Child Therapy, OCD Treatment, and Counseling for Children, Teens, and Young Adults in Highland and Milford, Michigan
Hi, I am Dana Malmquist MSW, LLMSW and I specialize in Child Centered Play Therapy and OCD Treatment for Children, teens and young adults in the Highland and Milford Michigan area. My goal is to help children, teens, and young adults express emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills through developmentally appropriate, creative, and compassionate therapy.
Parents might contact me because they’ve noticed their child struggling with anxiety, OCD, anger, sadness, low self-esteem, or behavior issues at home or school. Teens and young adults may also experience stress, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, social or academic pressures, and uncertainty about the future and they need a safe, supportive space to process those emotions.
What Is Child-Centered Play Therapy?
In child-centered play therapy, play becomes the language children use to communicate. Through toys, art, and imaginative activities, children can safely explore their feelings, process difficult experiences, and grow emotionally. I follow the child’s lead, creating a space where they feel understood, accepted, and empowered — the foundation for healing and growth.
Play therapy helps children who are experiencing anxiety, worry, or fears. It can also help with anger, grief, trauma, or family transitions.
Specialized Treatment for OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
I have training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, teens, and young adults. OCD can show up as intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, excessive checking, contamination fears, or need for certainty and reassurance.
Through ERP therapy in Highland and Milford, Michigan, I help clients gradually face their fears in a safe, structured way while resisting compulsions. This evidence-based approach reduces the power of OCD over time, helping children and young adults reclaim their lives from anxiety and obsessive thinking.
If your child or teen is struggling with repetitive worries, rituals, or behaviors that interfere with daily life, ERP can provide lasting relief and freedom.
Support for Teens and Young Adults
As children grow into adolescence and young adulthood, their challenges and needs evolve. For teens and young adults, I provide a blend of talk therapy, creative interventions, and evidence-based strategies including ERP to help them manage:
- Anxiety, depression, or stress
- OCD, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors
- Peer, family, or relationship conflicts
- Identity, self-worth, and confidence concerns
- Life transitions, academic pressures, or uncertainty about the future
My approach helps teens and young adults strengthen self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience, empowering them to thrive both now and in the future. If you’re looking for teen counseling or OCD treatment in Highland, Michigan or nearby areas, I offer compassionate support tailored to the unique needs of adolescents and young adults.
For families or young adults who wish to include faith-based counseling, I can incorporate prayer, biblical reflection, and spiritual principles in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.
My Background and Training
I hold a Master’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University and am certified in school social work. My background as an elementary school social worker gave me firsthand experience supporting children with IEPs, collaborating with educators, and advocating for students in both academic and emotional settings. I’ve completed specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, equipping me to provide evidence-based treatment for children and young adults struggling with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
If you’re a parent and your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, OCD, behavior issues, or emotional regulation, therapy can help them express their feelings, build self-confidence, and strengthen family relationships. For young adults, therapy can help you learn to cope with uncertainty and change, navigate relationship dynamics, break free from intrusive thoughts or compulsive patterns, and learn skills that will be beneficial throughout your adult life.
I’d be honored to support you or your family on the path toward healing and connection.