The Benefits of Mental Health Therapy for Children

"In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem has increased by 50%."

What is Mental Health Therapy for Children?

Mental health therapy is a specialized form of support designed to help kids of all ages navigate the complexities of their emotions, behaviors, and social interactions. Therapy can provide many benefits for kids including

Improved relationships
Better thinking skills
Greater independence
Management of chronic mental health issues
Dealing with chronic illnesses or physical disabilities
Recovering from addiction or eating disorders
Processing trauma
Better communication skills

Young children and teenagers who have developmental delays or learning disorders may not be able to benefit from traditional “talk therapy” due to their cognitive or emotional immaturity. In those cases, therapists can use play therapy techniques, behavioral strategies, or work with families to improve a child’s mental health.

Mental health therapy includes many techniques and strategies that therapists can use to help children overcome a wide variety of issues. Some of the more common techniques used with children are listed below. Therapists often use a combination of techniques when treating children.

Acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a form of behavioral therapy that has been adapted for use with children and adolescents. It is particularly effective for older kids with persistent anxiety and depression.

ACT teaches children and teens to accept their negative thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to avoid or change them. The goal is to help them understand that these thoughts and feelings don't need to stop them from pursuing their goals.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on the interconnection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how they influence each other.

In CBT, therapists work with kids to help them understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their behaviors. They teach them to replace negative thought patterns with more productive ones. Kids learn to respond to stressful situations in healthier ways. This process can give children more control over their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy focuses on understanding and changing potentially self-destructive or unhealthy behaviors. It is based on the idea that all behaviors are learned and that unhealthy behaviors can be changed. The primary goal is to increase the child's engagement in positive or socially reinforcing activities.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of behavioral therapy. It is highly structured and individualized. ABA uses positive reinforcement and systematic teaching methods to help kids develop new skills and reduce challenging behaviors. It can address a wide range of areas, including communication, social skills, academic skills, and behavior management. ABA is most often used with children who have autism or severe ADHD.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

DBT is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy that was initially developed for adults with borderline personality disorder. However, it has since been adapted for use with children and teenagers who experience significant difficulties managing their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

DBT can be particularly effective for children and teenagers who struggle with self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and even drug abuse. It is also beneficial for those who have had difficulty benefiting from other forms of therapy.

DBT for children and teens often involves multiple modes of treatment, including individual therapy, skills training, working directly with parents, and coaching by phone. This comprehensive approach is designed to help children and their families manage and gain more control over their emotions and behaviors.

Family therapy

Family therapy, also known as family counseling, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving relationships and behaviors among family members. It is particularly beneficial for children and teens who are dealing with mental health issues, behavioral problems, or significant life changes.

Family therapy involves the child or teen along with parents, siblings, and sometimes grandparents. The family therapist views the family as an interconnected unit where psychological functioning is influenced by each family member. The focus of therapy is on relationship patterns and communication among family members rather than on individual deficits.

Group therapy

Group therapy for children is a form of psychotherapy that brings together multiple kids, typically ranging from two to ten participants, who share similar psychological or developmental issues.

This approach provides a unique environment where children and adolescents can interact with their peers under the guidance of one or more therapists. It allows therapists to observe and guide interactions among group members, which can be particularly insightful for addressing social skills, social anxiety, and other interpersonal challenges.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a structured, short-term treatment that focuses on improving interpersonal functioning and relieving negative mental health symptoms. It is particularly effective for children and adolescents dealing with depression or relationship issues.

IPT is based on the idea that psychological symptoms can be understood as a response to current interpersonal issues. It focuses on four areas

Conflict in relationships
Life changes that affect feelings about oneself and others
Grief and loss
Difficulties in starting or sustaining relationships.

Mentalization-based treatment (MBT)

MBT is a therapeutic approach that enhances a child's capacity to understand and interpret their own mental states as well as those of others.

This form of therapy is particularly beneficial for those aged 5 to 12 years who experience emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties. MBT helps kids make sense of their own mind and the minds of those around them. These skills are important for emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills.

Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

Parent-child interaction therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed for young children with behavioral problems. It is typically used for children aged 2 to 7 years, but can also be adapted for older children up to the age of 10. PCIT focuses on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns.

PCIT sessions are unique in that they involve real-time coaching from the therapist. Parents interact with their child in a playroom while the therapist observes and provides immediate feedback and guidance through a headset that the parent is wearing. This setup allows for the direct application and practice of skills during therapy sessions.

Play therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic technique primarily used to help children express themselves and resolve psychological issues. Through play, children can explore their emotions, express themselves, and address unresolved trauma in a way that is natural and comfortable for them. This form of therapy is beneficial for a wide range of difficulties, including emotional and behavioral challenges, trauma, and developmental disorders like autism.

For adolescents, play therapy is adapted to suit their developmental stage and may include more structured activities. It is an effective means for teens to navigate their thoughts and feelings in a non-confrontational, non-judgmental, and non-threatening manner. The hands-on experience of play therapy provides teens with a comfort zone where they can freely express themselves and work through issues that might be difficult to articulate with words alone.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an approach that delves into the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its primary focus is to reveal the child’s unconscious or unspoken inner struggles to decrease negative mental health symptoms.

For younger children or teens with learning or developmental disorders, psychodynamic therapy may involve play to help them express their feelings and work through issues, as they may have difficulty talking directly about their emotions. The therapist observes the child's play and interactions to gain insight into their unconscious thoughts and feelings.

With adolescents, the therapy may be more conversation-based, addressing issues such as identity, relationships, and emerging independence. The therapist and teen work together to explore the teen's thoughts and feelings, and how these relate to their behavior.

Supportive therapy

Supportive therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to bolster a young person's self-esteem, self-reliance, and overall well-being. It provides a supportive environment where children and teens can express their feelings, identify their strengths, and work through their problems. Therapists validate kids’ feelings and provide positive reinforcement to help them learn to express themselves in constructive ways.

Supportive therapy can be particularly beneficial for children and teens dealing with behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, and the effects of trauma or loss. It can also be used to help children and teens manage their emotions, improve their social skills, and enhance their problem-solving abilities.

Some children can benefit more from traditional therapy when it is combined with medication. For instance, teens with depression may benefit more from CBT when they are also taking an antidepressant.

The Emotional Benefits of Mental Health Therapy for Kids

Changing negative thoughts and patterns

Mental health therapy is instrumental in helping children and teens alter negative thought patterns. These patterns, often characterized by self-blame, pessimism, and unrealistic expectations, can increase feelings of anxiety and depression. Therapy provides a safe space for children to identify these negative thoughts and understand their impact on emotions and behaviors.

Reframing or restructuring thoughts is not instantaneous, but a skill that children learn and improve over time. As they practice, they become more adept at recognizing negative thought patterns and replacing them with more positive and realistic ones.

Controlling anger

Managing anger is a vital part of emotional regulation for children and adolescents. Mental health therapy provides tools and strategies to help kids understand the triggers of their anger and how to respond in a healthier manner. Techniques such as identifying triggers, developing coping skills, and learning relaxation strategies are often taught during therapy.

Processing trauma and grief

Mental health therapy can help kids process trauma and grief. Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where children can express their feelings and learn to understand and cope with their experiences.

Therapists help children identify their emotions related to traumatic events or loss and guide them in expressing these feelings in healthy ways. They also introduce coping skills that can help children manage their reactions to triggers and work through their grief.

Managing depression and anxiety

Mental health therapy has been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in children. It helps kids understand their feelings, identify negative thought patterns, and develop better coping strategies.

In addition to these immediate benefits, therapy can have long-term positive impacts. It can help reduce problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships, contributing to healthy development into adulthood. The skills learned in therapy can be lifelong tools for managing mental health.

Understanding the difference between fantasy and reality

Mental health therapy is important for children and teens who are at risk of schizophrenia or who struggle with distinguishing between fantasy and reality due to cognitive or developmental challenges. Therapy can help manage symptoms, reduce problematic behaviors, and improve self-esteem. It can also help children cope with hallucinations and delusions, which are common in conditions like schizophrenia.

Dealing with suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Mental health therapy can help children and teens who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or self-harm. Through therapy, they can learn to manage their emotions, develop better coping skills, and build resilience.

Therapists can help kids in crisis understand their feelings and thoughts, providing them with strategies to deal with extremely negative emotions. Therapy can also provide a safe and supportive environment where children can express their feelings without judgment. This can help them feel understood and less isolated, which is important in reducing feelings of despair and hopelessness that often accompany suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors.

If your child is in crisis or is considering suicide, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Immediate help is available 24/7. You can also chat with a counselor on their website at 988lifeline.org.

Overcoming obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors

Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can present as persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts like counting steps (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions can be distressing and time-consuming, often interfering with daily activities, school performance, and social interactions.

For instance, a child might be preoccupied with cleanliness, leading to excessive hand-washing. Or they might have a compulsion to arrange objects in a specific order out of an irrational fear of a bad outcome.

Mental health therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP), can be highly effective in helping children and teens overcome these issues.

In this type of therapy, children are gradually exposed to their feared obsessions, such as germs, and then taught ways to resist the urge to perform their compulsive rituals.

Over time, therapy helps decrease obsessions and compulsions, which can reduce anxiety and improve the child's ability to function in daily life. This treatment may be challenging, but many find that confronting their obsessions ultimately leads to improvement or even resolution of the anxiety.

Improving Children’s Relationships Through Therapy

Learning emotional regulation skills

Emotional regulation is the ability to understand, manage, and appropriately express emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. Kids and adults with highly developed emotional regulation skills are able to manage their emotions effectively even during periods of stress. They are able to think clearly and stay relatively calm when life throws them a curveball.

Children learn emotional regulation skills from their parents, caregivers, and other adults in their lives. They also learn these skills from their peers and from their own experiences. However, some children need extra help learning these skills, and that's where mental health therapy can be beneficial.

Through therapy, children can develop skills to recognize and label different emotions, understand the triggers that lead to emotional reactions, and use strategies to cope with and regulate those emotions effectively.

Practicing social skills

Some kids struggle with social interactions, including recognizing facial expressions and body language patterns. Mental health therapy can provide a safe environment for these children to learn and practice better social skills. Therapy can be provided in individual therapy sessions or social skills groups.

Many school districts and outpatient clinics offer social skills groups for children who have autism or other developmental issues like nonverbal learning disorder. These groups can help kids establish friendships and improve their ability to maintain relationships with others.

Managing conflict better

Therapists can help children and teens understand the source of conflicts, identify their emotions related to the conflicts, and develop coping skills to manage their emotions. This might involve teaching them practical skills such as active listening, respectful communication, and problem-solving.

For kids with developmental challenges, therapy can provide a judgment-free environment where they can practice these skills and learn to manage conflicts effectively. This can be beneficial in reducing stress, promoting general wellness, and improving interpersonal relationships.

Building empathy

Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is not only a cornerstone of emotional intelligence but also a key factor in fostering positive social interactions and relationships.

Therapy can help children who struggle with empathy by teaching them to recognize and understand their own emotions, which in turn can help them relate to the emotions of others.

For instance, play therapy is a method often used with children, where therapists can nurture empathy by creating an environment that encourages emotional intelligence and moral development. Through play, children can experience empathy for themselves and others, which can translate into self-compassion and gentleness.

For teenagers, therapy can provide strategies and exercises to develop empathy. By modeling empathetic behavior and encouraging teens to imagine themselves in others' shoes, therapists can help them understand the importance of empathy in their daily lives. This understanding can lead to improved relationships, increased engagement in school, and improved self-esteem.

Improving communication skills

Therapy can provide the tools and strategies necessary to improve a child's communication skills.

Some children have a difficult time learning the difference between assertive communication and aggressive communication. Assertive communication empowers children to stand up for themselves and their needs without being hurtful or mean. This skill is essential for children to advocate for themselves both at school and at home, enabling them to express their needs and concerns effectively.

Therapy can help children articulate their thoughts, feelings, and needs more effectively, reducing misunderstandings and frustrations. Therapists use various techniques, such as play therapy, storytelling, and art, to help children express themselves. These methods provide a safe and engaging platform for children to communicate their experiences and emotions.

In addition to verbal communication, therapy can also enhance non-verbal communication skills, such as body language, gestures, and facial expressions. This can improve children's social interactions and relationships with peers and adults.

How Mental Health Therapy Can Help Kids Improve Their Executive Skills

Executive skills, also known as executive functions, are a set of cognitive processes that help us manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. These skills include working memory (holding and manipulating information in mind), flexible thinking (adjusting to new rules or priorities), and self-control (resisting impulses and focusing attention). They enable us to plan, organize, start tasks, manage time well, and persevere through challenges.

Babies are not born with mature executive skills. They develop executive skills through life experience and the natural process of brain development. Some executive skills are not fully developed until well into adulthood.

Children with developmental disabilities or learning disorders often have immature or delayed executive functioning. This can impact their social skills and school performance.

Supporting task initiation and completion

The ability to independently start and stop tasks in the presence of distractions is important for success in school and social settings. When these skills are underdeveloped, children may struggle with getting started on homework, following through with chores, or even engaging in play, which can lead to frustration and a sense of inadequacy.

Therapy can address these challenges by helping children develop strategies to overcome procrastination and disorganization. Therapists can work with children to set achievable goals, break tasks into manageable steps, and use tools like checklists and timers to aid in task management. Additionally, therapy can help children understand and manage the emotions that often accompany difficulties with task initiation, such as anxiety or a lack of motivation.

Increasing attention and concentration

When children struggle with attention and concentration, they may have difficulty focusing on tasks, following instructions, or controlling impulsive behavior, which can impact their academic performance and social skills.

Mental health therapists use a variety of strategies to help kids with attention deficits, including cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral strategies. For kids with learning disorders like ADHD, the effectiveness of therapy may be increased when combined with the use of a stimulant medication like Ritalin.

Improving organizational skills

The development of organizational skills is important for a child’s academic performance, self-care abilities such as dressing and bathing, and overall independence. When these skills are underdeveloped, children may struggle with tasks such as managing time, planning ahead, and staying focused. They may frequently misplace items, fail to complete their homework due to a lack of necessary materials, or struggle with research for school essays.

Mental health therapy can play a significant role in helping children improve these skills. Therapists can help children learn strategies to manage their time, plan effectively, and stay organized. This can involve specific techniques such as creating checklists, establishing routines, and using visual aids.

Helping kids manage their impulses

Children who are impulsive often can’t predict the consequences of their actions, which can lead to challenges at home, in school, and with friends. Mental health therapy, particularly behavioral therapy, can help these children learn to pause and think before they act.

Therapists work with kids to recognize the situations that trigger impulsive behavior and teach them strategies to delay their responses, such as counting to ten or taking deep breaths. These techniques give children the chance to make more thoughtful decisions.

For some children, especially those with ADHD, combining therapy with stimulant medications like Ritalin can be effective in improving impulse control. This combination helps address both the behavioral patterns and the neurological issues that contribute to impulsivity.

Developing cognitive flexibility

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between different concepts or to adapt to new environments, rules, or strategies. It's a key skill that allows children to learn, solve problems, and understand others' perspectives.

When cognitive flexibility is underdeveloped, children may struggle with changes in routine, have difficulty understanding different points of view, or find it hard to come up with new solutions to problems.

Mental health therapy can help children improve this skill. Therapists can use various techniques to help children learn to adapt to new situations, think about problems in different ways, and understand others' perspectives. For example, they might use role-playing exercises to help children practice seeing things from different viewpoints, or problem-solving games to encourage flexible thinking.

Promoting Resilience & Independence Through Therapy

Building confidence and self-esteem

Confidence and self-esteem are fundamental to a child's mental health and overall well-being, influencing their ability to overcome challenges, form healthy relationships, and achieve their goals.

Low confidence and self-esteem can lead to issues like social anxiety, poor grades at school, and vulnerability to peer pressure. In contrast, high self-esteem can promote resilience, problem-solving skills, and a positive outlook on life.

Therapists can help kids recognize their strengths, teach them to challenge negative self-talk, and encourage them to set and achieve realistic goals. Therapy can also provide a safe space for children to express their feelings and receive validation, which can boost their self-esteem.

Reducing risk and establishing safe behaviors

Young children and teens often engage in risky behaviors due to impulsivity, peer pressure, and a lack of understanding of potential consequences. Therapy can help by providing a structured environment where they can learn about the dangers associated with certain behaviors and the long-term impact they may have on their lives and the lives of others.

By building self-esteem and self-control, therapy can also reduce the appeal of risk-taking as a means of seeking validation or excitement. A therapist can also work with a child’s family, teaching parents how to support their children in making safer choices and setting appropriate boundaries.

Establishing routines and structure

Routines provide a sense of security and predictability, which can help reduce anxiety and behavioral issues. They also support the development of self-regulation skills, which are important for emotional and mental health.

By establishing clear expectations and consistent responses, therapy can help children learn to navigate their daily lives more easily. This can include setting specific times for homework, meals, and bedtime, which are all important habits.

For parents, therapy can offer guidance on how to support their children in maintaining these routines, creating a stable and supportive home environment. Therapists can teach parents how to enforce boundaries, how to manage a child’s emotions when he disagrees with boundaries, and how to manage their own emotions to help maintain consistent habits.

Developing gray area thinking

Gray area thinking involves understanding that not everything in life is clear-cut or falls into simple categories of right and wrong. It's about recognizing the nuances and complexities in situations.

Children who lack gray area thinking may see the world in a very black-and-white manner, struggling to grasp subtleties or middle-ground solutions. This type of thinking is common in children with learning disorders like autism, where rigid thinking patterns can make it hard to understand abstract concepts or empathize with others' viewpoints.

Mental health therapy can help these children by introducing them to the concept of gray areas through discussions, storytelling, and role-playing exercises.

Therapists can guide children to consider different outcomes and perspectives, helping them to understand that there can be more than one right answer or way of doing things.

By practicing these skills in a supportive environment, children can learn to be more flexible in their thinking, which can improve their problem-solving abilities and social interactions.

Managing life with a chronic illness or disability

Kids with chronic illnesses or disabilities face physical, cognitive, social, and emotional hurdles that can limit their ability to engage in activities they enjoy or aspire to do. Therapy can provide a supportive environment where they can express their feelings, learn to cope with their condition, and build resilience.

Therapists can help children and teens understand their condition, advocate for their needs, and navigate the social and emotional challenges associated with their illness or disability. This can include dealing with feelings of being different, managing stress, and addressing ableism. Therapy can also help them recognize their strengths and abilities, fostering a sense of self-worth and confidence.

Dealing with cultural identity issues and racism

Cultural and ethnic identity issues arise early in life and can lead to confusion, distress, and even harmful behavior if not addressed. A strong cultural and ethnic identity can serve as a protective factor, contributing to positive mental health outcomes.

Therapists can provide a safe space for kids to explore their cultural and ethnic identities, helping them understand what makes them unique and how it influences their worldview. They can also help them manage the stress and conflicts that may arise from cultural differences, particularly if their home and school environments have different cultural values.

Therapy can help children deal with racism in several ways.

Promoting understanding and awareness: Therapy can help children understand the concept of racism, its impact, and how it manifests in society.
Developing coping strategies: Therapists can help children develop coping skills to deal with experiences of racism. This can include teaching them how to respond to negative racial encounters, manage race-related stress, and maintain their mental well-being.
Building resilience: Therapy can help children build resilience against the harmful effects of racism. This can involve fostering a strong racial identity, promoting self-esteem, and encouraging personal commitments to treat people fairly regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Addressing emotional well-being: Experiences of racism can lead to serious emotional distress, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therapists can help children process these emotions and provide support for their emotional well-being.
Providing a safe space for discussion: Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for children to discuss their experiences and feelings related to racism. This can help them process their experiences and can also help them feel validated and understood.
Addressing systemic issues: Therapy can also address the systemic and structural aspects of racism, helping children understand these larger societal issues and how they can contribute to change.
Supporting parents and caregivers: Therapists can also provide support and guidance to parents and caregivers, helping them talk to their children about race and racism, and supporting them in their efforts to protect their children from the harmful effects of racism.

Supporting LGBTQ+ kids in therapy

Therapy can be an important support system for children and teens who identify as LGBTQ+. These kids often face unique challenges, including societal stigma, discrimination, and internal struggles with their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Therapists can provide a safe and affirming environment where LGBTQ+ kids can explore their feelings and identities without fear of judgment. They can help children understand their sexual orientation or gender identity, cope with the associated challenges, and build resilience.

Therapy can also provide strategies to manage stress, improve self-esteem, and navigate social situations related to their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Dealing with substance abuse & addiction

Substance abuse and addiction can have profound effects on children, whether they are the ones suffering from the disorder or they are dealing with it within their families. Mental health therapy can play an important role in helping children overcome these challenges.

Children with mental health disorders are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders, and substance use can exacerbate their mental health issues over time. Moreover, substance use disorders (SUDs) can have a significant impact on families, causing economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence. Children living in such environments are at an increased risk of developing an SUD themselves.

Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy can help children learn how to manage their emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships.

Recovering from eating disorders and body image problems

Recovering from eating disorders and body image problems can be a challenging journey for children, and mental health therapy plays a important role in this process. Cognitive bhavioral therapy, for instance, is a widely used approach that helps children understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. It aims to lessen a child's anxiety about eating by changing the beliefs or behaviors that contribute to the disorder.

During therapy sessions, children learn strategies for modifying their thoughts and responding differently to situations, thereby gaining a better sense of control over their thoughts, behavior, and eating patterns.