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A strong approach for supporting children who are engaging in individual therapy is to use play therapy, narrative therapy, and functional family therapy. Play is often referred to as the universal language between children and adults, which better allows the provider to engage with the child's narrative. Given that children may not always “have” or know the perfect words to say to express their experiences, allowing children to express themselves through play may allow the provider to gain greater insights into the child's executive functioning, behaviors, and interpersonal dynamics. These insights will better inform the provider of the client's narrative and how it can best be honored in the home or family system.
Tools that I feel are extremely beneficial to develop in child therapy are:
Often in child therapy, the role of the parent/guardian is just as vital as the role of the child. Therefore, in order to ensure meaningful progress in child therapy, it is important for the provider to clearly understand and consistently check in on the individual goals of the client and their parents/guardians. Additionally, it can be incredibly helpful for the provider to engage in continuous communication with other supports in the child's life (teachers, psychiatrists, primary care providers, etc.) to determine if the child is meeting their emotional and behavioral goals in different environments throughout treatment. In child therapy, there are many moments of meaningful progress, as children are constantly reaching new milestones of understanding, reflection, and feeling.
Clients in child therapy are able to supplement their time outside of sessions with parent/guardian supported activities, parent sessions and trainings, peer support groups, therapeutic camps, and more! Oftentimes, allowing for systemic and family dynamic work to take place in the child's environments outside of therapy sessions is a wonderful way to support the child's success in sessions. Child therapy, although primarily oriented around the child, can also heavily involve key players in their life such as parents/guardians and siblings. This allows for several opportunities outside of sessions for families to practice integrating key tools and concepts into their lives that best meet the needs of all members of the family, not just the child in therapy.
To prepare your child and your family, for the first session of child therapy, it can be incredibly helpful to disclose to your child why they are being brought into therapy, prior to the day of the session. Not sharing a “why” with the child can lead to the child experiencing elevated emotions of fear or anger related to their lack of control while walking into a new environment where they are encouraged to share all parts of their life with a complete stranger. This can be a very shocking situation to encounter without an advanced notice or an explanation of what therapy can be used for. Additionally, during the first session, many providers will welcome the child and their parents/guardians into the session together prior to meeting with the child independently. This can be a wonderful way to set a strong foundation for the client and provider, as well as the family and the provider.
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 Dallas.
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 Dallas, GA have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Child therapy is a type of therapy meant for clients within a specific age group, while play therapy is an approach to therapy that helps children with self-expression and stress relief, among others. Play therapy is a technique that is often used in child therapy to help children express what’s running through their minds when they do not have the words to express their thoughts and emotions. It can get children to express what’s wrong, what might be causing unwanted behaviors, or what they might need in a way that is accessible to them so that therapists can then work to treat the issue.
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.
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Dallas, GA is one of the best types of therapy for children. However, it can be administered in child therapy sessions in a variety of ways that are more accessible to young minds, such as play therapy.
Child therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of child therapy depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child therapy sessions will last for several months.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
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Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 1:00am - 9:30pm | |
Friday | 1:00am - 9:30pm |
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