WHAT IS CHILD THERAPY?

Child therapy is a specific form of therapy used to help children who have been victims of a traumatic experience or who have difficulty growing up in a stressful home environment. With the right child counseling, the child can overcome even the most difficult situations by addressing many issues. Child therapy is used to help solve many problems, from anxiety to coping with grief. Child therapy allows the child to better understand the problems he/she faces.

WHICH PROBLEMS ARE WORKED IN CHILD THERAPY?

Child counselors deal with a variety of issues. They are concerned with children who are traumatized or faced with upsetting situations as a result of losing their possessions, such as parents, loved pets, siblings, homes, and so on. They can also deal with children who have witnessed or been exposed to abuse or threats. Basically, child counselors address issues that cause children's social or emotional distress or any mental health condition that affects a child's life. The aim of these experts is to help the child to identify and deal with any issue or problem he / she is experiencing. Bullying and substance use in the family are also among the common problems that child counselor’s encounter.

HOW IS CHILD THERAPY DONE?

There are many different types of child counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and alternative therapies.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to help children change their negative thought patterns and behaviors by reshaping their thoughts about problems and events. The goal is to help children transform negative thoughts into more positive ones, so they can respond to issues, themselves and the world around them in a healthier way. This method of therapy is known to help children deal effectively with difficult and stressful situations.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The purpose of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is to help children who have been exposed to trauma recover from the effects of trauma. It is the methods used to help children get rid of their traumas without blaming themselves.

 Alternative therapies: A child with mental health problems or psychological distress may benefit from alternative therapy techniques such as music or art therapy, exercise, sports therapy, movement therapy, horse therapy, attention or water therapy.

WHO CAN CHILD THERAPY HELP?

Child counselors address issues that cause children's social, emotional distress, or any mental health condition that affects a child's life. The reasons written below are the most common problems child counselors treat. 

• Divorce

   Grief and death of a loved one (pet, house, etc.)

   Witnessing or experiencing a trauma event

   Mental health conditions and psychological distress (i.e. anxiety and depression)

• Bullying

   Sexual, emotional or physical abuse

   Displacement issues (i.e. moving school, home, family or city)

• Substance use or addiction in the family

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHILD THERAPY?

The common goals of child counseling vary depending on the child's problem or situation. However, it typically addresses issues in a child's life that significantly affect their growth, development, mental health, and well-being. The goal of therapy is to help children learn the tools, techniques and methods that can better prepare themselves for any challenges they may face now and in the future.

Therefore, the common goal of child counseling is to help the child successfully cope with difficult situations that trigger the following emotions:

Coping with anxiety: The most common goal of child counseling is to help children deal with anxious and negative thoughts. The common goal of this therapy is to help the child cope with anxious moments, talk about them, change negative attitudes, and provide them with a method to speak openly and explain their concerns.

Coping with trauma: If children are victims of a traumatic act or witnessed a traumatic event, this can be a difficult situation for children to deal with. Dealing with trauma is an important part of child counseling and is often used to help them progress. 

Divorce Acceptance: When parents separate, it is often difficult for a child to understand the reason for the divorce and they may see themselves as a big part of the problem. Child counseling can help children understand that they are not part of the issue, accept reasons for divorce, and understand that this will not ruin their relationship with their parents.

Coping with change: Life is moving fast, and dealing with change can be a huge challenge for children. Child counseling can help children accept change and view change as a positive situation rather than a negative one.

HOW LONG DOES CHILD THERAPY TAKE?

Child therapy sessions usually range from 45 to 60 minutes. Some issues can be quickly addressed in a few visits. However, in some cases a series of counseling sessions may be required. The duration and frequency of the sessions may vary depending on factors such as the severity of the problem, the time the child has had the problem, and how much the problem affects daily life. 

IS IT NECESSARY TO USE DRUGS WITH CHILD THERAPY?

Therapy can teach coping and self-management skills. However, in some cases, further treatment may be recommended. Depending on the children's concerns and physical health, seeing only a child therapist may be sufficient. However, medication may be helpful for some problems. In such cases, it will be more useful to talk to a psychiatrist. A thorough medical evaluation can help the child determine the nature of their problem and all treatment options that may be appropriate for their situation.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD THERAPISTS?

There are a few things to consider when looking for a child therapist. First of all, the therapist must be suitable for the child. Because the therapy environment is an unknown and frightening environment for a child, a child who comes to therapy may be uncomfortable and anxious to see the therapist. Therefore, it is important to find a therapist who can "communicate" with the child. The truth is, it may take some time for children to feel comfortable. That's why pediatric therapists need to know ways to make the child feel comfortable in therapy.

IS ONLINE THERAPY CONVERSATION USEFUL IN CHILD THERAPY?

Online therapy has proven to be just as beneficial as, if not more, traditional face-to-face therapy. Some studies show that people are more satisfied with online therapy. Online therapy interview is a method that can be used to treat all kinds of problems, so it is also useful in child therapy.