Learn To Understand Your Child’s Behaviors
In child therapy, we often work with parents and family systems. As the parent, you are the most important caregiver, and you will be closely involved in the process. You will receive specialist knowledge and practical advice on how to best support your child. One goal in child therapy, especially with younger children, is to help parents better understand what their child’s behaviors mean. In cases where the family is a key part of the child therapy, we will work with the family to develop adaptive strategies to navigate concerns. For younger children, the child therapy sessions are designed to be fun (i.e., learning through play) and we pace sessions in accordance with the way the child or young person presents.
What we can help with:
- Mood and anxiety concerns
- Behavioral problems
- Developing social skills
- Self-esteem issues
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Attention related disorders
- Attachment related concerns
- Communication problems
- Resilience
What Happens in Child Therapy
Depending on the presentation, we will employ a range of techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychoeducation. Depending on the age and presentation of your child, the first few meetings of the child therapy may take the following form:
- During the first meeting, we will speak with the parents to gather relevant history.
- In the second meeting, we will meet with the parents and child, and then see the child alone (or with a parent present if you request).
- Subsequent sessions will be one-on-one with the child, with frequent check-ins with the parent.
We will tailor the child therapy so that it best fits your child and your specific situation. For instance, with older children or adolescents, we try to respect the child’s growing need for self-determination and privacy, and you, as the parent may be less involved, though always included. In doing so, we orient to your child’s specific strengths and needs, and collaborate closely with the family to find the best ways forward.
Goals of Child Therapy
Ultimately, therapy can help to enhance your child’s social and emotional learning, improve their social skills, enhance their attachment style and confidence and teach them to better regulate emotions and make informed choices. Furthermore, again depending on your child’s symptoms or complaints, we work towards reducing symptoms, and help the child work within their strengths and challenges.
