Child & Adolescent Therapy
Does your child have trouble dealing with their emotions? Is their behavior sometimes disruptive to your home life? Have they experienced sudden loss or trauma?
As they grow, children and adolescents develop social skills and emotional intelligence. This awareness helps them to develop into healthy, happy, and successful individuals. But some children have trouble processing their emotions and this often leads to behavior that negatively impacts their school life, home life, and overall well-being.
Effective Forms of Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Therapy offers children and adolescents a safe space to work through their thoughts and emotions. With the help of a specialized therapist, children can resolve problems, modify behaviors, and make positive and lasting changes.
The following are a few different types of psychotherapy available to children and families. Each offers unique approaches and techniques to bring about positive outcomes. Sometimes a therapist may choose to use just one specific treatment, and other times he or she may find a combination of various treatments is the best approach.
Child Centered Play Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gary Landreth. It's a widely recognized and highly effective form of play therapy specifically designed for children. Here are some key principles and concepts associated with Child-Centered Play Therapy as outlined by Dr. Gary Landreth:
Child-Centered Approach: CCPT emphasizes the importance of allowing the child to take the lead in the play therapy sessions. The child is given the freedom to choose the toys and activities they want to engage in, allowing them to express themselves in their own way.
Unconditional Positive Regard: The therapist provides a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental environment where the child feels valued and accepted. This helps build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship.
Non-Directive Role of the Therapist: The therapist takes on a non-directive role, meaning they do not lead the play or tell the child what to do. Instead, they observe and respond to the child's play, providing support and encouragement as needed.
Reflection and Empathy: The therapist uses reflective listening and empathetic responses to help the child explore their feelings and experiences. This helps the child feel understood and validated.
Facilitation of Self-Expression: CCPT recognizes that play is the natural language of children. Through play, children can express themselves, process emotions, and work through difficult experiences in a way that feels safe and comfortable.
Therapeutic Toys and Materials: The play therapy room is equipped with a variety of toys and creative materials that allow the child to explore and express themselves. These can include dolls, art supplies, puppets, sand trays, and more.
Establishing Safety and Trust: Creating a safe and trusting environment is crucial in CCPT. This helps the child feel secure and confident in expressing themselves.
Developmentally Appropriate: CCPT is tailored to the child's developmental level, ensuring that the activities and materials used are suitable for their age and abilities.
Respect for the Child's Autonomy: The therapist respects the child's choices and decisions during the sessions. This helps empower the child and build their self-esteem.
Processing and Integration of Experiences: CCPT aims to help the child process and make sense of their emotions and experiences. This can lead to increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, and improved coping skills.
Child-Centered Play Therapy has been shown to be effective in helping children with a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. It provides a safe and nurturing space for children to explore and express themselves, ultimately supporting their emotional growth and well-being.
Sandtray Therapy
Sandtray therapy is a form of expressive therapy that allows individuals to create scenes or landscapes in a shallow tray of sand using miniature figures and objects. It provides a non-verbal way for individuals to explore and communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Here are some key points about sandtray therapy:
Medium of Expression: The sandtray itself serves as a neutral medium for expression. The individual can shape and mold the sand to create a landscape or scene that represents their inner world.
Miniatures and Objects: A wide variety of miniature figures and objects are provided for the individual to use in the sandtray. These can include people, animals, buildings, nature elements, and more. The individual selects and places these objects in the sand to represent different aspects of their feelings, experiences, or relationships.
Non-Directive Approach: Similar to other forms of expressive therapy, sandtray therapy often takes a non-directive approach. The therapist does not lead or instruct the individual on what to create. Instead, they provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for the individual to explore their own symbolism and meaning.
Symbolism and Metaphor: The miniatures and the way they are arranged in the sand can serve as symbolic representations of the individual's inner world, relationships, conflicts, and emotions. The process of creating the scene and reflecting on it can lead to insights and understanding.
Safe and Contained Space: The sandtray provides a contained space where the individual can explore their feelings and experiences in a safe and contained manner. It can be particularly helpful for those who may find it challenging to express themselves verbally.
Integration and Processing: Engaging in sandtray therapy can facilitate the integration and processing of emotions and experiences. It can help individuals make connections and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings.
Developmentally Appropriate: Sandtray therapy can be used with individuals of various ages, from children to adults. The selection of miniatures and the complexity of the scenes can be adjusted to suit the developmental level of the individual.
Sandtray therapy can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, emotional expression, and healing. It is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy to support individuals in their journey towards well-being. It's important to engage in sandtray therapy under the guidance of a trained and qualified mental health professional.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is great for helping families improve communication so they can resolve issues. Sessions can include the entire family, including children, siblings, parents, and grandparents, or just one or two individuals.
Who is Therapy Right for?
At every age, children can be faced with life’s challenges. The following are some of the events and scenarios that can impact a child’s mental health and well-being:
- The death of a loved one
- Bullying
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Moving or attending a new school
- Divorce
- Social anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
Therapy is not a quick fix to a child’s behavioral or emotional issues. It is instead a thoughtful and comprehensive process that provides children with insights and skills so that they may become masters of their thoughts and feelings. This, in essence, is how children develop into happy, healthy, and successful adults.
If you would like to explore treatment options for your child, please give my office a call.