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 is based on the belief that children naturally move toward growth and healing when provided with a safe, accepting, and empathetic environment. Because children often lack the verbal skills to fully express complex emotions, play becomes their primary language and toys become their words.
Core Principles
Unconditional positive regard – The therapist accepts the child without judgment.
Empathy – The therapist reflects the child’s feelings and experiences.
Congruence (genuineness) – The therapist is authentic and emotionally present.
Child-led process – The child directs the play; the therapist does not control or interpret.
How It Works
Sessions typically occur weekly in a structured playroom with carefully selected toys (e.g., art materials, dolls, sand tray, puppets).
The therapist tracks behavior, reflects feelings, and sets consistent limits when necessary.
Through symbolic play, children process trauma, anxiety, behavioral concerns, grief, family changes, or social difficulties.
Goals
Improve emotional regulation
Increase self-esteem and confidence
Enhance problem-solving skills
Strengthen attachment and relational skills
Reduce behavioral symptoms
Sandtray Therapy
Overview
In sandtray therapy, clients create scenes in a shallow tray filled with sand using a variety of miniature objects (people, animals, buildings, vehicles, fantasy figures, natural elements, etc.). The sandtray becomes a “world” where internal experiences can be safely externalized and explored.
How It Works
The therapist provides a safe, contained space with a sandtray and a wide selection of miniatures.The client creates a scene in the sand.The therapist observes, reflects, and may process the meaning of the scene with the client (depending on theoretical orientation).The tray serves as a symbolic representation of the client’s inner world.
Key Benefits
Encourages nonverbal expression
Helps process trauma and complex emotions
Supports emotional regulation
Promotes insight and problem-solving
Reduces anxiety through sensory engagement
Who It Helps
Sandtray therapy is effective with children, adolescents and adults dealing with trauma, grief, anxiety, attachment issues, or life transitions.