What Is Children's Therapy: Professional Counseling For Children and Adolescents
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Mental health support for children and adolescents: understanding child therapy
Where should you start when considering child therapy for your child, or wondering what exactly is child therapy? Many therapy options are available for children, from parent-child interaction therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused counseling to sand tray therapy and play therapy for children. Each form of children's counseling, or pediatric counseling, offers unique benefits, and these essential services can assist children of all ages. You can find an overview of these types of support services for your child or teen below.
What does children's therapy entail?
As with adults, there are times when children may benefit from a professional's therapeutic expertise. Children's behavioral therapists are trained in the specific developmental needs of children. Just as therapists support adults, a children's therapist works with children to help them process and cope with challenges.
Children often express emotions differently than adults, and they may not yet be able to articulate emotions effectively. Children’s therapists are trained to understand the unique needs of a child. They may have specialized training for communicating with children in ways that are available to them. Many children’s therapists are trained in more than one treatment modality and might pull from various techniques to meet your child's unique needs.
What are common reasons for considering child therapy? Mental health conditions, coping skills, and big feelings
There are many reasons why a parent or caregiver may consider children's therapy for a child. Traumatic life events such as the death of someone close to the family, major health problems, divorce, and bullying are a few reasons you may seek therapy for your child. Often, if a child is experiencing problems or exhibiting disruptive behaviors in school, a teacher or school counselor may recommend that a family seek support from a pediatric therapist.
In addition, the CDC reports that among children aged two through eight years old, 17.4% have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Over 50% of children ages three to 17 with behavioral disorders have received treatment, and nearly 80% of children with depression have received treatment. Children's therapy is a popular and often effective approach and can help remove mental health stigmas that your child may pick up later in life.
Common types of counseling for kids
Children’s therapy can take many forms depending on the therapist and the child's unique needs. Below are a few treatment options often utilized to support children, parents, and families.
Play therapy is a therapy for children that might use play, toys, and roleplay to help a child articulate and express emotions and inner thoughts. Play therapy is designed to work from a child's perspective. There are two main types of play therapy: directive play therapy and nondirective play therapy. Both types may help a child feel at ease and open up to a counselor. This type of treatment offers physical occupational therapy that can help children reach their full potential and meet goals.
The benefits of play therapy: Skills learning and processing emotions
CBT in therapy for children and adolescents
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used with children, adolescents, and adults. This type of treatment can teach an individual how to replace unhelpful thoughts with more constructive thoughts and use coping techniques to adjust behavior. It may offer children specific skills to cope with stimuli that make them uncomfortable. It may also address behavioral, social, and emotional thought processes. A CBT counselor for children may explain concepts simply so that children can understand and offer unique assignments or coping skills tailored to a younger brain.
Social skills training during child therapy
Social skills training is another counseling method that may help children with difficulty interacting with others in everyday social situations. Knowing how to maintain a conversation, make friends, or connect may come quickly for some children. Others may benefit from support. Social skills training can teach children valuable social skills that can help them make friends, navigate interpersonal relationships, and manage difficult social situations.
Children with specific mental health conditions like social anxiety may benefit from learning about social skills and relationships. However, it’s important to note that these therapies may not be beneficial for all kids, such as those with autism. Social skills training may cause some children further difficulties and stress from forced eye contact, socialization, or behaviors a young person does not want to partake in. In addition, some behavioral training programs were associated with increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals with autism.
The benefits of social skills training and therapy
Social skills training can be beneficial for children who struggle with social interactions, as it teaches practical skills like communication and conflict resolution. Working with a therapist who specializes in social skills development can help tailor the approach to each child's needs. Some therapists may incorporate role-playing or group activities to help children practice social behaviors in a supportive environment.
Trauma-focused counseling for children
Trauma-focused therapies and services for children may aim to help children who have lived through traumatic events through trauma-informed care. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can affect children of all ages, including infants as young as nine months. Children who have experienced trauma can also develop other mental health disorders later in life, like borderline personality disorder, shining a light on the importance of early treatment.
Some child therapists are specifically trained to help children process complex thoughts and heal from adverse experiences. Trauma or PTSD in children can occur from many sources, including natural disasters, loss, divorce of caregivers, witnessing or experiencing abuse, or other adverse events in childhood.
Grief counseling for children
Grief counseling can help children who may benefit from support when recovering from a loss. A child therapist can help children find a healthy way to express emotions and understand various stages of grief. Because children in specific developmental stages may understand and process death and other losses differently than adults, grief counseling can help children categorize these experiences in a way that makes sense. For example, some therapy centers offer grief resources to children, such as art therapy, sandboxes, or therapy groups with other children. These therapeutic treatments may allow children to express sadness without fear of upsetting their parents. Children might also benefit from grief counseling for dealing with the loss of a family pet.
The benefits of grief therapy: Coping skills for managing complicated feelings
Grief therapy for children provides a safe space for children to explore feelings of loss and sadness. A compassionate therapist can help children develop coping strategies tailored to their age and emotional needs. Therapists may use creative therapy techniques like drawing, storytelling, or group activities to help children process their emotions in a supportive environment.
Family counseling with children
Family therapy can offer support to children alongside the whole family. Children with behavioral concerns may hear negative feedback at home, negatively impacting self-esteem and worsening behaviors.
A therapist can work with parents to develop behavioral plans for children, positive reinforcement strategies, and compassionate care to help them most effectively manage a child's behaviors. Many family therapies are child-centered, focusing on a child's needs, emotions, and desires.
The benefits of family therapy
Group counseling or therapy for children
Group counseling may help children experiencing mood disorders or loneliness. Group therapy can allow children to interact with peers experiencing similar challenges to know they aren't alone. It may be helpful for children to overcome challenges and feel supported as part of a team. For some children, group therapy may be less intimidating than a one-on-one therapy session. Group therapy might also help children build social skills and self-esteem by allowing them to interact with other children in a healing, therapeutic context.
Speech therapy for children
Speech therapy is a common form of therapy that can help children with speech impediments, language problems, or developmental delays. Speech therapy for children is not considered a mental health service; however, it may be helpful in assisting children with their communication skills. As a result, a child may feel more confident in their ability to express themselves and their feelings. Thus, in-person or online speech therapy from a licensed speech language pathologist may be beneficial for children with speech impediments or delays. Physical occupational and speech therapy is another option for families seeking occupational speech and development support for children. Through this type of therapy program or therapy center, you can connect with an occupational speech provider offering physical, occupational, and speech support for children with developmental delays.
The benefits of speech therapy
Speech therapy can help children improve their communication skills, enabling children to express their thoughts and feelings more effectively. A licensed therapist specializing in speech and language can work with children to address specific challenges, such as articulation or language comprehension. Therapists may use interactive exercises, games, and personalized techniques to make the learning process engaging and supportive for children.
What is children’s therapy? Mental health support options for parents, teens, and children
Child and family counseling and therapy can be a worthwhile option for parents and children. As parenting a child can often come with increased responsibilities and a busy schedule, it may be challenging to find therapy for everyone in the family that fits in with school, work, or family time schedules, Now, it’s possible to find a provider by searching for "child therapist near me" to get a list of your easiest options. If no child therapists are available in your community, online therapy is available for parents over 18 and teens ages 13 to 19.
Online children's therapy: Benefits for parents
Connect with a counselor or therapist through an online therapy platform
Takeaway
Children can experience various challenges, and some may benefit from speaking with a children's therapist. If you're considering therapy for you or your child, you may start by learning more about common types of therapy available. If you want additional support with your parenting concerns or want to pursue therapy for your teenager, consider contacting an in-person or online therapist for further guidance and support.
How do I know if my child needs a therapist?
Your child may need a mental health professional if you notice a change in behavior, unusual behavior, or unhealthy behavior patterns. You may notice changes in eating habits, changes in academic performance at school, anger and defiance, sadness and withdrawal, anxiety, poor hygiene, or changes in sleeping habits.
When should a kid get therapy?
A child should get counseling or therapy services if you notice behaviors or behavioral changes that aren’t serving your child. If your child suddenly can’t focus on school or activities they previously enjoyed, therapy services may be beneficial. Experiencing sudden life changes and traumatic events are also reasons why a child could benefit from counseling. A child who exhibits extreme anger, sadness and depression, or anxiety can also benefit from counseling services.
Finding mental health services and helpful resources near you for support
You can seek out counseling from a children's therapy center, your child’s school, or online therapy services such as BetterHelp—there are many ways to get access.
- Finding a qualified therapist who specializes in child counseling can make a difference in your child's well-being. Many therapists offer flexible options to meet your family's need.
- Some children's therapy centers have a team of specialized therapists who understand the unique challenges that children face. Online therapy services also connect families with experienced therapists.
- Schools often have access to a therapist on staff or can recommend local therapists who work with children.
Child CBT: What is CBT therapy for kids?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, for children involves talk therapy that helps children gain awareness of thought processes and make changes in behavior.
- Therapy for children can significantly benefit a child's emotional and mental well-being. Child-focused therapy addresses challenges that affect both the child and their family.
- Working with children in a therapeutic setting helps children build coping skills. Children's needs can vary, but child-centered interventions are essential for promoting positive child development and supporting children's mental health.
The therapy types: What type of counseling works best for behavioral problems in kids?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the most effective type of counseling for children in regards to helping children identify thought processes that lead to behavioral problems and make changes to behavior. Play therapy can be good for helping younger children with behavior.
- A therapist who works with children must build a trusting relationship with the child to effectively address behavioral issues. Child-focused therapy requires a therapist skilled in engaging young children in the therapeutic process.
- For children, a therapist may use creative approaches to help the child express feelings. A skilled therapist understands how to adapt therapy techniques to meet the unique needs of each child.
- When children face behavioral challenges, a therapist specializing in child therapy can make a significant difference. A compassionate therapist works with both the child and their family to support positive change.
What is ABA therapy for children?
ABA therapy, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors in children, such as communication, social skills, and adaptive learning skills. It is commonly used to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but can also help with various behavioral challenges.
ABA therapy uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. When a child successfully completes a task or behaves appropriately, they receive a reward from the therapist, reinforcing the behavior and making it more likely to happen again. The therapy also involves breaking down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps and practicing them repeatedly.
Child therapy types: How does physical therapy work for children?
Physical therapy for children focuses on improving movement, strength, and coordination through targeted exercises and activities. It helps children develop gross motor skills, such as walking, running, and jumping, while also addressing balance and posture. PT can be essential for children with developmental delays, injuries, or conditions affecting mobility, like cerebral palsy. Therapists often incorporate play-based approaches to make exercises fun and engaging. The goal is to enhance physical function and support participation in everyday activities.
What is occupational therapy for children?
Occupational therapy helps children develop skills needed for daily living, school tasks, and social interactions. It focuses on fine motor skills (like writing and buttoning), sensory processing, self-care routines, and social-emotional development. OT is beneficial for children with conditions like autism, sensory processing disorders, or motor coordination difficulties. Therapists use creative, play-based interventions tailored to the child’s needs, making therapy enjoyable while addressing challenges. The aim is to build independence and confidence in everyday activities.
Child therapy types: What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy is delivered by speech language pathologists are specially trained therapists who help people with speech and language issues, such as problems with articulation, fluency, and swallowing. Speech therapy is a process in which speech trained professionals work with someone to develop speech skills.
What is play counseling for kids used for?
Play therapy helps children cope with emotional difficulties, often resulting from big life changes or trauma. In play counseling, children learn how to express feelings, communicate with others, and problem solve. It can improve social and family relationships, help develop coping skills, and reduce behavioral problems.
Thanks for the feedback!
- Previous Article
- Next Article