic experiences—like witnessing violence, losing a loved one, being separated from a caregiver, or living through instability—can leave lasting emotional imprints. But the good news is: healing is possible, and it starts in relationship.

Young children may not have the words to explain what they feel, but they show us in other ways—tantrums, clinginess, sleep problems, withdrawal, or regression. These are often not signs of “bad behavior,” but signs of stress or fear trying to find a way out.

CPP helps children and caregivers:

  • Feel safer and more connected.

  • Understand and manage big feelings.

  • Make sense of difficult experiences.

  • Strengthen attachment and trust.

  • Build healthy ways of relating, repairing, and regulating together.

A blue stone with the word "Hope" written on it, placed on a white surface.

“Trauma is not destiny. When a child and parent can make sense of frightening experiences together, healing becomes possible.”
— Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD

Is CPP Right for You and Your Child?

You don’t have to have all the answers—or a perfect parenting record—for CPP to help. You just have to be willing to show up and explore what healing can look like together.

Child-Parent Psychotherapy is designed for:

  • Children ages birth through 6 years old.

  • Children who have experienced trauma, including domestic violence, abuse, loss, neglect, or medical trauma.

  • Families going through separation, divorce, or custody changes.

  • Caregivers who have experienced trauma themselves and want to stop patterns from being passed on.

  • Children showing behavioral, emotional, or social difficulties, even if no specific trauma is known.

Child-Parent Psychotherapy is helpful when:

  • A parent and child struggle to bond or feel emotionally connected.

  • There’s tension, yelling, or miscommunication at home.

  • A child seems overly anxious, fearful, aggressive, or emotionally shut down.

  • You’re worried your child’s development has been impacted by early stress.

What Happens in a CPP Session?

A young girl with blonde hair wearing a pink and white striped shirt kneeling on a wooden deck, holding a sphere-shaped toy with black and white stripes in her right hand, and with a stuffed doll and a white teapot with a snowman's face in front of her.

CONNECT —>  REFLECT  —>  REPAIR

Each CPP session includes both the child and their caregiver. Sessions are guided by a trained therapist and may involve play, talking, storytelling, and shared reflection. You don’t need to know what to say or do—your therapist will help guide the process in a way that feels safe and supportive.

Some elements of CPP include:

  • Play and storytelling to help the child express feelings and make sense of past events.

  • Support for the caregiver to understand the child’s behavior and emotional needs.

  • Helping the caregiver and child talk about and process trauma, when appropriate.

  • Repairing attachment ruptures by exploring miscommunications and rebuilding trust.

  • Creating a shared narrative, so the child doesn’t feel alone in their experience.

Everything happens at the child’s pace. The goal is never to force a conversation or revisit trauma too soon, but to slowly build emotional safety over time.

How Long Does CPP Take?

CPP is not a quick fix. Healing takes time—especially when trust has been shaken. A full course of CPP typically lasts at least 20–30 sessions and may go longer depending on the family’s needs.

But even in the early weeks, many parents say they begin to:

  • See their child more clearly.

  • Feel calmer and more confident.

  • Experience more warmth, closeness, and connection.

  • Understand behaviors in a new, more compassionate light.

Small shifts can lead to big change when connection becomes the center.

Is Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Right for Your Family?

If your child has been through something hard—or if your relationship with them just doesn’t feel like it “should”—you’re not alone. Child-Parent Psychotherapy may be a good fit if you’re looking for:

  • A trauma-informed approach that focuses on healing, not just behavior.

  • A relationship-based method where you and your child heal together.

  • A gentle, developmentally appropriate therapy designed for young children.

  • Support that helps you understand your child, not feel blamed for their behavior.

You don’t have to have all the right words. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to be willing to take the first step.

Benefits of Child-Parenting Psychotherapy (CPP)

Families who participate in CPP often experience:

  • Improved child behavior and emotion regulation.

  • Reduced aggression, anxiety, or withdrawal in children.

  • Stronger, more secure attachment between child and caregiver.

  • Better communication and connection at home.

  • Healing from generational trauma, especially when caregivers also carry painful histories.

Perhaps most importantly, CPP helps children develop the core belief that even after something scary or painful happens, they are not alone—and their world can feel safe again.

  • The Road Back to Calm: Overcoming Fear After the Crash

    After a serious car accident, 3-year-old Ava became terrified of riding in cars and started clinging to her mother at all times. In Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Ava and her mom were able to talk about the accident in a way that felt safe, with her mom offering reassurance and understanding. As they made sense of the fear together, Ava began to feel more secure and was eventually able to enjoy everyday routines again without overwhelming anxiety.

  • From Fear to Safety: Reclaiming Comfort After Medical Trauma

    After multiple hospitalizations, 3-year-old Jordan became withdrawn and panicked around service providers, bright lights, unfamiliar noises, and doctor visits. In CPP, his father learned to recognize Jordan’s fear responses as trauma-related and to respond with calm, supportive presence. Together, they rebuilt trust and helped Jordan feel safe in his body again.

  • Holding Love and Loss: Finding Connection Through Grief

    When 5-year-old Lila’s mother died unexpectedly, Lila began acting out at school and avoiding anything that reminded her of her mom. In CPP, Lila and her grandma found a way to talk about grief, hold memories with love, and begin creating new rituals of connection. The therapy helped Lila feel safe to express her emotions and allowed her grandma to support her with greater tenderness and understanding.

  • Peace Begins at Home: Rebuilding Safety After Scary Times

    After witnessing domestic violence, 4-year-old Maya began having intense tantrums and became fearful of sleeping alone. Through CPP, Maya and her mother were able to make sense of the scary experiences together in a safe space. Over time, Maya regained her sense of safety, and her mother felt more confident and connected in supporting her daughter’s healing.

  • Restoring Trust: Healing in the Safety of His Parent's Arms

    After experiencing abuse by a trusted adult, 4-year-old Nico became aggressive and fearful of being touched—even by his parents. Through CPP, Nico and his parents worked to repair their bond, helping them respond to his trauma cues with patience, protection, and consistent love. Over time, Nico began to feel safe again, and their relationship became a powerful source of healing and resilience.

Let’s Begin Healing Together

The journey to healing doesn’t start with a diagnosis or a parenting strategy—it starts with connection. With presence. With the courage to face hard things together, and the belief that healing is possible.

If you think Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) might be right for your family, I’d be honored to support you. Reach out to book a free consultation or learn more.

Your child deserves to feel safe, seen, and securely loved—and so do you.