Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child therapy at Thriveworks Fort Worth.
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Fort Worth, TX have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
The licensed child therapists at Thriveworks in Fort Worth, TX can help children who are struggling with behavioral difficulties, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, trauma, and additional mental health and life obstacles. Children don’t typically have the innate resources to deal with adversity unless adults model and teach them coping skills. If parents are going through a divorce, their children might need some extra emotional support. If a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they may need to learn some strategies for succeeding socially and academically.
The mental health professionals at Thriveworks are highly qualified, compassionate, experienced providers who can help children achieve their goals—no matter what they might be. Reach out to Thriveworks Fort Worth to schedule an appointment.
What Are the Signs of Mental Health Challenges in Children?
Mental health challenges in children can manifest in thoughts and feelings, and/or in behaviors. For example, a child’s behavior might change suddenly and leave their parents confused and disoriented. What could be going on? Any of the following could be signs that a child could benefit from an assessment from a child therapist at Thriveworks in Fort Worth, TX:
- Repetitive behaviors
- Body image issues
- Low energy
- Irritability
- Appetite changes
- Sleeping issues
- Violence or aggression
- Intense worries or anxiety
- Isolation
- Alcohol or drug use
- Self-harming behaviors like cutting or burning
- Expression of suicidal thoughts
- Inexplicable stomach-aches or headaches
But problems like this don’t necessarily imply mental illnesses. A child could be experiencing some type of trauma or adverse childhood event (ACE). And if your child won’t talk to you about it, they might open up in an individual therapy session or in group therapy with a licensed professional.
What Is Child Anxiety?
Child anxiety can come in the following forms:
- Phobias
- Social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Separation anxiety
- Selective mutism
A younger child may not be able to say what they’re feeling or what they’re worried about, but adults may notice these symptoms of anxiety:
- Physical complaints
- Trouble focusing
- Severe tantrums
- Sleeping issues
- Avoidance
- Clinginess
- Extreme self-consciousness
Clinical interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach anxious children how to modify their thinking patterns so their thoughts don’t get stuck in those anxious ruts. Other anxiety therapies include talk therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices.
Book a Beneficial Child Therapy Appointment at Thriveworks in Fort Worth, TX
You can get help for your child quickly by calling the Thriveworks office in Fort Worth, TX. Most new clients can meet with their licensed therapist within the week of their initial booking. Plus, we offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.
Early intervention for mental health issues is always best, so don’t delay getting your child the help they need to flourish. Call Thriveworks today. We look forward to supporting your child!
Child Therapy — TherapyLand™
Our Fort Worth, TX office is a TherapyLand location: A positive, empowering place for kids to get the mental health care they deserve. Equipped with sandboxes, dollhouses, easels, puppets, blocks, basketball hoops, and other tools, our play therapy rooms are designed to help kids explore and express their emotions. Learn more about TherapyLand and how it could help your child.
