Caroline Pacheco

I specialize in helping children, teens,  young adults, and families who struggle to manage their emotions by developing a variety of tools to identify and work through big feelings and behaviors. I also work with parents who are struggling with managing their children’s emotions and behaviors to promote a calm, consistent home environment where everyone feels heard and respected.

When Your Child Is Struggling and You’re Not Sure How to Help 

When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know what will actually help. Maybe emotions go from zero to ten very quickly. Your child may become overwhelmed by anxiety, get stuck in repetitive thoughts or behaviors, shut down, lash out, or have difficulty communicating what they need. As a parent, you may find yourself wondering when to step in, when to set a limit, and how to respond without making things worse.

I work with children, teens, and young adults to help them better understand what they’re feeling and build practical skills for handling difficult emotions, thoughts, and situations. I want therapy to feel like a place where kids can be themselves—not another place where they’re being told what they’re doing wrong.

My style is warm and creative. I believe there should be room for humor and fun in therapy. At the same time, our work has a purpose. We’ll identify what’s getting in the way, build on your child’s strengths, and practice skills they can use outside of my office when things get difficult.

I have comprehensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through the DBT Institute of Michigan, and DBT strongly influences the way I work. One of the things I value most about this approach is the balance between two important messages: what you’re feeling makes sense, and we can also work toward change. I help clients develop concrete skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, communicating more effectively, and making choices that move them toward the life and relationships they want.

Helping the Whole Family Speak the Same Language

Kids don’t experience their challenges in isolation, which is why working with parents is often an important part of what I do. Your child may be learning new ways to regulate emotions or communicate in therapy, but those skills become much more powerful when everyone at home understands and supports them.

I work alongside parents to help you understand what may be happening underneath your child’s behavior and respond in ways that combine empathy with clear, healthy expectations. Together, we can develop strategies for difficult moments, strengthen communication, and create more consistency at home.

I also offer focused parent coaching for parents who want support with a specific challenge. Sometimes you don’t need long-term therapy—you need a place to step out of the day-to-day struggle, understand what’s happening, learn some new tools, and make a plan for what to try next.

I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds and provide LGBTQIA+ affirming care. Creating a space where clients feel respected, understood, and comfortable being themselves is central to my work.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent six years conducting research in psychology, child development, and education. I earned my Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University in 2021 and my Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2022. That combination of research and clinical training continues to shape my approach: I want the strategies we use in therapy to be grounded in evidence while still fitting the individual child and family in front of me.