Child therapists treat a wide range of issues and disorders. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific type of therapy your child might benefit from. At Fairbanks Psychiatric & Neurological Clinic APC, offering counseling and psychiatry services to Alaskan families for more than 30 years, they’ll help you better understand your options. The following are some popular types of therapies to consider.

Child Therapists Explain 3 Different Approaches

Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-informed Cognitive  behavioral therapy is often praised as one of the most effective treatment approaches for adults suffering from many of the mental health issues that affect adults.  It can also be used to help children work through their challenges. Essentially, TI-CBT helps the child observe your own thoughts, so they can better understand how certain types of thoughts may have a negative impact on feelings and behavior. During treatment, children learn to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

Behavior Therapy

Although the goals are similar, in Behavior Therapy, the point is to identify specific behaviors, instead of thoughts, that need to be modified, or replaced. It also involves taking stock of factors that may encourage or discourage the undesirable behaviors. Behavior Therapy helps both children and their parents better understand what steps they should take to make lasting changes.

Play Therapy

Used more often with younger children, play therapy allows children to work with difficult issues through play. The play therapy room includes such things as a sand table, doll house and dress up clothes and props.  Children tend to reveal a lot about their own inner experience during play.  The therapist observes the child, drawing insights that can help her or him determine the specific emotional and mental needs of the child.

These are three of the approaches child therapists use. If you think your child would benefit from counseling, get in touch with Alaska’s Fairbanks Psychiatric & Neurological Clinic APC. Their therapist, Sally Caldwell, LPC-S, SEP,  will work with you and your child to make positive changes. Contact them online for more information, or call (907) 452-1739.