Does your child have trouble dealing with their emotions? Is their behavior sometimes disruptive to your home life? Have they experienced sudden loss or trauma?

As they grow, children and adolescents develop social skills and emotional intelligence. This awareness helps them to develop into healthy, happy, and successful individuals. But some children have trouble processing their emotions, and this leads to behavior that negatively impacts their school life, home life, and overall well-being. However, all behavior has a purpose, especially with children. At Reflections Creative Therapies Group, we strive to dismiss harmful misconceptions about behavior issues in children and get to the root of the issues through tailored therapy for children. Our office provides in-person and telehealth therapy for clients in the Wellington, Florida, region.

Learn more about the process and what to expect from our child therapists.

Effective Forms of Therapy for Children

Therapy offers children a safe space to work through their thoughts and emotions. With the help of a specialized therapist, children can resolve problems, modify behaviors, and make positive and lasting changes. But how does therapy work when children often struggle to communicate in the same way an adult does? How do we learn to speak their language and uncover the meaning behind their actions? Here are some of our methods:

Play Therapy

For children under 10, we usually see them in a specialized playroom. The toys are their words, and the way in which they use these toys is their language. A child and adolescent therapist is paramount in assisting them with expression and transformations. You can learn more about this method on our page about play therapy.

Sand Tray Therapy

Similar to play therapy, sand tray therapy allows children to express themselves without words. By creating scenes in the sand and acting out stories, children can explore complex feelings and interpersonal dynamics. They can even replay traumatic moments to better understand their effects, facilitating healing in a creative, engaging way.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Another option available for children, especially when it comes to therapy for teens, is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients identify harmful thought patterns. If someone recognizes that his or her thoughts create their feelings and moods, they can learn to better control themselves. Research shows that CBT is effective at treating depression and anxiety as well as helping individuals deal with traumatic experiences.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is great for helping families improve communication so that they can resolve issues. Sessions can include the entire family, including children, siblings, parents, and grandparents, or just one or two individuals.

Each of these child therapy options offers unique techniques to bring about positive outcomes. Sometimes a therapist may choose to use just one specific treatment, and other times he or she may find a combination of treatments is the best approach.

When Is Child & Adolescent Therapy Necessary?

At every age, children can be faced with life’s challenges. The following are some of the events and scenarios that can impact a child’s mental health and well-being:

• The death of a loved one
• Fears and anxiety
• Bullying
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Domestic violence
• Moving or attending a new school
• Divorce
• Social anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD
• Eating disorders

Therapy is not a quick fix for a child’s behavioral or emotional issues. It is instead a thoughtful and comprehensive process that provides children with insights and skills so that they may become masters of their thoughts and feelings. This, in essence, is how children develop into happy, healthy, and successful adults.

If you would like to explore treatment options for your child at Reflections Creative Therapies Group, give our office a call! We are proud to serve individuals and families in the Wellington area through our therapy for children and teens.