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Revitalizing Psychiatry
Mental Help for Children
What is Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents?
Psychotherapy refers to a variety of techniques and methods used to help children and adolescents who
are experiencing difficulties with emotion and behavior. Although there are different types of
psychotherapy, each relies on communications as the basic tool for bringing about change in a person's
feelings and behaviors. Psychotherapy may involve an individual child, group or family. In children and
adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, is important ways of sharing
feelings and resolving problems.
The decision on the type of psychotherapy is based upon such things as the child's current problems,
history, level of development, ability to cooperate in treatment, and what interventions are most likely to
help with the presenting concerns. Psychotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments
(medication, behavior management, or work with the school). The relationship that develops between the
therapist and the patient is very important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe and
understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express his/her
thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a useful way.
Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support,
resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old
problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends or
family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the
complexity and severity of problems. Child and adolescent therapists are specifically trained and skilled
to provide psychotherapy.
Parents should ask the following questions:
A child and adolescent psychotherapist will be able to provide you with answers to your questions and
concerns.
Types of Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents
Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that can help children and families understand and resolve
problems, modify behavior, and make positive changes in their lives. There are several types of
psychotherapy that involve different approaches, techniques and interventions. At times, a combination
of different psychotherapy approaches may be helpful. In some cases a combination of medication with
psychotherapy may be more effective.
Different types of psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy is not a quick fix or an easy answer. It is a complex and rich process that can reduce
symptoms, provide insight and improve a child or adolescent's functioning and quality of life. Child and
adolescent therapists are trained in different forms of psychotherapy and, if indicated, are able to
combine these forms of treatment with medications to alleviate the child or adolescent's emotional
and/or behavioral problems.
Psychotherapy refers to a variety of techniques and methods used to help children and adolescents who
are experiencing difficulties with emotion and behavior. Although there are different types of
psychotherapy, each relies on communications as the basic tool for bringing about change in a person's
feelings and behaviors. Psychotherapy may involve an individual child, group or family. In children and
adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, is important ways of sharing
feelings and resolving problems.
The decision on the type of psychotherapy is based upon such things as the child's current problems,
history, level of development, ability to cooperate in treatment, and what interventions are most likely to
help with the presenting concerns. Psychotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments
(medication, behavior management, or work with the school). The relationship that develops between the
therapist and the patient is very important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe and
understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express his/her
thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a useful way.
Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support,
resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old
problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends or
family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the
complexity and severity of problems. Child and adolescent therapists are specifically trained and skilled
to provide psychotherapy.
Parents should ask the following questions:
- Why is psychotherapy being recommended?
- What are some of the results I can expect to see?
- How long will my child be involved in therapy?
- How frequently will the doctor want to see my child?
- Will the doctor be meeting with just my child or the entire family?
- How much do psychotherapy sessions cost?
- How will we (the parents) be informed about our child's progress and how can we help?
- How soon can we expect to see some changes?
A child and adolescent psychotherapist will be able to provide you with answers to your questions and
concerns.
Types of Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents
Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that can help children and families understand and resolve
problems, modify behavior, and make positive changes in their lives. There are several types of
psychotherapy that involve different approaches, techniques and interventions. At times, a combination
of different psychotherapy approaches may be helpful. In some cases a combination of medication with
psychotherapy may be more effective.
Different types of psychotherapy:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps improve a child's moods and behavior by examining
confused or distorted patterns of thinking. During CBT the child learns that thoughts cause
feelings and moods which can influence behavior. For example, if a child is experiencing
unwanted feelings or has problematic behaviors, the therapist works to identify the underlying
thinking that is causing them. The therapist then helps the child replace this thinking with
thoughts that result in more appropriate feelings and behaviors. Research shows that CBT can be
effective in treating depression and anxiety. - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be used to treat older adolescents who have chronic
suicidal feelings/thoughts, engage in intentional self-harm or have Borderline Personality
Disorder. DBT emphasizes taking responsibility for one's problems and helps the person examine
how they deal with conflict and negative feelings. This often involves a combination of group and
individual sessions. - Family Therapy focuses on helping the family function in more positive and constructive ways by
exploring patterns of communication and providing support and education. Family therapy
sessions can include the child or adolescent along with parents, siblings and grandparents.
Couples therapy is a specific type of family therapy that focuses on a couple's communication and
interactions (e.g. parents having marital problems). - Group Therapy uses the power of group dynamics and peer interactions to increase
understanding and improve social skills. There are many different types of group therapy (e.g.
psychodynamic, social skills, substance abuse, multi-family, parent support, etc.) - Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a brief treatment specifically developed and tested for depression.
The goals of IPT are to improve interpersonal functioning by decreasing the symptoms of
depression. IPT has been shown to be effective in adolescents with depression. - Play Therapy involves the use of toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings and games to help the child
recognize, identify and verbalize feelings. The psychotherapist observes how the child uses play
materials and identifies themes or patterns to understand the child's problems. Through a
combination of talk and play the child has an opportunity to better understand and manage their
conflicts, feelings and behavior. - Psychodynamic Psychotherapy emphasizes understanding the issues that motivate and influence
a child's behavior, thoughts and feelings. It can help identify a child's typical behavior patterns,
defenses and responses to inner conflicts and struggles. Psychoanalysis is a specialized, more
intensive form of psychodynamic psychotherapy, which usually involved several sessions per
week. Psychodynamic psychotherapies are based on the assumption that a child's behavior and
feelings will improve once the inner struggles are brought to light.
Psychotherapy is not a quick fix or an easy answer. It is a complex and rich process that can reduce
symptoms, provide insight and improve a child or adolescent's functioning and quality of life. Child and
adolescent therapists are trained in different forms of psychotherapy and, if indicated, are able to
combine these forms of treatment with medications to alleviate the child or adolescent's emotional
and/or behavioral problems.
We will Revitalize Your Mind!
