Overview

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  Children may benefit from counseling for a number of reasons. Sometimes the reasons are obvious, such as divorce, death, separation or experiencing a traumatic event. Other times a child may be suffering for reasons that are unclear. If a child is not sleeping or eating normally, is overly moody or tearful, has been acting out at home or at school, is struggling with grades or loses interest in things once important, help should be sought.
  
  

Play and Art Therapy

• Two effective counseling techniques, particularly for young children, are art and play therapy. Art therapy involves creative art activities as a method for both communicating feelings and as a way to discuss difficult topics. It is especially helpful for instances of grief, loss, abuse or trauma. Art therapy programs are often found in hospital and university settings. Play therapy is primarily for children ages 3 to 12, according to the Association for Play Therapy, and is based on a child's communication and developmental level. By using toys and play, therapists help a child communicate their emotions and thoughts, and allow children to act out difficult situations. The therapist can then demonstrate through play the healthy techniques for resolving problems and allow the child to practice these strategies.
  
  

Talk and Cognitive Therapies

• Psychoanalytic therapy, or talk therapy, for children and adolescents relies on communication to help a child understand and cope with emotional or behavioral issues, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This type of therapy is only appropriate for children old enough to communicate at the necessary level. Therapy may be used in addition to other treatments, including medication or school support. Therapy may be specifically or more generally goal-oriented, such as ending a problem behavior or lowering a child's anxieties. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is often helpful for children struggling with anxiety, stress or depression. It helps a child address and change negative thinking patterns and learn effective stress reduction techniques. The goal is to change negative or harmful behaviors and reward and support positive ones.
  
  

Individual/Group/Family Therapy

• Sometimes a child needs one-on-one therapy, however there are occasions where family therapy may be more effective. This might be due to a number of issues in the family, perhaps faulty communication patterns or past abuse or substance problems. Sometimes a child receives individual therapy and family sessions are scheduled as the need arises. Certain issues like anger control or social problems may be resolved through group therapy with peers from the same age group experiencing similar issues.