What is child therapy?
Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child-therapy at Thriveworks Amherst.
How does child therapy work?
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Amherst, MA have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Play therapy vs child therapy
Child therapy is a type of therapy meant for clients within a specific age group, while play therapy is an approach to therapy that helps children with self-expression and stress relief, among others. Play therapy is a technique that is often used in child therapy to help children express what’s running through their minds when they do not have the words to express their thoughts and emotions. It can get children to express what’s wrong, what might be causing unwanted behaviors or what they might need, in a way that is accessible to them so that therapists can then work to treat the issue.
How to tell if my child needs counseling
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
What type of therapy is best for children?
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Amherst, MA is one of the best types of therapy for children. However, it can be administered in child therapy sessions in a variety of ways that are more accessible to young minds, such as play therapy.
Is child therapy conducted in person or online?
Child therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does child therapy last?
The length of child therapy depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child therapy sessions will last for several months.
How much does child therapy cost?
At Thriveworks, we take most major forms of insurance, which means that many of our clients only pay a $0-$50 co-pay per session. However, there are also self-pay options that sit around $200 per session, depending on the service and location, for those who are out-of-network.
Need more help deciding?
If you were granted one wish, what would it be? Many would wish to travel back in time to “simpler” days—to childhood. However, many of us also fail to remember just how hard childhood and teenhood can be. This critical stage in development brings with it nonstop change: physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s often difficult to cope with these changes, as kids and teens are still learning, growing, and adapting. Often wondering, “Why can’t everything slow down?” and “Why can’t I be *insert age here* already?” simultaneously.
“Nothing is absolute. Everything moves. Everything revolves. Everything flies and goes away.” –Frida Kahlo
In few words, childhood and adolescence can be difficult. Fortunately, though, there is professional help out there for kids and teens who are struggling. Whether they’re struggling to cope with their parents’ divorce, make new friends, focus at school, or just feel happy, a counselor or therapist can help. The providers at Thriveworks Amherst are especially equipped to help your child with a given challenge, as they have an impressive set of skills as well as experience in helping these young individuals. If you think your child could benefit from working with a child therapist or counselor, give Thriveworks Amherst a call at (413) 634-4805.
Can My Child Benefit from Working with a Therapist?
It’s hard enough as an adult to manage stress and solve the problems that come up on a daily basis. It’s often even more difficult for kids and teens who are still learning tools for coping with stressors and dealing with their many emotions. The good news is a child therapist can assist kids and teens who need a little extra help. For example, child therapy can help these young individuals with the following:
- Family problems
- School problems
- Stress and worry
- Sadness and anger
- Grief and loss
- Low self-esteem
- Depression and anxiety
- Other mental illnesses
Therapy can come in handy when a child or teen can’t cope alone, or when their problems start to affect how they feel or act. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Amherst are happy to step in if you feel your child needs our services or could benefit.
How Does Child Therapy Work?
Child therapy is tailored to each individual, designed to best help them with their presenting issue(s). However, there is one main goal in child therapy and that’s to help children and teens live happier, healthier lives. Here are a few examples to paint a clearer picture of how a child therapist can help your kid:
- As we’ve mentioned previously, this stage of development comes with many physical, mental, and emotional changes. These changes can make teens feel uncomfortable and even develop a low self-esteem. If your teen isn’t feeling so confident and needs a little boost, the counselors at Thriveworks Amherst can help. For example, they can assist them in practicing self-affirmations, knocking down negative thoughts, and ultimately seeing all that they have to offer.
- Divorce is prevalent in today’s society. This means that there are many children of divorce, of whom might be struggling to cope with the separation of their parents and all of the changes that come with it. Furthermore, there are often complication emotions that arise in the wake of parents’ divorcing: from confusion to guilt to depression. This is where a child therapist can be of help. They can help kids heal and adjust by encouraging them to open up about their feelings. Additionally, they can help them come to terms with their parents divorce through exercises like journaling or deep-breathing.
Schedule a Session at Thriveworks Amherst
Are you concerned about how your child or teen is performing in school? Have you noticed any odd changes in their mood or behavior? Do they need help coping with a difficult scenario? Consider reaching out to Thriveworks Amherst to set up an appointment with a child therapist.
Here at Thriveworks, we enforce a “no waiting list” policy. We take mental health seriously and we want to help our clients as soon as possible. In addition, we have flexible hours. If you can’t make it in for an appointment during normal school or work hours, that’s okay—we have weekend as well as evening sessions available.
If you’re interested in child therapy at Thriveworks Amherst, give us a call at 413-634-4805. We look forward to hearing from you.
