CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) – A Crestline native has “opened a new chapter” in her life by writing a children’s book set to be published this month.
Jamie Fricker, LCSW, has written “Theo goes to Therapy,” a heartwarming story about a little girl that explores the topic of mental health for kids and shows them it’s possible to overcome their fears by seeking professional help.
A subject she knows so well. A project she’s always dreamed of.
“I wrote this book not only to introduce the normalcy of therapy to children, but also to help parents, teachers, and caregivers open up the conversation about mental health,” said Fricker, a mental health clinician who lives in Harker Heights, Texas.
The book’s main character is Theo, a bright, young girl who always tries to do the right thing but tends to worry a lot. Whether she’s at home or at school, her thoughts race and her tummy tightens. She gets anxious.
When Theo finally opens up to her parents, they take her to a therapist. There she learns how to calm her mind and body through breathing exercises, creative activities, and other skills. She begins to feel stronger. And she’s happy again.
Fricker said the book’s goal is to help children understand anxiety and use therapy as a resource. “It introduces kiddos to mental health awareness by helping them recognize when they need to ask for support from parents and caregivers.”
The 28-page picture book is set to be released Aug. 27 by Pegasus Publishers, an independent publishing house in the UK. Paperback copies are available for pre-order through Pegasus and after the release date online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Fricker, the daughter of Steven and Christa Aidt of Crestline, graduated from Colonel Crawford High School in 2008 and the University of Toledo in 2012. She went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University in 2019.
She has worked as a social and emotional learning specialist in the schools and is experienced in play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR, a psychotherapy widely used to treat trauma victims and those recovering from PTSD.
In her work with children, she said she’s seen the impact of early intervention, skill building, and communication about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. “I’ve seen it rebuild relationships between children and their parents, sibling, and peers.”
Fricker said it wasn’t until 2024, however, that she found a “pocket of time” to start her manuscript. The family had just moved to Texas where Fricker’s husband, Adam, is a Major in the U.S. Army stationed at the military base in Fort Hood.
“I’ve always been a book lover, and I’ve always wanted to call myself an author,” she said. “As a mental health clinician, I genuinely want people to have the tools and capacity to experience their lives fully. Therapy is a resource that makes that possible.”
Fricker, who has two sons, Chris and Lukas, said “Theo goes to Therapy” is an easy read for parents and a good conversation-starter about mental health. “I’m very excited to just have this as a resource. “I’m just happy to have it out in the world soon.”
If you would like to preorder “Theo goes to Therapy,” follow this link: pegasuspublishers.com