Ardy Woodward, LCSW
Child Therapy and Parent Support in St. Louis
Helping your child feel safe, understood, and strong enough to work through what's hard, so your whole family can breathe a little easier
You love your child more than anything. But lately, home feels like walking on eggshells. The meltdowns come out of nowhere. Bedtime is a battle. The calls from school keep coming. Maybe your child has lost someone they love, or lived through something no child should have to, and you can see it showing up in their behavior every single day. You've tried the charts, the consequences, the deep breaths. Nothing seems to stick.
You're Not Failing. You're Exhausted.
Most of the parents I meet are worn out, worried, and wondering if they're doing enough. You're managing big feelings while trying to protect your other kids, hold your relationship together, and still show up for work. Maybe you've asked yourself whether this is just a phase, whether therapy will really make a difference, or what people will think if your child needs help.
Here's what I want you to know:
Big behaviors are not a sign that something is wrong with your child, or with you. Behavior is communication. Your child is telling you they need more support, and you're listening. That's exactly what a great parent does.
How Play Therapy Helps Kids with Big Behaviors, Grief, and Trauma
Kids don't heal by talking it out like adults do. Play is their first language. In the playroom, your child gets a space where they feel safe, accepted, and in control of how they play and what they choose. That sense of safety is what lets them start working through the feelings driving their behavior.
I love connecting with kids around what they're passionate about and helping them use their own strengths to work through what makes life hard. Relationships and acceptance are healing, and children innately know what they need to heal. My job is to make room for that to happen.
And if your child is creative or artistic, we're going to get along great! I'm a big believer in the power of expressive arts. Drawing, painting, and building give kids a way to say what words can't.
Experience You Can Trust
I completed my graduate education with a focus on child development, trauma, and grief. Before joining Bud to Bloom, I worked right here in St. Louis as a crisis responder and as a child therapist in schools. I've sat with kids and families in some of their hardest moments, and I know how to help a child feel steady when everything feels like too much.
Support for You, Not Just Your Child
You know your child better than anyone, and you're the person in the best position to help them feel loved and secure. That's why parents are part of the process from the very beginning. Together, we'll figure out what's behind your child's behavior, find strategies that actually work in the hard moments, and help you feel more confident and less alone.
What families can look forward to: fewer and shorter meltdowns, a child who can name and manage their feelings, a stronger connection between you and your child, and more peace at home.
You're Taking the First Step to Helping Your Child Bloom
We know reaching out can feel overwhelming. But you don't have to figure this out alone. We're here to walk with you, listen without judgment, and help you and your child find your way forward.
Start today. The longer big behaviors and unprocessed grief go unsupported, the heavier they can feel for everyone. Your child's struggles don't define them, and you have the power to help them grow
How to Get Started
1. Reach Out
Take the first step by contacting our Client Care team. We’ll listen to your family’s needs and match you with the therapist who’s the best fit. From there, we’ll get your parent intake scheduled.
2. Your Intake Session
In this 60-minute session I like to meet with parents to give them a chance to speak frankly about their concerns. I will get to know you and your child, hear your story, and work with you to create a personalized plan for care for. This is your chance to feel heard and supported from the very beginning.
3. Begin the Journey
Your child’s therapy officially begins. Through play, connection, and support, your family will take steps toward growth, healing, and blooming into your best selves.
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