Teen/Child Counseling

The type of therapy applied to children depends a bit on their age. Some example of appropriate treatment include:

Play Therapy (Ages 3–12)

• Best for younger children who struggle to express emotions verbally.
• Uses toys, games, and creative activities to help kids process their feelings.
• Helpful for trauma, anxiety, behavioral issues, and social difficulties.
  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Ages 6+)

• Focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors.
• Helps with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma.
• Teaches coping skills and problem-solving techniques.

Behavioral Therapy (Ages 3+)

• Often used for ADHD, autism, and behavior disorders.
• Focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors and reducing unwanted behaviors.
• Includes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for autism.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) (Ages 2–7)

• Strengthens parent-child relationships and improves behavior.
• Parents learn how to reinforce positive behaviors while setting healthy boundaries.
• Effective for children with behavioral and emotional issues.

Family Therapy (All Ages)

• Helps families improve communication and resolve conflicts.
• Useful for issues like divorce, grief, trauma, and major life changes.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) (Ages 3–18)

• Specially designed for kids who have experienced trauma.
• Combines talk therapy, play therapy, and coping strategies.

It is important to know that there is no one single approach that is best for all children, so an intentionally designed approach for your child’s unique needs is typically best.

It can be difficult to know if a child needs therapy, but some signs suggest they may benefit from professional support. Here are some key indicators:

Emotional Signs

• Frequent sadness, crying, or mood swings that seem excessive.
• Excessive worry or anxiety, especially if it interferes with daily life.
• Intense anger, aggression, or frequent tantrums beyond what’s typical for their age.
• Fearfulness or withdrawal from activities they used to enjoy.

Behavioral Signs

• Drastic changes in behavior, such as increased aggression, defiance, or acting out.
• Self-harm or talk of hurting themselves or others (this is a serious red flag).
• Frequent nightmares or trouble sleeping due to fear or distress.
• Regressive behaviors, like bedwetting or clinginess, in older children.
• Avoiding school or social activities without a clear reason.

Social Signs

• Difficulty making or keeping friends.
• Extreme shyness or social withdrawal.
• Trouble understanding or following social rules.

School & Cognitive Signs

• Drop in grades or loss of interest in school.
• Difficulty focusing or completing tasks (not just ADHD-related).
• Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause.

Family or Trauma-Related Signs

• Struggling to cope with divorce, loss, or a major change (like moving).
• Witnessing or experiencing trauma, abuse, or violence.
• Expressing thoughts of worthlessness or hopelessness.

When to Seek Help

If any of these behaviors persist for several weeks or months, interfere with daily life, or seem extreme, therapy might be beneficial. Even if you’re unsure, talking to a therapist for an evaluation can provide clarity.

A therapist is an umbrella term which can include many different types of mental health professionals including social workers, family therapists, clinical counselors, psychologists, and can even extend to occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, etc.

A psychologist is a subset of therapists and signifies they are a Licensed Psychologist in their state. Just like other licenses, a Psychologist refers to a specific license with specific training and criteria to obtain.

There are therapists that work with children as young as newborns, so there is practically no limit to the age at which behavioral therapy can start. 

Most clinicians will have an age range of clients they will work with, and most that work with children will have their range of ages they feel comfortable and competent to treat.