Donate to our Scholarship Fund to assist those in financial need to obtain therapy services.
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of ways. We look to provide emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old problems. Our analysis and diagnosis of the issues might reveal a need for specific techniques to change behavior, improve relations with friends or family, or more general less anxiety, better self-esteem. As children and adolescents grow, they continue to develop in so many very important ways. Because there is no one standard development cycle for children, they can develop in unpredictable ways cognitively, emotionally, and socially. During these periods of growth, it can be difficult for families to know when a change reflects the normal challenges in child development or, rather, signs and symptoms of something that more significantly interferes with their child/teen’s happiness and functioning within the family, at school or with social connections.
What They Might Ask
Therapy might create some anxiety with your child or teen. It is important that as parents, we provide information to address their concerns. Contact our office if you are considering therapy for your child and there are questions or concern as below:
-
What is therapy and why do I have to go?
-
Do I have to take tests?
-
Do I have to go because I did something wrong?
-
Is something wrong with me?
-
Do I have to tell the therapist everything and will they tell my parents or teachers?
-
What if I do not know what to say?
-
What if I do not like the therapist?
-
What is confidential and what is not?
What to Expect
What is the goal of child/adolescent/teen therapy?
At Abiding Hope our goal is to ensure we create an experience that is individualized to the needs of each child, adolescent, or teen. We work to help your child become aware of the inner world of emotions and thoughts that often underlie symptoms. It is in this process that your child can develop ways of communicating about these emotions and thoughts.
​
What methods are used to work with my child?
Therapy works best when we find ways to meet children where they are at developmentally. Therefore, the methods used in therapy with children, adolescents, and teens are customized to the developmental stage and presenting struggles of each child. These methods may include play, art, talking, and family or parent work.
​
Are parents included in the therapy process?
Parents are an important part of the therapy process when we work with children. The format of parents’ inclusion in the therapy process will vary according to the individual needs of the child. It is critical to us that the child feels safe to express themselves without the possibility of retribution from the parent. This is why we look to do parent work alongside that of the child work to ensure a productive support system is in place.
