Child therapy, while similar to adult therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that caters to the young minds of children, allowing them to work through their pressing issues in accessible ways and, importantly,in their own way.
Child counseling can help children using techniques like play therapy and parent-child interaction to treat your child’s issues in an age-appropriate, approachable way. In addition, teen counseling can help adolescents in this important developmental stage using therapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing.
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, you might be contemplating the question, “Are there child therapists near me?” For those in the Round Rock area, the answer would be yes. Whatever your child’s age, Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Round Rock provides local therapy for children and teens in Round Rock, TX. They can provide your child with coping strategies and emotional tools to help them deal with their problems, and provide support and a safe space for them to express their feelings.
What Is a Child Therapist?
A child therapist is someone who has a master’s degree in psychology, marriage and family therapy, counseling psychology, or another mental health field. They are qualified to use therapeutic approaches such as psychotherapy, as well as assess a child’s mental and behavioral health.
A child therapist has many of the same qualifications as an adult therapist, but they also have expertise in dealing specifically with children and adolescents.
Difference Between Therapy for Kids and Therapy for Adults
Therapy for children and adolescents versus therapy for adults are similar in their intentions and diagnoses; however, there are stark differences in the developmental stages between them, which means that symptoms, evaluations, and treatments must be different in order to be effective.
The techniques used by child therapists will look different than what’s used by adult therapists. Adults are capable of knowing the full scope of therapy, including the intention of the treatments, their own range of emotions, and what they are trying to treat.
Kids, though, may not always know why they need treatment, and may have a harder time understanding their emotions and symptoms. Because of this, the approach to treatment has to take this into account in order for the child to feel safe and make sure that they see how they are learning and growing through therapy.
The way that adults and children are asked to put what they’re learning into practice will also look different, since they may have different symptoms and environments even if they are facing the same issues. If an adult or child is struggling with executive function or focus, a child therapist may ask their patient to try and finish a riddle or puzzle in a sitting, whereas an adult therapist might have their patient work on their organizational skills or learn how to structure their workload.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is one such technique used by child therapists to connect with their patients (typically ages 3-12) and allow them to express themselves. Play therapy involves using toys, games, or other types of play to help kids express their emotions and work through their experiences in a safe and placating environment. It can help therapists uncover details and insights that otherwise might not be recognized or discovered through regular dialogue.
What Are the Benefits to Child and Adolescent Therapy? Can My Teen Benefit From Counseling?
Just like therapy is beneficial for adults, child and adolescent therapy can help lead young people to live healthier lives by teaching them how to express themselves, create beneficial coping strategies to deal with their issues, form stronger relationships with those around them, and build up their self-esteem.
Therapy will also set younger children and teens up to set and achieve their goals, allowing them to enter into young adulthood and adulthood with a solid mental and emotional framework.
Benefits to Online Therapy for Kids
Online counseling for kids has all the same benefits of regular therapy, but also has added benefits like making therapy more accessible and flexible for the busy lives of kids. Online therapy cuts down on wait times, takes away the need to commute, and allows more flexibility to work around school and activities.
Kids can go to therapy from the comfort of their home, and it frees up time that their parents or guardians would be using to drive them to and from their therapy office.
Does My Teen Need Therapy? How to Tell if My Child Needs Counseling
Mental health issues look different for everyone, and as such there are many different signs that could mean that your child or teen may need therapy.
These signs may have some overlap, but it’s likely that symptoms will look different for children versus teens, since they are at different stages developmentally. For example, here are some examples of behaviors in children that signal that they might need therapy:
- Regressive behavior (i.e. separation anxiety, bedwetting, baby talk, frequent temper tantrums, etc.)
- Disproportionate anxiety and sadness
- Uncooperative or belligerent behavior
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Sudden changes in interest or behavior; moving away from things they used to love
These are signs that your teen may need therapy:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, worry, anger, or hopelessness
- Constant restlessness; having a hard time paying attention or settling down
- Substance abuse, such as drugs or alcohol
- A sudden shift in behavior like a sharp drop in grades, changes in eating or sleeping habits, or not wanting to participate in hobbies they used to enjoy
- Difficulty making decisions and concentrating
- Talking about or acting on thoughts of self-harm or harming others
- Talking about death or suicidal thoughts
- Isolating themselves from others
These are just a few examples of concerning behaviors; if your child’s behavior doesn’t necessarily look like this but you still think therapy would benefit them, try broaching the subject with them in a non-judgemental and supportive way. Big life changes such as divorce or death, or even just evolving life stages can be reason enough for them to need help sorting out their emotions. If they express interest or are willing to try it, talk to their pediatrician or a mental health professional about next steps.
Is There Children’s Counseling in Round Rock, TX? How to Find the Right Child Psychologist
If you’re a resident of Round Rock, TX, and you’re wondering how to find a child behavioral therapist in Round Rock, then look no further than Thriveworks. Whether you’re looking for in-person or online therapy for your child, Thriveworks can get you connected to a therapist quickly and easily when you book online or call our scheduling specialists.
Our therapists are equipped to help your child with whatever they’re facing and support them on their journey to mental wellness. Call or go online to schedule a child or teen counseling session with us today.