Child Therapy: Counseling for Kids, Adolescents, and Teens

Child counseling in the process by which a child works with a mental health professional to process events and feelings, as well as learn healthy coping strategies. Child counseling/therapy is geared to each individual’s age and skill set. There is typically more play and interactive activities involved in child counseling t o help engage them while also naturally bringing their thoughts and feelings to the surface.

A common form of therapy used with children, teens and adults is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as C BT. CBT is an evidenced based practice that has been researched and deemed an effective treatment for issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment/transitions, and behavior. CBT techniques and treatment modalities employed are dependent on the individual’s developmental stage.

Individual therapy is focused on each child's unique strengths and weaknesses. It is designed to solve specific problems such as learning disabilities, low self-esteem, conduct disorders and more. Usually, children prefer this type of therapy because they like direct communication and it works well for problems like learning difficulties.

Family therapy is directed at the family as a whole instead of each child. Family therapy helps with issues that relate to their entire family system. They may be doing this therapy to discover why the family gets into trouble or to solve disagreements within the relationship. The therapist will place more emphasis on the external influences, such as the family system, culture, and their
interrelationship with each other.

Sometimes parents are worried about what to say to their child if they go to counseling or therapy. They may not know how to explain what it is or how it works. Some parents feel like they will upset their child if they discuss the need for counseling for therapy. Others may worry about their child not going to therapy and they will be disappointed in them.

If you are a parent who is hesitant or worried about talking with your child about counseling for kids, here are some tips to help you prepare for the conversation:

• Ask your child what they know about mental health. You may be surprised what they do or don't know.
• Share with them the importance of mental health. Our mental health occurs in our brain and it is pivotal for our thinking, feelings and actions at all ages. Our mental health is also directly related to how we react to stress, as well as our decision-making.
• Try to normalize the experience of working with a therapist. The brain is an organ in our body, just like our lungs and heart. It is important that we sometimes seek out professional help to make sure it’s healthy and growing.
• Offer them support. Share with them how you love them and want them to feel at their very best.

The difference between c hild and adolescent therapy depends on each individual child/teen and their cognitive functioning and abilities. Typically, therapy for a child will be more geared to their age and skill set. There is typically more play and interactive activities involved in child therapy to help engage them while also naturally bringing their thoughts and feelings to the surface. With teens, they typically engage more in talk-therapy, however the activities or homework are more geared to their age and interests.

A common form of therapy used with children, teens and adults is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as CBT. CBT is an evidenced based practice that has been researched and deemed an effective treatment for issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment/transitions, and behavior. CBT techniques and treatment modalities employed are dependent on the individual’s developmental stage.

When it comes to working with a therapist, confidentiality is a huge part of the practice. Therapists and other medical health professionals are to keep all of the information you share with them confidential and private according to their field’s ethical guidelines, as well as the law, HIPAA. When working with a therapist you can share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with them without fear of that information leaving the room. Therapy is to be a safe place where you can voice how you feel, without being judged or ridiculed.

However, it is important to note that there are a few exceptions to confidentiality. Your therapist may have to break your confidentiality to protect you or another individual from harm, as well if required by law. Before working with a therapist or other health care professionals, you should be given paperwork where confidentiality guidelines are outlined and further explained. Always ask your therapist questions about confidentiality if you are unsure about something or if something is unclear.

Kids need therapy for similar reasons that adults may need therapy. Just like adults, children experience transitions, life changes, loss, heightened emotions, stress and even trauma. If you notice that your child is struggling with new experiences, regulating their emotions, or engaging in harmful or unhelpful behaviors, it may be helpful to explore the prospect of mental health therapy. Many individuals, especially children, can struggle making sense of things happening around them that are out of their control. Therapy helps engage your child in a safe space to explore how they have internalized events/change/new experiences and engages them in a process to work through new or overwhelming emotions and facilitates healthy thinking.