4 Effective Forms of Counseling for Children

There are many children that will benefit from counselling. This is something that will help them deal with a problem, whether it is a parent’s marriage breaking down, grief or getting over some type of trauma.

There are different techniques available for counselling for children and each one is worth looking into.

Counselling for children – Talking about feelings

This is one of the most common forms of counselling and is something that everyone should try. There are times that a child will not want to talk or be too scared about it, especially when it comes to a close family member or friend. This will lead to looking for a professional to help. The benefit of talking to someone who the child does not know is that they will not feel judged for letting their secrets out.

Cognitive therapy

For some types of emotions and mental states, using cognitive behavior therapy is often the best option in counselling for children. This will help the child train his or her brain to think differently.

The emotions will still be there but the child will learn how to deal with them in a positive manner.

This has helped many people deal with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The idea is to think positively instead of always looking at the negative or scary side of things. Some of the time, the silver lining will not be visible until a much later date but always keep in mind that it is there.

Group therapy

Not all children will want to talk by themselves and group therapy is often used, especially in cases of grief or trauma. The benefit of this kind of counselling for children is that a child will realize that he or she is not the only person to go through something like this and will be able to take advice from other children instead of listening to a psychologist’s thoughts.

Group Therapy may also mean family therapy, which is something to consider if the whole family is going through something or has been through something. This will help the child to know that the whole family is together and all receiving help. A child will then be willing to talk to parents about what is upsetting them.

Play therapy

This is effective, especially for the younger children. The benefit of play and creative therapy is that children are able to pick up a hobby to help with communicating feelings. They will be more at ease drawing a picture or telling a story, instead of talking about their feelings. Younger children will also be able to communicate better – after all, some will refuse to talk after a traumatic event. A child will also be able to act something out that they do not quite understand in their head enough to talk about.

The therapist who uses counselling for children is also able to use play to help show techniques that a child can use to get through the problem. Children are more receptive when something it taken to their own level and it easy to understand.

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