Does your child have trouble dealing with their emotions? Is their behavior sometimes disruptive to your home life? Have they experienced sudden loss, change 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.
At our office child counseling is for ages 12 and under. Counselors who work with children are Ashley Townsend, MS, LPC, Luke Oaks, MS, LPC, Kara Burrus, MEd, LPC, Jordan Prieto, MEd, LPC, Christy Wilmeth, MS, LPC, Katherine “Katy” Phelan, LPC Associate supervised by Joe Duke, MEd, LPC-S, Kellen Winslow, MA, LPC, Serena Mangano, LPC Associate Supervised by Christina Goff, LPC-S, Tamesha Williams, LPC Associate supervised by Christina Goff, LPC-S, Todd Bryant, MEd, LPC
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 different types of psychotherapy offered at our office which are available to children and families. Each form of therapy 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.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidenced based treatment that helps children to identify harmful thought patterns. Once a child recognizes that his or her thoughts create their feelings and moods, they can learn to control themselves and their behavior. Research has shown that CBT is highly effective at treating depression and anxiety as well as help individuals, including children, deal with traumatic experiences. We have 2 counselors, Chris Goff, MA, LPC-S and Kristi Hosek, MEd, LPC-S & Owner of Journeys who are certified in CBT and all other counselors have some level of training and experience using it.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy helps children resolve cognitive and emotional issues nonverbally. It utilizes the mind-body connection to allow children to work through distress in a safe, non-invasive way. Play therapy is a form of expression without using words which allows children to share and process thoughts, feelings and behaviors through a creative outlet.
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. All counselors are able to provide family therapy.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidenced based treatment designed specifically for children and teens who have been impacted by trauma. This is a highly structured and short term therapy. We have 1 counselor, Ashley Townsend, MS, LPC who is certified in TF-CBT and several more who have completed training in it.
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/ADD
- 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 our office a call.
