You may be considering paediatric counselling therapy for your son or daughter. This is an excellent choice, and can provide a number of benefits for your child. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common benefits of paediatric counselling therapy.
What Is Paediatric Counselling Therapy?
Paediatric counselling therapy is a form of therapy that is provided to children who are struggling with various mental health issues. It can be done through a range of ways, the most common form is talk therapy, however other forms of therapy are expressive therapies. The goal of paediatric counselling therapy is to help the child learn how to manage, express and work through their emotions and understand how it can impact their behaviours, and to give them the tools they need to cope with difficult situations.
Counselling is a place where a child or adolescent has been given the space to just share with what is happening for them. They don’t necessarily need a mental health diagnosis.
Counselling for kids can be very beneficial, as it can help them overcome a range of issues, including:
- behavioural problems
- emotional problems
- social problems
- learning difficulties
- family conflict
- trauma
The Different Approaches Used in Paediatric Counselling
When it comes to paediatric counselling, different approaches are often used in order to cater to the child’s specific needs. Depending on the child’s individual situation, different techniques and activities are used.
On of the most common approaches with children is expressive therapies. This approach uses different types of play, art, sand therapies or therapy cards.
Art therapy is another popular approach, which uses creative expression and art-making as a way to help kids explore and understand their thoughts and feelings. It can be especially helpful for kids who find it difficult to express themselves verbally.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a third popular approach that helps kids deal with negative thoughts and emotions. It can be helpful for kids who struggle with things like anxiety or depression.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of CBT that helps kids learn how to regulate their emotions. It can be useful for kids who have trouble managing their behaviour, or who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts.
- Finally, exposure therapy is a type of CBT that helps kids deal with fears and phobias. It involves exposing the child to the things that scare them in a safe and controlled environment.
Assessing the Impact of Counselling on Children
Research has shown that counselling can be extremely beneficial to children. In fact, a meta-analysis of child and adolescent psychotherapy outcome research tested 150 studies and found that psychotherapy has been found to alleviate anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents.
What’s more, a cognitive training programme was found to improve the behaviour of hyperactive children. Counselling can help children with a variety of behavioural, emotional and mental health issues. When kids feel heard and understood through validation, they are able to process their feelings and emotions in a healthy way, which helps them cope better with whatever life throws their way.
The Benefits of Counselling for Children
The benefits of counselling for children are many. It can help improve self-esteem and self-confidence, enhance social skills, and facilitate transition between life stages. It can also help children develop a positive outlook on life and provide them with a support system outside of their immediate family.
Counselling can provide a safe space for children to express themselves and work through any issues they may be facing. It can also help them develop coping skills and learn how to deal with stress and anxiety. Mostly, it helps them to have their emotions and situations validated but also given the opportunity to express themselves in ways that they may be limited elsewhere.
Understanding the Long-Term Outcomes of Counselling
When it comes to understanding the long-term outcomes of counselling, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, counselling is an idiosyncratic process, meaning that each individual will have a unique experience. Second, counselling is a process-oriented approach, meaning that the focus is on the journey, not the destination. And third, the outcomes of counselling are studied through a process-oriented approach, meaning that the focus is on the how and not the why.
So what does this all mean? Basically, it means that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how counselling helps kids. Each child will have a different experience and will benefit in different ways. However, there are some general trends that have been observed in studies of child counselling.
One study found that youth who received psychotherapy at clinics in Sweden experienced improvements in symptoms and outcomes. Another study found that short- and long-term psychotherapy helped reduce symptoms and improve outcomes for children with anxiety disorders. And a third study found that child counselling helped reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children who had experienced trauma.
These studies suggest that child counselling can be an effective way to help kids improve their mental health and well-being. If you’re considering counselling for your child, talk to your doctor or mental health professional to learn more about what to expect.
FAQs About Child Counselling Therapy
- What is child counselling therapy?
Child counselling therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the mental illnesses of young children, teens, and adolescents. It can be used to treat a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.
- What are the benefits of child counselling therapy?
There are many benefits to child counselling therapy, including improved mental health, better social skills, and increased academic performance.
- Who can provide child counselling therapy?
- Registered Play Therapists (RPTs)
- Play Therapist Supervisors (RPT-Ss)
- Registered counsellors
- Art therapists
- Trauma counsellors, etc.
- How long does child counselling therapy last?
The length of child counselling therapy varies depending on the needs of the child and the goals of the therapist. However, most standardised therapies last for at least six weeks, but quality results are given for as long as it is needed.
- How much does child counselling therapy cost?
The cost of child counselling therapy varies depending on the therapist and the length of the therapy. However, most therapies cost between $50 and $100 per session.
Conclusion
It’s been found that child counselling therapy can help improve academic performance, social skills, and general behaviour. In some cases, it can even prevent mental health problems from developing. If you’re considering seeking help for your child, make sure to consult with a professional to see if child counselling therapy is the right option.
