When Your Child’s Emotions Take Over the Whole Day

I specialize in helping families of children ages 2–7 move toward more connection, confidence, and moments of joy.

✔ Virtual therapy across Indiana

✔ In-person or virtual in Bloomington, IN

✔ Services in English or Russian

See If We’re a Good Fit

You love your child, of course you do! But you’re exhausted, worried, and something needs to change.

If parenting books, podcasts, or classes were enough, you wouldn’t be here scrolling through therapy websites. What you’re dealing with is beyond “typical challenges” - and you know you need high quality professional help for your child.

So far, you’ve been told:  “They’ll grow out of it.”  “Your child is too young for therapy.” “This is normal.” “Give it time.”

But things have not gotten better. You’ve tried everything you know, but it feels like your child’s behaviors are getting bigger, louder, and harder to manage. You know that dreadful feeling “Here we go again!” when you are bracing yourself for another emotional explosion… things need to change and for the better.

See How I Can Help
tired of child tantrums, not listening, yelling, and need help

If you’re here, your child might be…

Hurting other children or adults at home and school

Getting sent home early and is at risk of expulsion

Having tantrums that last forever

Destroying rooms, throwing/breaking items, becoming unsafe

Yelling things like “I hate you!” or “You’re the worst mom ever!”

Ignoring directions and escalating when told “no” 

Struggling so much in public that you avoid restaurants, parks, and stores - leaving you isolated

And because of this, you might be…

Worried about losing your job due to taking frequent time off to pick up your child early from school

Worried that your child could be expelled from their school

Feeling triggered and overwhelmed by your child’s behavior

Noticing the same negative cycles between yourself and your child - and wanting to create new, healthier patterns

Wondering why your child’s emotional development seems so far behind when they’re bright in so many ways

Wanting evidence-based therapy that respects your culture, values, and your child’s unique needs

This is exactly the kind of work I do.

See How I Can Help

Why Work With Me 

You don’t need more random advice. You need a plan that works for you and your child. Parenting information online is endless - and contradictory. For example: specific praise can help some children build confidence and increase their positive behaviors. But for others, it can create people-pleasing and emotional suppression. Both are “evidence-based”… so how do you know what’s right for your child?

I specialize in working with children from birth to age seven and tailor every approach to you and your child. I combine concrete parent-child skills with deeper emotional work to support lasting change, and we practice these tools in real-life moments like car seats, stores, and restaurants. Together, we track clear signs of progress so you can see what’s working and why.

Families I work with often experience:

A more connected, loving, and joyful relationship with their child

Tantrums that become shorter, less intense, and less frequent

Better communication and cooperation and fewer explosive outbursts

A parent who feels more confident, grounded, and capable

A child who learns emotional regulation skills and is happier

A child who builds social skills and has an easier time making friends 

Parents reconnecting with their own inner wisdom and more aligned with their values when parenting

This is not quick-fix behavior management. It's a deep transformation built on trust and evidence-based care.

See How I Can Help

Because of my commitment to ongoing learning and collaboration in child therapy, I have built strong professional relationships with clinicians, professors, and other professionals in related fields. I asked several of them to share what they believe potential clients should know about working with me.

The following reflections were offered voluntarily and without compensation.

Professional Endorsements

  • "I highly recommend working with Elmira Ferris, M.S.Ed. She is deeply client-focused, maintaining a strong connection with those she works with. Her appreciation for life-long learning is evident in her approach, which utilizes evidence-based strategies and culturally responsive practices to address client needs effectively. She is incredibly attuned to people, embracing clients' humanity and whole selves in her work, and possesses an impressive ability to hold multiple perspectives while collaborating with others to work on significant issues. Overall, she is a deeply caring, bright, and compassionate professional who provides research-informed and practical strategies to a range of families."

    —Charlotte A. Agger, Ph.D.

  • “I’ve been a therapist for over 10 years and have worked with Elmira for most of those. I have absolute faith in her professionalism, appropriate boundaries, and evidence-based practices. I’ve seen her perform to high standards consistently. I could wax on about why she’s a good choice for you to consider for your family, but I think what will speak louder is that I would want her to treat my children. I trust her and her expertise.”

    —Tom Phelps LMHC, PMH-C

  • "For years I have had the privilege of witnessing Elmira's commitment to improving the lives of parents of young children. Her dedication to learning, training, and educating clients and professionals is exemplary, and I sincerely look forward to the continued positive impact she makes."

    —Brent Luebcke, Ph.D., HSPP

  • "Elmira is a compassionate, heart-centered therapist. She is intentional and reflective in every aspect of her therapeutic intervention. I would highly recommend Elmira especially for families of young children. This is where her passion and gifts shine the brightest."

    —Mandy Kinnaird MSW, LCSW, IMH-E(IV)(R)

  • "Elmira is committed to continual learning and growth! She is a talented clinician who seeks every opportunity to expand her knowledge and sharpen her skills."

    —Darlene Radcliff, LCSW, RPT-S, IMH-E

  • “From January 8 to January 12, AUCA [American University of Central Asia] held an intensive training aimed to equip psychologists in working with parents, introducing fundamental strategies, and enhancing interactions within families. Coach Elmira Ferris’s impressive knowledge and experience resonated as she adeptly engaged participants, delivering a substantial amount of accessible theoretical and practical insights. The training, marked by an exceptionally positive teaching style, fostered lively discussions where both trainer and participants shared cases, enriching the learning process. Elmira Ferris’s skills were evident in covering diverse topics, including child development, age norms, attachment formation, and factors influencing personality. The trainer's systematic presentation of complex information in a brief timeframe was particularly noteworthy. Gratitude to the organizers, the Department of Psychology at the American University of Central Asia, for this valuable opportunity and the abundance of resources provided by Elmira Ferris.”

    —Anara Asanalieva, a student of Applied Psychology Master's Program

  • “You do a fantastic job at advocating for your client's needs and supplying them with resources to get their needs met. You are very present when meeting with clients and help them feel heard.”

    —Kadie Mathews, LCSW

I’m here to help

You are already doing so much for your child. Therapy can help you build more connection and joy together and give you tools for the hard moments.

Get Started