Therapy for Children

What is your child telling you?

They’re raising their voice, slamming doors, and threatening punches.

There’s the negative self-talk: “I don’t know how to be good,” “I’m ugly,” or “I can’t do anything right.”

Or they seem on edge, acting nervous around new people or places.

Perhaps they’re frequently distracted and having difficulty sitting still.

Lately, there seems to be a cloud over their world.

All this behavior is a form of communication.

As with all communication, connection is the key.

Your child may have difficulty expressing themselves at the start of therapy or the beginning of a session, so we’ll use a couple of techniques to assist.

We’ll start by checking in with a “pulse” scale (1-5, with five being the “happiest”). This can also be an opportunity to get creative with the scales (e.g., using foods instead of 1-5). We’ll do this for several sessions.

In time, we’ll move to opening with a mindfulness game. This provides a smooth transition while laying the groundwork for some of the tools we’ll use down the road.

Then, as we move through the sessions, we’ll alternate between talk therapy and experiential activities or games to help your child achieve their goals. The structure depends on the child and what we are working on (e.g., using timed activities for limit-setting and impulse control).

Once you speak their language…

In therapy, we will decode your child’s behavior while assisting them in developing personal power and autonomy.

Some of the more specific areas that may be worked on are changing negative self-talk, feelings identification and managing emotions, impulse control, kid-friendly mindfulness techniques, and understanding somatic and physiological cues.

Your involvement is key.

The level of parent involvement varies based on the child’s age, comfortability, attention span, and goals being addressed. The following is recommended:

Children under ten years old: 5-to 10-minute check-ins every session

Children over ten years old: 20-minute check-ins every 3-4 weeks

Teens: 20-minute check-ins every six weeks

During check-ins, we’ll review your child’s goals, discuss progress, and talk about the next steps. We may also educate you on parenting strategies to support your child in what they are learning.

Meetings can also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Let’s restore your child’s sense of calm! Schedule a free consultation today: (856) 200-8205.