What do Child and Adolescent Therapy sessions look like?
Child and Adolescent TherapyChild and Adolescent sessions follow a similar structure to adult counseling but in child centered counseling, the objectives, discussion, activities, and interventions attempt to mirror the emotions, reactions and motives of the client in the moment. Parent/family involvement is encouraged and sessions may involve short parent check ins or full inclusion of family members. The therapist will often assign homework for the child and/or parent and family.
Play Therapy
Child and Adolescent Play Therapy is similar to the sessions described above but involves either directive or non-directive child centered play. Even though these sessions may appear unstructured, they are organized as follows:
• Intake & Pre-treatment assessments:
initial interview, paperwork, and assessment from questionnaires to formal testing
initial interview, paperwork, and assessment from questionnaires to formal testing
• Introduction & Tentative Acceptance Phase:
beginning play and getting acquainted to play therapy followed by client enthusiasm toward attending and participating in counseling Negative Reaction Phase: as the client starts to experience change and be challenged, they may be resistant to therapy
beginning play and getting acquainted to play therapy followed by client enthusiasm toward attending and participating in counseling Negative Reaction Phase: as the client starts to experience change and be challenged, they may be resistant to therapy
• Growing Phase:
as clients learn new strategies and begin growing, the client will experience positive change and exhibit new behaviors
as clients learn new strategies and begin growing, the client will experience positive change and exhibit new behaviors
• Termination Phase:
once the client has achieved the therapeutic goals, counseling services can become more and more infrequent or end altogether
once the client has achieved the therapeutic goals, counseling services can become more and more infrequent or end altogether
Sand Tray
As a part of the developed treatment plan, the therapist will provide a sand tray and miniature items and encourage the client to place the items in the sand. Clients are encouraged to construct their own little world using miniature toys in the sand box. Then the therapist will look for common themes that indicate insecurities or aggressive behavior, as well as resilience and positive emotional expression. The client will receive guidelines around appropriate sand play and may be asked to help with clean up. Parents may be engaged in the process
As a part of the developed treatment plan, the therapist will provide a sand tray and miniature items and encourage the client to place the items in the sand. Clients are encouraged to construct their own little world using miniature toys in the sand box. Then the therapist will look for common themes that indicate insecurities or aggressive behavior, as well as resilience and positive emotional expression. The client will receive guidelines around appropriate sand play and may be asked to help with clean up. Parents may be engaged in the process
How does Child and Adolescent Therapy work?
Child and Adolescent TherapyTherapy works best when we find ways to meet children where they are at developmentally and provide them a secure setting with a trusted adult. Therefore, the methods used in therapy with children and adolescents are individualized to the developmental stage and present struggles of each child. These methods may include play, art, talk therapy, and family/parent work. Applying age and developmentally appropriate interventions to their sessions promotes growth and healing.
Play Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy is an approach that allows the child to show us their worlds and thoughts through play. Children lack the full ability to verbalize their feelings and needs. Play is natural and effortless to a child. Play illustrates themes the client may be playing out in his or her life. With a professional understanding, play therapy is an effective tool for identifying thoughts, feelings and growth in certain areas such as independence, self-control, esteem, and compliance with limits and boundaries. The counseling relationship is a safe place for children to label and express feelings and thoughts, such as anger, fear and sadness. Play also assists with personal boundaries and self worth development. There are two approaches to play therapy. Play therapists use both approaches, depending on the circumstances. Nondirective play therapy is based on the principle that children can resolve their own issues given the right conditions and the freedom to play with limited instruction. Directive play therapy uses more input from the therapist to help process issues.
Child-Centered Play Therapy is an approach that allows the child to show us their worlds and thoughts through play. Children lack the full ability to verbalize their feelings and needs. Play is natural and effortless to a child. Play illustrates themes the client may be playing out in his or her life. With a professional understanding, play therapy is an effective tool for identifying thoughts, feelings and growth in certain areas such as independence, self-control, esteem, and compliance with limits and boundaries. The counseling relationship is a safe place for children to label and express feelings and thoughts, such as anger, fear and sadness. Play also assists with personal boundaries and self worth development. There are two approaches to play therapy. Play therapists use both approaches, depending on the circumstances. Nondirective play therapy is based on the principle that children can resolve their own issues given the right conditions and the freedom to play with limited instruction. Directive play therapy uses more input from the therapist to help process issues.
Sand Tray
Because of the nonverbal nature of Sand Tray therapy, children achieve feelings of comfort and security. Many children are unable to verbalize emotional states so Sand Tray is effective in freeing the client to develop their own expression of situations. Often, clients will experience a sense of independent play and begin making assumptions and behavior changes independently. This method of therapy can serve as a valuable and powerful outlet for children because of the relaxed and interactive setting provides them. Sand Tray therapy is also very useful in the treatment of children who have been traumatized and who are often threatened and are in highly anxious states when they come to therapy.
Because of the nonverbal nature of Sand Tray therapy, children achieve feelings of comfort and security. Many children are unable to verbalize emotional states so Sand Tray is effective in freeing the client to develop their own expression of situations. Often, clients will experience a sense of independent play and begin making assumptions and behavior changes independently. This method of therapy can serve as a valuable and powerful outlet for children because of the relaxed and interactive setting provides them. Sand Tray therapy is also very useful in the treatment of children who have been traumatized and who are often threatened and are in highly anxious states when they come to therapy.
