Developmentally Appropriate Counseling for Children
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Far from just being “little adults,” children possess a developmentally unique way of understanding their world and their place in it. When they are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, it is important that therapy adapt to their developmental level and “speak their language” – the language of play – to be most effective.
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When we play with someone, our defenses go down and our openness to that person increases. To be able to play with someone is also an indication of feelings of safety. That openness and safety creates an environment in which the work of therapy can occur and healing in a child’s life can take place. Through play, a child may be able to show what he or she cannot otherwise describe, and when an attuned therapist or parent communicates, “I see what you are trying to say and you matter deeply,” a child is better able to make sense of self, others, and the larger world.
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I provide counseling to children ages three and up that has play and other forms of creative expression at its heart, using a combination of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) techniques and more directive approaches, including Theraplay, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), TF-CBT, EMDR, and the Attachment, Regulation, and Competencies (ARC) model, based on the child's needs and treatment goals. I am a registered play therapist (RPT), credentialed by the Association for Play Therapy.
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The issues I treat include:
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Parents Play a Vital Role in Children's Therapy
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As a parent, you are an integral part of your child’s time at Arbor Cove Therapy. Parents often join in therapy sessions with their child in order to work on healing broken attachments, resolving conflict, encouraging a child's ability to express feelings more appropriately, or strengthening the parent-child relationship. Sometimes, a prerequisite to this work is parent sessions devoted to reflecting on your own childhood, comfort with play and emotion, and feelings of connection to your child. Family therapy sessions are also helpful in exploring your child's difficulties within the larger dynamic of the family. With every family, I conduct an assessment with parents prior to meeting their child and check in regularly to provide updates on progress as well as suggestions for how to support your child at home.
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Ideally, therapy with children is a true team effort consisting of child, parent, and therapist jointly working together. I invite you to watch the videos below, from the Association for Play Therapy and Life is Good, to learn more about the value of therapeutic play techniques.
Contact Arbor Cove Therapy to learn more or schedule an appointment.
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