Child Therapy
Child therapy is a form of therapy that has been tailored for children. Parents may seek therapy for their children on the recommendation of a doctor, teacher or because they feel that their child would benefit from talking to someone. Every therapist has a unique approach to working with children and may integrate several therapeutic techniques to find one that works best for the child.
Therapy techniques I use are:
- Play therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Positive behavioral intervention strategies
- Guided imagery
- Talk therapy (depending on the age)
Children in a wide variety of situations can benefit from psychotherapy. Behavioral issues can sometimes be a sign of underlying psychological problems. Children who are struggling in school may also be candidates for therapy.
Stressful events that may lead to therapy are:
- Death of a parent
- Family relocation
- Divorce
- A new step family
- Bullying
- Struggling socially
These can all be occasions where a short time in therapy can be very helpful to the child. It allows them a safe, neutral place to process the event.
Finding a good therapist for a child can be challenging. Things to keep in mind are:
- Level of experience
- Making sure your child feels comfortable with the therapist
- Look at the therapist approach and ask questions
- Ask for a trial appointment so that the child can meet with the therapist without the pressure of being committed to future appointments.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to set up a free 15-minute consultation with you. This allows you to meet me, ask questions and ensure that I am a person whom you think your child would feel comfortable to work with.
Parent Consultation:
Parents may also seek out therapy on their own to deal with issues that arise as a child
develops. This process is often called, parent consultation. During a parent consultation session we will discuss current concerns, look at the different options available, develop a plan and create goals. I often meet with one or both parents to discuss their concerns. I consult on a variety of issues such as:
- Anger management
- Bulling
- Social skills
- Aggression
- Difficult or un-manageable behaviors
- Isolation
- Sadness
- Toileting
- Sleeping
Please call me if you have further questions regarding parent consultation.