You might be referred to a child therapist by your pediatrician, or you may decide to seek one on your own. There are many different approaches, techniques, and interventions. Which one is the best for your child?
What are the different kinds of Child Therapy?
There are many types of therapy available for your child. Below are some common approaches practiced and recommended. At times, a combination of different psychotherapy approaches may be helpful.
Related: When Should I Consider a Child Therapist?
Play Therapy
Young children struggle to process and talk about emotions because they are still developing their cognitive and verbal skills. A play therapist creates opportunities for communication using various toys and techniques. Common tools include Lego play, blocks, puppets, dolls, drawing, sandplay, and games. Therapists use these opportunities to help children process emotions, observe their behaviors, and work through conflict, while focusing on building trust and self-confidence in your child.
Play Therapy Quick Facts:
Uses play to observe, assess, treat, and prevent psychosocial challenges
Most commonly used with younger children
Helps children process and express emotions
Builds empathy and responsibility
Improves social and relationships skills
Decreases internal conflicts
Develops problem-solving skills
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT therapists believe that one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all connected. A CBT therapist helps children understand (1) how their thoughts and emotions affect their behavior and (2) how changing their thoughts can reduce problem behaviors and improve their emotions and reactions. CBT is typically very structured and one of the most effective types of therapy for anxiety. This type of therapy can help children reduce stress, cope, and face many common life challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Quick Facts:
Popular belief: our thoughts affect our emotions and behavior
Commonly with children 8+ years old (but studies show benefits as young as 3 years old!)
Helps children identify negative thought patterns and reframe them
Provides your child with practical strategies they can use every day
Develop healthy ways of thinking and behaving
CBT is effective for anxiety disorders, separation anxiety, sleep problems, selective mutism, adjustment disorders, behavioral challenges, the effects of divorce, and so much more!
Dialectical Behavior Therapy-C
DBT is similar to CBT, except there is an additional skill-building framework of mindfulness and emotional regulation. In general, DBT helps individuals develop distress tolerance, self-awareness, and acceptance. DBT-C was adapted from DBT and developed specifically for children and preadolescents who have trouble handling strong emotions. DBT-C can help treat many diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD, disruptive behaviors, eating disorders, and self-harming behavior. An extensive parent training component is central to the child version of DBT.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Quick Facts:
DBT-C is a modified version of DBT tailored for children ages 6-12 years old
Treats anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD, disruptive behaviors, eating disorders, and self-harming behavior, and more
Teaches key skills for distress tolerance and healthy relationships
Helps with strong emotional responses that lead to aggression or manipulation
Provides your child with practical strategies they can use every day
Focuses on improving the relationship between the child and their home environment
Family Therapy
Family therapy helps families improve communication, deal with family conflicts, and promote a healthy home environment. Family therapists can benefit children by improving their communication skills and problem solving skills with family members. Parents can also learn how to listen and support their children without judgment, which can improve child self-esteem. Topics include child behavioral challenges, sibling conflicts, major life transitions, marital issues or changes, grief, trauma and more.
Family Therapy Quick Facts:
Full family involvement not necessary – any family members willing can attend
Strength-based, non-judgmental approach
Resolves conflicts with goals to preserve relationships
Can also help with individual mental health issues that affect the family (e.g., anxiety, chronic illness depression, substance abuse, addiction)
Teaches key skills for emotional communication and boundary setting
Provides your child with practical strategies they can use every day
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)/ PCIT with Toddlers (PCIT-T)
PCIT aims to improve the parent-child relationship through interaction. Play therapy skills help improve prosocial behaviors, such as cooperation and taking turns, while behavior management tools help reduce challenging behaviors, such as aggression, noncompliance, and tantrums. Parents are guided with real-time feedback from the therapist during playtime. PCIT helps the parent create a safe emotional space for children to adjust behavior and seek connection. PCIT can help with anxiety disorders, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other challenges. PCIT-T targets even younger children and was specifically designed for children ages 12-24 months with an emphasis on attachment and emotional regulation.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Quick Facts:
Commonly for children 2-7 years old (and older if modified)
PCIT-T is specific for children 12-24 months old
Teaches effective parenting skills and builds parent confidence
Helps parent and child create emotionally safe environment with each other
Teaches key skills for relationship building
Improves child’s behavior, compliance, and self-esteem
Effective for children who experienced abusive or traumatic environments
