How does child therapy work? Techniques and benefits for children and families

Is your child struggling at home and/or school? Do you feel like you have tried everything? You and your child are not alone in this feeling. As a children’s therapist who specializes in working with ages 5-14, I want to help support you, your child, and your family in these struggles.

I recognize that it can be exhausting looking for a therapist who will be a good for both your child and your family. Because of this, I am going to breakdown the important pieces of children’s therapy and what I do.

Types of Treatment

There are various types of therapy I can offer for your child. The types of therapy I offer are:

• Play Therapy
  • Directive Play Therapy
  • Child-Centered Play Therapy

• Filial Therapy- Parent Involvement

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Psychotherapy/ Talk Therapy – Narrative Theory

The type of therapy used in session depends on a variety of factors; however, there are two vital aspects that impact the treatment path. First, your child’s age and the developmental age of your child are important when deciding on treatment. For example, your child could be 10 but have a developmental age of 15. If this were the case, talk therapy/psychotherapy might be the best fit for your child. In the first few sessions I will assess for your child’s developmental age to help decide on the treatment path.

The second important aspect in determining treatment is how involved you want to be and can be as a parent or caretaker. If you have both an interest and ability in being involved, Filial therapy could be a great treatment for your child. This will also be a great option for any parents who want to work on the relationship with their child in order to get closer to them.

If you aren’t able to be as involved or feel this isn’t the best option for you, child-centered or directive play therapy might be better fits. While these aren’t the only things to consider when trying to determine which treatment is best for you and your family, age and involvement are two of the most important factors.

The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone! I will walk you through all the steps of selecting a type of treatment and we will work collaboratively on what will be the best fit for your child and your family. And I am always more than happy to talk through any questions and/or concerns you might have!

Benefits of Treatment

I have specifically chosen to use these therapies due to the benefits of treatment. With these various treatments the benefits can be improvement in:

• Parent-child interaction
• Behaviors
• Self-esteem
• Social skills
• Emotional benefits, including regulation and communication
• Boundaries

You might be asking yourself, “how does my child playing with toys improve unwanted behaviors and emotional regulation?” Great question!

In Child-Centered, Directive, and Filial therapy, children are not simply just playing. The child is using play as their language for expressing what they may be feeling inside. Play therapists have been trained in using specific language while the child plays. This allows the child to have a safe place to find their way and work through difficult emotions they may not know how to express otherwise.

In filial therapy, I will coach you (the parent) how to use this language and play therapy skills to facilitate this space. Our goal will be to train you to eventually be able to conduct play therapy sessions at home. The best part is that in all of these therapies, the relationship that you have with your child is almost always shown to improve. There can be countless benefits to these treatments that will set you and your child up for future success.

Who can benefit from this therapy?

If you’re wondering if your child could benefit from treatment, the answer is: yes!  All the types of therapy above can address a variety of issues spanning from anxiety, low self-esteem, poor social skills, trauma, and many, many more!

If your child is between the ages of 5-14 and struggling with any of these issues at home and/or school, they could benefit from therapy. Parents can also benefit from therapy and being involved in the therapy process! Therapy is an investment for both the child and the family that you both deserve.

Are parents involved in therapy?

The simple answer is: YES!

When working with children, I take a systemic approach. Parents are an important part of this system. Building the system up around the child while working with the child is vital. Building up the system includes–but is not limited to–building parenting skills, providing psychoeducation, updating you on treatment course.

It is not just about your child, but it is about strengthening the resources around them so that when they leave therapy they can continue to practice the tools they are learning in a safe environment. My goal is to empower them with the skills, knowledge, and tools that will hopefully serve them for the rest of their lives!

Child therapy at Andrews & Associates Counseling

Have you been looking for counseling or therapy for children and adolescents near you? Our team includes therapists in Manhattan, Wamego, and Junction City who specialize in working with kids as young as five years old and teens up to 18. If you would like to learn more about your options for child and adolescent therapy, please request a consultation. You can browse provider profiles to find the therapist that is right for you! Contact us to request an appointment, and a member of our team will follow up with you to help you book for a time that fits your schedule.

About the Author

BROOKE THORNBRUGH, T-LMFT

Brooke Thornbrugh believes in the importance of clients being able to discover and nourish the meaning of their own story. She works hard to provide a space where children, adults, and families feel heard and acknowledged. Brooke is experienced in both play therapy and filial therapy. She is also experienced in navigating different family dynamics using other therapeutic models.