What is child therapy?
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 Franklin.
How does child therapy work?
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 Franklin, MA have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Play therapy vs. child therapy
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.
How to tell if my child needs counseling
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.
What type of therapy is best for children?
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Franklin, MA 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.
Is child therapy conducted in person or online?
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.
How long does child therapy last?
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.
How much does child therapy cost?
For talk therapy, intake sessions range from $160 to $240, and follow-ups range from $135 to $195, depending on your state. For psychiatry, intake sessions range from $255 to $375, and follow-ups range from $175 to $300, depending on your state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Need more help deciding?
Child Therapy – Child Therapists and Counselors in Franklin, MA
Unfortunately, children are as vulnerable to traumatic events as adults are. However, because of their underdeveloped coping mechanisms, they are ill-equipped to deal with such trauma. But there is hope. There is scientifically based research that demonstrates evidence that the mental health concerns of both children and adolescents can be addressed successfully. This research shows that it is the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the child, rather than the form of therapeutic intervention, that is the strongest predictor in the success of helping a child deal with their mental health issues.
The trained and skilled child therapists at Thriveworks Franklin are equipped with the tools to decipher what the most pressing issues are in your child’s life and help develop a plan of action to best address the issues that the child is facing.
Reasons to Pursue Child Therapy
Problems and disorders that afflict adults can often affect a child as well. Such issues may include:
- ADD/ADHD
- Concerns related to Autism
- Anxiety
- Conduct disorders in school
- Conduct disorders at home
- Problems with friends
- Abuse or neglect
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
- Life transition such as a move or parent’s divorce
- Death in the family
- Underlying medical issues
- Addictions
- Eating disorders
Methods of Child Therapy
A skilled therapist can build rapport with a child who is scared or unsure of coming to a therapist’s office. A teenager who has but up walls to hide their deeper emotions and thoughts, may be made to feel safe and willing to open up those feelings to a therapist who is skilled at putting that teem at ease. Therapies that are available to a trained therapist include:
- Play therapy
- Talk therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Developing coping skills
- Teaching relaxation techniques
- Teaching stress management
- Identifying and treating serious medical issues
- Identifying and treating serious psychological issues
The child therapists at Thriveworks Franklin are trained to develop a treatment plan that will address the needs of your child or adolescent. It is true that each child is a unique individual and no one else has the exact same make up as they do. However, the skilled therapist at Thriveworks Franklin will respect each child’s individuality and treat them with a blend of methods and techniques that will fit the unique needs of that child.
Schedule Child Therapy at Thriveworks Franklin
Thriveworks therapist are often available within the same week in most cases. Thriveworks takes pride in operating without a wait list but rather scheduling everyone who calls with a need to see someone for help. A simple call may be all that separates a parent and child from the help that they need. We, at Thriveworks, know that a child is the most important thing in their parents’ world. Parents need a place where they can trust that their son or daughter will get the care that they need.
So, call and schedule an appointment with a Thriveworks Franklin counselor now at 617-360-7210. The staff and therapists at Thriveworks Franklin will do everything they can to help your family in this difficult time.
