Written By: Debbie Cecena, APCC
The past few years have had a tremendous impact on the mental health of children. 1 in 5 children ages 3-17, struggle with a mental health disorder each year. Children’s mental wellbeing plays a pivotal role in their overall physical health, school performance, and ability to form relationships. Early intervention can offer substantial support for struggling teens and kids. Child therapy can support youth and adolescents by helping them process emotional challenges, identify healthy coping, promote healthy relationships, and improve academic performance. At Positive Change Counseling Center we take an individualized client centered approach so that children of all ages can feel comfortable participating in therapy. Click here to learn more.
What is Child Therapy?
Child therapy looks different for everyone. However, it is most beneficial when tailored to the specific child or adolescent. Creating a strong therapeutic relationship is key to successful outcomes in therapy.
For children and teens who struggle to communicate through language, therapists can use other forms of client centered therapy to allow a child to express and process their thoughts and feelings.
In client centered play therapy, toys, games, and other objects in the room can be tools a child can use as an outlet to share big feelings in lieu of vocabulary. In this type of therapy, therapists join children in their inner world and are able to interpret the meaning behind a child’s behavior and nonverbal communication in play. Client centered play therapy can also be very helpful in connecting and building a trusting relationship with the youth.
Client centered expressive arts therapy is another type of therapy where a child is able to express themselves freely without the use of any words. In this therapy, individuals use visual art, creative writing, movement, and music to express and process feelings. According to the American Psychiatric Association, expressive arts therapy can help improve psychological well-being, increase self-esteem, reduce stress, build social skills, and improve emotional regulation.
Other helpful therapies can also include behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, experiential therapy, humanistic therapy, and others. These types of models explore a child’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with the goal of helping a child gain insight into themselves and identify healthy ways to manage symptoms.
Overall, child therapy is a unique experience for every individual. When supported by a caring professional, many types of therapies can promote healing and growth.
How to Explain Therapy to a Child
Bringing up the idea of therapy to a child can pose a unique challenge. Depending on their developmental age, they may not yet have the full capacity to understand or identify specific needs or challenges in their life. When explaining therapy to a child, one must make an effort to use age appropriate language. Specifically, using simple terms and explanations so that a child can understand what is therapy and how it can help.
Do’s and Don'ts of How to Explain Therapy to a Child
DO:
Normalize therapy as a something that can be helpful for people of all ages
Remind your child of your care and love for them
Talk openly about the concerning behaviors you notice
Express concern for your child and their current struggles (“I have noticed that.., I am worried about..”)
Use developmentally appropriate language
Normalize feelings (meeting someone new can make someone feel nervous and scared)
Present therapy as an expert who helps people process their emotions
Discuss how therapy may be able to help them
Express a desire for your child to get support to ease their difficulties
Communicate that conversations in therapy are confidential between client and therapist (unless there are safety concerns)
Pick the right time to talk with your child ( ex: during the weekend, a break time, meal time, etc.)
Remind children of their appointment as it approaches (a few days beforehand)
DON’T:
Talk about therapy before bedtime
Present therapy as a way to “fix” them
Communicate from the standpoint of “there is a problem” or “you are having problems”
Single out a child for experiencing current challenges
Disregard a child’s feelings of worry, apprehension, or fear of starting therapy
Use complex language
Make specific promises about what therapy will be like
Force a child into therapy
Children can often misinterpret situations even when you have the best intentions. It is important that you are careful of how you are explaining therapy to a child.
How Positive Change Counseling Center Provides a Safe Space in Child Therapy
At Positive Change Counseling Center we strive to provide a safe space for all children. We take a client centered, non judgmental approach, with the goals of creating a comfortable and supportive environment. We aim to build trust and rapport with a client by getting to know their strengths, needs, and interests. We also follow strict guidelines of confidentiality to ensure that children and adolescents are able to speak freely and openly during sessions. We hope you allow us to inspire a positive change in the life of your child.
Child limits of confidentiality: if they wish to hurt themselves, others, or someone is hurting them or has harmed them in the past.
Child Therapy in Rancho Bernardo – Positive Change Counseling Center
If you are looking for child therapy in Rancho Bernardo, look no further. In our RB location, we have many providers who are highly experienced in providing therapy to children of all ages. With flexible schedules, options of in-person therapy or telehealth, parenting support, or family therapy, Positive Change Counseling can work with your family to best support your needs.
We are ready and available to start helping your child be the very best that they can be. Because every child should have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Click here to request an appointment.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2020, January). Healing Through Art. Www.psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/healing-through-art
American Psychological Association. (2022, May). Children’s mental health. Apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/mental-health
Bitsko et al. (2022). Mental Health Surveillance Among Children — United States, 2013–2019. MMWR Supplements, 71(2), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7102a1
Brennan, D. (2021, June 5). What Is Play Therapy? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/children/what-is-play-therapy
How to Talk to Kids About Starting Therapy. (2023, December). Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-starting-therapy/
Pietrangelo, A. (2019). Play Therapy: What Is It, How It Works, and Techniques. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/play-therapy
Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254–263. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2008.156497