What to Expect When Your Child Starts Therapy: A Guide for Parents

It can be a confusing process when our child first starts going to therapy. Whatever the reason, it’s probably one of the best decisions to make in relation to the responsibility we have for the harmonious upbringing of our own children, which is to give them the mental health support they need. Even though we have reached this point, it is still inevitable that we do not wonder how our child’s therapeutic process will unfold and what our role will be in this process. Many of us wonder if we will be involved in the child’s therapy or if we will stay in the “shadows”.

In general, children’s therapy works best when the therapist and parents work together. But there may be some limitations to the specific information we will be kept informed of.

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What is a child psychologist?

A child psychologist has the professional training and clinical skills to a evalua and treat the mental, emotional, social and behavioral health of infants, toddlers, children and adolescents.

Child psychologists have a deep understanding of the basic psychological needs of children and adolescents and how their family and other social contexts influence them:

Social and emotional adaptation Developmental processes Behavioral adaptation

Child psychologists also have specialist knowledge of the mental and behavioral conditions that affect them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children in the United States has a diagnosed mental, developmental, or behavioral disorder. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) explains that although 10% of children and adolescents worldwide have mental health conditions, most do not seek help or receive support. This is supported by the CDC, which states that only 20% of children with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders receive support from mental health professionals.

What exactly does a child psychologist do?

Psychologists use a wide range of procedures and skills when working with children and adolescents, including:

Assessment of psychological, intellectual, cognitive and behavioral problems through testing and assessment. Using intervention such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) and behavior management. Development of prevention programs, such as prevention of aggression, addictions, teenage pregnancy, etc. Consultation with other professionals and health care providers who work with children. Child psychologists are often included in the comprehensive care of children with medical problems. For example, they can help children with sleep difficulties or chronic pain, or those dealing with a chronic illness.

Emotional, mental and behavioral conditions affecting children are often treated differently than adults due to differences in age, cognitive levels and maturity. Because of this, child psychologists may use several different types of therapy techniques depending on the child’s age and unique situation. Depending on the child’s age and needs, the psychologist may work only with the parents (or guardian) to help with parenting skills or to best address the child’s behaviors.

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Article date: 04/09/2023

2023-09-04 19:55:24
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