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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
What Is Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents?
Psychotherapy refers to a variety of techniques and methods
used to help children and adolescents who are experiencing
difficulties with emotion and behavior. Although there are
different types of psychotherapy, each relies on
communication as the basic tool for bringing about change in
a person's feelings and behavior. Psychotherapy may involve
an individual child, group, or family. For children and
adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as
well as talking, are important ways of sharing feelings and
resolving problems.
As part of the initial assessment, a mental health
professional will determine the need for psychotherapy.
This decision will be based upon such things as the child's
current problems, history, level of development, ability to
cooperate in treatment, and what interventions are most
likely to help. Psychotherapy is often used in combination
with other treatments, such as medication, behavior
management, or work with the school. The relationship that
develops between the therapist and the child is very
important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable,
safe, and understood. This type of trusting environment
makes it much easier for the child to express his or her
thoughts and feelings and to benefit from the therapy.
Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of
ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts
with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out
new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be
specific (change in behavior, improved relations with
friends) or more general (less anxiety, better self-
esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the
complexity and severity of problems.
Parents should ask the following questions:
- Why is psychotherapy being recommended?
- What are some of the results I can expect to see?
- How long will my child be involved in therapy?
- How frequently will the therapist or doctor want to see
my child?
- Will the therapist or doctor be meeting with just my
child or the entire family?
- How will we be informed about our child's progress and
how can we help?
- How soon can we expect to see some changes?
The therapist or doctor providing the psychotherapy will be
able to answer your questions and concerns.
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