Stronger connection for your child and your whole family
Behavioral therapy for children 6 and under, led by a licensed clinical psychologist, with parents involved every step of the way.
What is parent-child therapy, exactly?
Parent-child therapy is behavioral therapy for young children, ages 6 and under, with parents as an active part of the process. It helps families work through emotions, communication, and behavior concerns, from everyday struggles like tantrums and transitions to more complex challenges.
For families searching for a family therapist near me in St. Louis, Chesterfield, and the surrounding area, Your Village offers care led by a licensed clinical psychologist. Together, you'll build a plan for your little one and learn evidence-based strategies that strengthen connection and support emotional well-being at home.
What brings families to us
Tap anything that sounds familiar. Every child and family is unique, and these are some of the reasons parents reach out for support.
Tantrums & aggression
Frequent tantrums, hitting, biting, or throwing can leave the whole family worn out. Understanding the "why" is a great first step.
Defiance
Maybe everyday requests keep turning into power struggles, and you're looking for a calmer way through them.
Separation & transitions
Drop-offs, bedtime, or moving from one activity to the next may feel really hard for your child, and for you too.
Big emotions
Intense sadness, anger, or fear can feel overwhelming for little ones. Learning to manage those feelings takes support and practice.
Anxiety & fearfulness
You might notice your child is clingy, withdrawn, or worried more often than other kids their age, and you'd love to help them feel safe.
Connection & parenting
If attachment feels strained or parenting feels harder than you expected, you don't have to figure it out on your own.
This list isn't exhaustive. If something feels off, trust that instinct and reach out.
Is parent-child therapy right for your family?
Check anything that sounds familiar. There's no wrong answer. This is just a starting point for the conversation.
Check a few boxes above to see where to go from here.
Still deciding? A few things worth knowing
- ✓Therapy starts with an intake visit focused on your concerns
- ✓Parents are highly involved throughout treatment
- ✓You'll build a plan together for your little one
- ✓Reaching out, even just to ask questions, is never a wasted step
What to expect
Your first visit is an intake where we talk through what's going on at home and what you'd like to see change. From there, we work together on a plan to best address your little one's needs.
- First visitNew patient intake
- What we reviewYour concerns & your child's needs
- Who it's forChildren 6 and under & their parents
- Type of therapyEvidence-based behavioral therapy
- Treatment planBuilt together with you
- Session length50 minutes
- Parent involvementHighly involved throughout
- In sessionsTools for emotions, behavior & connection
- Ongoing supportSpeech, OT & behavior support under one roof
Private pay rates
- New patient intake$200
- Therapy visits$175 (50 minutes)
- In-networkAetna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Carelon, Quest
Questions about scheduling or costs? Reach out and we'll talk it through together.
Why parents are part of every step
Young children learn best through the relationships closest to them, which is why you're at the center of treatment. Sessions give you practical, evidence-based strategies you can use during everyday moments at home. When those tools are used consistently, your child feels more supported, new skills stick, and your connection grows stronger along the way.
What sets Your Village apart
One team, every specialty
Speech, occupational therapy, behavior support, and more work together under one roof, so your family isn't coordinating across separate offices.
Play Village
A dedicated, non-clinical play space where kids build skills and confidence outside of a typical therapy setting.
Insurance-friendly
In-network with major carriers including UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, UMR, BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna, with private pay also available.
Plans built around your child
Every evaluation and treatment plan is shaped around your child's specific needs and your family's goals.
You're not just a client here
Your Village STL was built on community and real relationships. Families and providers work together, with your child at the center of it all. Whatever your child or family needs, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Get Started
Three simple steps to get started
Reach out
Fill out the form below and share a bit about your child and what's on your mind.
Schedule your evaluation
We'll find a time for your child's evaluation, about 2 hours, and answer any questions about pricing or what to expect.
Begin sessions and parent training
Start one-on-one sessions and hands-on parent training, with frequency based on your child's evaluation and goals.
Meet your behavior analyst
Stephanie Merker
Stephanie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Missouri, with a master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. Over more than 20 years in the field, she has worked in homes, clinics, and schools, and she's excited to return to her true passion: early intervention with young children of all abilities.
Her approach uses Natural Environment Teaching (NET), which weaves learning into a child's everyday surroundings so new skills are meaningful and carry over into daily life. She believes families are central to the process, and that teaching parents to use ABA strategies leads to more successful outcomes. Stephanie lives in St. Louis with her husband and two kids, and in her free time she loves traveling, reading, and volunteering at her kids' schools.
Frequently asked questions
We're in-network with Aetna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Quest Behavioral Health. Private pay is $200 for the new patient intake and $175 for each 50-minute therapy visit.
Parent-child therapy is designed for children 6 and under, along with their parents and caregivers.
Very involved. Parents are part of the process from start to finish, building the plan together and learning strategies to use at home between sessions.
Common concerns include tantrums, aggression, defiance, separation anxiety, trouble with transitions, fearfulness, big emotions, attachment, and parenting challenges.
The first visit is a new patient intake. We'll talk through your concerns and your child's needs, then start building a plan together.
Therapy visits are 50 minutes, giving time for both hands-on work and practical strategies you can take home.
Yes. We work with parents navigating complex diagnoses and medically complex children, helping families understand and support their child's development.
Reach out. We're happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.