Tips & Exercises
Practical, evidence-based tools to help children and teens manage big emotions, build resilience, and thrive — curated by our clinical experts and trusted national partners.
Calming Exercises for Children & Families
There are times when we all feel stressed or anxious — children included. Children look to their parents and caregivers to provide calm, structure, and support. Start here with guided exercises your whole family can practice together.
Young Children: Building Safe Foundations
The earliest years are when the brain is most malleable. Simple, consistent routines, warm interactions, and playful connection build the relational foundation that buffers against stress and promotes healthy development.
Practical, printable guides for parents and caregivers grounded in trauma-informed care and the HOPE framework.
View Tip Sheets →Short video guides helping parents understand what's normal at each developmental stage and how to respond with empathy.
Watch Videos →Expert guidance on helping young children navigate tantrums, frustration, and overwhelm with empathy and structure.
Read Article →How young children react to traumatic events and practical suggestions for how parents and caregivers can help.
Explore Resources →Strategies for managing separation anxiety in young children — at school drop-off, bedtime, and beyond.
Read Article →If your child is under 6 and facing challenges, our Child First program strengthens the parent-child relationship through home-based care.
Learn About Child First →School Age: Building Coping Skills
School-age children are developing emotional vocabulary and learning to manage bigger feelings. This is the ideal time to teach concrete coping strategies — deep breathing, mindfulness, creative expression, and physical movement.
Our evidence-based program teaches children ages 6–11 to stop, think, and choose better responses — with measurable brain changes in just 13 weeks.
Learn About SNAP →How to help children face anxiety rather than avoid it — building long-term resilience instead of short-term relief.
Read Article →Children learn by watching adults. How to demonstrate mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive self-talk so your child picks up healthy habits.
Read Article →Teaching children personal safety skills — how to recognize, resist, and report unsafe situations and abuse.
Learn About KidSafe →The NCTSN's parent-focused app and resource for helping children cope with disasters, trauma, and everyday stress.
Explore Resources →Understand Adverse Childhood Experiences — what they are, how they affect children, and what you can do about them.
Explore the Toolkit →Teens: Navigating Complexity
Adolescence brings new pressures — social media, academic stress, identity formation, and changing relationships. Teens need both autonomy and connection, with adults who listen without judgment and offer practical strategies for managing stress and emotions.
Interactive skills-building content for teens and families — practical mental health habits you can practice together, no matter the age.
Explore Skills →Expert strategies for helping anxious teens without reinforcing avoidance — including how to model calm and express realistic confidence.
Read Article →If your teen is struggling at school, our school-based therapists provide support right where they need it — in their learning environment.
Learn More →A comprehensive parent guide to childhood traumatic stress — what it is, the best treatments, and what parents can do at home and at school.
Read the Guide →Teaching teens to recognize and reframe negative self-talk — a core cognitive behavioral skill for managing anxiety and depression.
Read Article →When your teen needs more than tips — our outpatient therapy addresses anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and behavioral challenges.
Find Support →Parents & Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself
You can't pour from an empty cup. These resources help parents and caregivers manage their own stress, model healthy coping, and build the resilience needed to show up for the children in their lives.
The cornerstone of our approach — a practical guide for building safe, nurturing relationships grounded in HOPE and trauma-informed care.
Explore AWOB →Research shows anxiety runs in families — but it's not just genetics. How your own stress management shapes your child's emotional world.
Read Article →Strategies for parents coping with community-wide traumatic events — and guidance on supporting children through collective stress.
View Resources →Free and low-cost online courses on child abuse prevention, trauma-informed parenting, and supporting children's mental health.
Start Learning →Using mindfulness techniques to take stress and anxiety out of raising kids — practical, everyday strategies that work.
Read Article →Understand the science behind ACEs and positive childhood experiences — and learn how HOPE changes the trajectory of a child's life.
Learn About HOPE →World-Class Resources
We've curated the best resources from leading national organizations in children's mental health. These trusted partners share our commitment to evidence-based care.
The leading independent nonprofit in children's mental health — with hundreds of free articles, guides, and expert resources for families.
Family Resource Center →The National Child Traumatic Stress Network — the nation's preeminent resource for child trauma education, research, and family support. CFCC is a proud member organization.
Resources for Families →The Tufts Medical Center research center behind the HOPE framework — with free resources, trainings, and tools for promoting positive childhood experiences.
Explore HOPE Resources →The American Academy of Pediatrics' parent resource — trusted guidance on child health, development, behavior, and emotional well-being from pediatric experts.
Visit HealthyChildren →The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a national helpline, treatment locator, and family resources for mental health and substance use.
Find Help →Dedicated to the healthy development of infants and toddlers — with parenting resources, policy insights, and evidence-based tools for the earliest years of life.
Explore Resources →Need personalized support? These national resources are a great starting point, but if your child or family needs direct help, Center for Child Counseling is here. We provide counseling, therapy, and family support across Palm Beach County — at our centers, in schools, in homes, and through our Mobile HOPE Unit.
Request an Appointment →Every Child Deserves to Feel Safe & Supported
Whether you're looking for calming exercises, seeking professional support, or simply trying to understand what your child is going through — we're here to help.