Thanks to The Center for Early Childhood Connections (CECC), for sponsoring {510} Families. The CECC offers mental health and educational support services for children 0- 8 and their families.
Caring for young children can be stressful! One antidote to stress is connection. Support groups for parents can provide a way to connect with others who have similar experiences.
At the CECC, families can work with professionals to expand their toolboxes as their children grow up. The therapists and other support staff pride themselves on working collaboratively to build relationships, honor family culture, and support the well-being of their clients.
You can meet with the CECC team in their comfortable offices in Albany, via telehealth, or at your child’s home or school. They are also available to travel to clients in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.Â
4 ways families work with the Center for Early Childhood Connections
1. Group Support and Training
Some of the groups the CECC offers are:
- Preschool social skills group
- Infant-parent groups
- Parenting groups
- Family childcare director groups
- Postpartum support groups
- Infant-toddler development classes
- Co-parenting & relationship workshops
Check for current and upcoming classes here.
2. Parent Therapy
The act of raising children can sometimes bring up painful reminders of our own childhood experiences. Working through these feelings with a therapist can make parenting less stressful and foster closer bonds with your child. The CECC’s clinicians honor diverse family structures and have experience and training with many common parenting stressors such as introducing new siblings, adopting a new baby, trauma, loss, and divorce.Â
3. Child and Dyadic Therapy
Therapy where the parent and child are seen together is also called Dyadic Therapy or Child-Parent Psychotherapy and is very effective for helping young children. Through a combination of child-centered play therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and attachment-focused interventions, therapists help families navigate challenges. They provide a safe and nurturing space for parents and children to explore their feelings, enhance communication, and build a stronger bond. Children over the age of 6 can also be seen independently for play therapy when appropriate. Â
4. Inclusive School Support
The CECC supports families and schools to better understand children’s needs and plan for their success in the classroom environment. They provide consultation, child evaluation, behavior plan development, and more.
Would my child benefit from an evaluation?
Guiding questions from CECC
If you have a concern about your child’s behavior or suspect that they might need additional support, we first want to say: that is okay. Many children and families experience challenges and could use a helping hand. You don’t have to do it alone! We encourage you to consider the following questions about your child’s behavior to help you decide whether to seek a professional evaluation.
Are your child’s challenges impacting their…
Relationships
Are they seeking attention from you and other people in ways that seem typical for their age? Are they showing that they love and want to be close with you and the other important people in your family? Are they playing with other children how you would expect?
Emotions
Do they show a range of emotions, like happiness, sadness, and frustration? Are they able to calm down in a few minutes with your help when they are upset?
Development and learning
Are they learning new skills in areas such as moving, talking and understanding ideas? Do they seem interested in exploring the world around them? If they are in school, do they seem to be doing pretty well?
Reach out to the Center for Early Childhood Connections for a free initial consultation appointment by filling out an online form, calling 510-438-1996, or emailing hello@thececc.org.
Thanks to the Center for Early Childhood Connections for being a sponsor of {510} Families. It is their mission to provide relationship-focused, culturally attuned, and collaborative educational, mental health and wellness supports starting from pregnancy through age 8 for young children and those who care for them.
