Loading...
Therapy for Children

Different Types of Therapy for Children Explained

Therapy for children can offer several advantages for children’s general mental and physical health. Depending on each child’s unique needs, various treatments are available for support. Counseling helps your child build a strong foundation of abilities while addressing any mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Receiving counseling helps improve their quality of life at home, at school, and with their friends.

What is therapy for children? 

Adult therapy differs greatly from child therapy in that the individual is expected to talk about their feelings while the therapist listens and takes notes. It is not easy to achieve that with child therapy without the youngster getting bored and restless. Young children also do not have the language skills to articulate their feelings clearly. Therapists use the language of play in child therapy. 

Children who play with toys, engage in activities, draw, paint, and do creative art are more expressive about their thoughts and feelings. When a child connects with a therapist where they express themselves by participating in a form of play rather than talking, the child can work through their distress, whether it is about a divorce, death, or family issues. 

Through play and art, a therapist can solicit more feedback from the child instead of making them sit still while being questioned. Techniques specially created for child therapy focus on the child’s emotional well-being, acts as a healthy means of expressing their worries and emotions, and enhances their relationships with those around them, particularly their families.

Different types of therapy for children

Various child therapies are available, each with different objectives and approaches. Mental health professionals are clinically trained to recommend the best treatment based on symptoms, the child’s age, behavior, developmental milestones, and learning ability.

1. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy for children can help with difficulties related to learning, literacy and language, visual perception and processing, gross and fine motor skills, and developmental delays. Therapy supports families and helps children of all ages reach their potential and enhance their quality of life. Occupational therapists (OT) frequently treat children with disabilities and special needs and help them develop independence through self-care skills. OTs can also recommend housing modifications and equipment needs. 

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on teaching children specific skills over a short period of time. CBT emphasizes how a child’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected and affect one another. It is possible to alter a child’s misguided thinking and dysfunctional conduct and treat anxiety and depression using CBT. Working with a therapist can assist them in learning effective coping mechanisms for confusing thoughts or feelings as well as problem-solving abilities.

3. Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of children’s psychotherapy that looks at how relationships and early life might impact development. Its foundation is that the unconscious retains distressing emotions and memories are too challenging for the conscious mind to comprehend. Many children develop defenses like denial to keep these memories and events from themselves. The purpose of psychodynamic therapy is to awaken the unconscious mind, so the young child can feel and understand their ingrained emotions to deal with them.

4. Play therapy

A type of treatment utilized mainly with children is play therapy because they can’t necessarily express their own emotions or issues vocally and clearly. A therapist makes use of activities like drawings, games, puppets, and art to study and observe themes in the child’s behavior. Counseling helps children navigate their feelings and deal with underlying trauma. During play, children can safely detach themselves psychologically from their issues and express themselves in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Play therapy can also help reduce postoperative pain, help children learn new coping skills, improve their attitude, and correct their behavior. 

5. Parent-Child Interaction therapy

Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) treats young children with behavioral issues. Therapy is like a coaching session where the parent or primary caregiver interacts with their child in a playroom while a therapist observes them through a one-way mirror or a live video stream. The therapist gives feedback through earphones and suggests strategies to help the parent control their child’s behavior. The goal is to address behavioral issues and assist both parent and child develop a loving and respectful relationship.

6. Family therapy

Family counseling helps parents and children deal with particular problems impacting the well-being and operation of a family. Therapy supports families during difficult times, significant transitions, or when one or more family members are experiencing mental or behavioral health issues. Family therapy offers a way to regain and retain a sense of wholeness and respect through better understanding and communication. Older children who are disruptive and antisocial may benefit from family therapy to reinforce a positive structure at home and learn conflict resolution techniques.

7. Mentalization-Based Therapy

Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is long-term psychotherapy that works on the ability to link thoughts, beliefs, and emotions to actions and behaviors. Relationships, social functioning, and developing careers depend on the ability to process information mentally. However, some people find it more challenging than others to process particular situations mentally. Therapy can be effective for those who experience severe emotional discomfort, long-term relationship issues, and overpowering emotions, leading to destructive behaviors like self-harm or violence toward others.

Understanding which therapy is right for your child?

Most youngsters experience periodic conduct issues and outbursts, but when there are unexpected or persistent changes that are concerning and affecting everyday life, then the parents and the child may benefit from consulting with a mental health specialist. 

Receiving treatment for their mental health concerns can help children live better and make life easier at home, school, and with friends. If parents are concerned, it is important not to delay seeing a therapist. Untreated mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties can result in chronic health issues.

Therapy works best when it is customized to the needs of the individual child and family. To determine what kind of therapy could be most effective, a mental health professional thoroughly evaluates their mental health. Parents and other primary carers are encouraged to engage in the child’s therapy and rehabilitation actively. However, the child’s treatment plan and their comfort with parental engagement may also play a role.