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 .
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 , IN have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
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.
Imagine: Your six-year-old son has been an angel up until recently. He went from quietly walking through the grocery store with you to screaming over a bag of chips that he demands he needs. His teacher called to let you know that he is picking on kids at school and won’t stop talking during class. You try different communication tactics, discipline him differently, and try everything under the sun to get him to understand that his behavior is wrong. You have no idea why he just suddenly snapped and started acting out. You feel on edge, just always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I may not be able to give my kids everything they want, but I give them what they need. Love, time, and attention. You can’t buy those things.” –Nishan Panwar
When children act out for no apparent reason, there could be something else going on in their lives that you don’t know about. Maybe they’re struggling to cope with divorce, are being bullied at school, or can’t keep up with their classmates and feel embarrassed about it. If your child or teen is going through a difficult time, it can be hard to process tough emotions. Reach out to a child therapist at Thriveworks Indiana for help. Our child therapists are trained and dedicated to helping children face the obstacles in their way and learn how to better manage their emotions. To get started, just give us a call.
Reasons to Seek Child and Teen Therapy
As we briefly mentioned before, kids and teens have a harder time processing difficult emotions than adults. Their minds are still developing, and they may need some extra guidance. Just because your child might need therapy doesn’t mean that poorly reflects on you and your parenting. Seeking out the help of a child therapist just proves how much you love them and want to feel their best. There are a variety of issues that bring children into therapy, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- ADHD/ADD
- Family conflict
- Divorce
- Eating disorders
- Disruptive behavior
- Learning disabilities
- Bullying and being bullied
- Parenting issues
- Stress
- Anger
- Grief and loss
- Addiction and/or substance abuse
- Autism spectrum disorder
There are many other reasons why children may be struggling mentally or emotionally. We can help pinpoint where their emotions are coming from through different therapy methods and techniques.
What to Expect in Child Therapy
Here at Thriveworks Indiana, we understand that every child and teen is unique. Our therapists are experts in dealing with the many issues that may affect these young minds and help them build upon their social and emotional skills. We strive to provide a safe and open setting for these children to share their feelings and work towards resolving their issues. Your child’s therapist will assess what challenges they are facing to create a treatment plan specific to their needs.
Young children may not be able to verbalize what they are feeling but could show you through play and art. These are just two examples of how our counselors could connect with your child. There are several different methods and techniques you can expect your child’s counselor to use during their sessions, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: used for mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression
- Play therapy
- Traditional talk therapy
- Art therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Anger management techniques
- Stress management techniques
- Coping mechanisms
- Family therapy
Online child therapy is similar to traditional in-person therapy. The only difference is attending your session virtually! When starting, you and your child can choose between telephone and video chat. Both options are great but if you are unsure of which to choose, we recommend trying both out at least once. Here are some added benefits of working with an online counselor:
- Comfort
- Convenience
- Effectiveness
- Affordability
If you have a busy schedule and can barely make it to your child’s soccer practice on time, online counseling is probably the best option for you. Our therapists are credentialed and well-versed in the many issues that children face and work hard to provide them the best care possible, even over the phone. If you’re interested, give it a try.
Work with a Child Therapist at Thriveworks Indiana Counseling
If you have made it this far and feel like you and your child are ready to take the next step, we’re here to help. To get started, you can visit our online booking portal or by calling to be connected with a scheduling specialist. We have flexible scheduling options and have appointment times during the day, evenings, and weekends. In addition, we do not operate on a waitlist and can often get our clients into their first session within 24 hours of their initial call.
Your teen or child deserves to live a happy, full life. We want to help them work through their emotions and feel better prepared for anything in their future. We look forward to hearing from you.
