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 Chapel Hill.
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 Chapel Hill, NC 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 Chapel Hill, NC 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?
What Is Child Therapy and How Can It Help?
Child therapy is a form of counseling that is designed specifically to meet the needs of kids and teens. It aims to help these young individuals identify, understand, and manage challenges in their lives, from bullying (like in our example above) to socialization problems, learning disabilities, issues with friends and relationships, traumatic events, and more.
There is no age limit for children who can receive and benefit from child therapy. All are welcome, from toddlers in preschool and kindergarten to kids in middle school and teens in high school!
While the child’s age will certainly help the therapist to determine the best approach to treatment, the goal is always the same: to help them work through the problem(s) at hand and live a happier, healthier life—now and for years to come.
Who Should Work with a Child Therapist?
Think about how challenging our emotions can be—now imagine how difficult it can be for a child or teen who doesn’t have the tools or the experience to properly deal with difficult emotions as well as other mental health challenges. Here is a list of common mental health challenges addressed in child therapy:
- Mental health diagnoses and treatment
- Bullying
- Trauma
- Addiction is one’s family
- Big changes, such as a move to a new area
- Divorcing parents
- Abuse (sexual, physical, mental, and emotional)
If you know your child is struggling as a result of any of the above, child therapy at Thriveworks in Chapel Hill can help and support them through this difficult time. Now, if the challenge at hand isn’t as clear, you might look out for signs that they are struggling or suffering. These signs include a change in appetite, difficulty sleeping, failing or dropping grades, social isolation, and anxiety. If you witness these signs in your kid or teen, have a conversation with them about your concerns and consider setting them up with a child therapist.
Schedule a Child Therapy Session at Thriveworks Counseling in Chapel Hill, NC
Child therapy can benefit many children and teens, including those who are struggling with an overt challenge as well as those who are suffering due to a problem that has yet to be discovered. In any case, the child therapists and teen counselors at our office are happy to step in, assess your child’s current situation, and help them work through it. Additionally, our child therapists will equip your child with life-changing tools that will come in handy for future mental health challenges and other life issues.
To schedule a child therapy session, simply call our office or schedule one. We’re here to help.
We have both in-person and online counseling sessions available, as well as flexible appointment times, including in the evenings and on the weekends.
