What Is Children's Therapy? How Child Therapy Supports Mental Health

Children's therapy is a form of mental health support that can help a child understand feelings, cope with challenges, and build new skills. Therapy for kids may look like conversation, play, or creative activities, often with parents or caregivers involved. A licensed child therapist can adapt each session to a child's age and needs.

What happens in children's therapy?

Sessions often center on helping a child put thoughts and feelings into words or actions, at a pace that suits their age. The first visits may focus on getting to know the child and family and agreeing on goals. Over time, the therapist may teach coping skills the child can practice at home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that therapy with children can include talking, playing, or other activities. Children may express emotions differently from adults, so using different approaches can be helpful.

Child therapists are trained in developmental needs and often draw from several approaches. With older children and teens, the CDC notes therapists can also work directly with the child to teach skills, while parents stay involved. Parents can read about how talk therapy works.

Knowing what to expect in therapy can also help you spot when a child might benefit.

Signs your child may benefit from therapy

A child may benefit from an evaluation when mood or behavior changes last for weeks, cause distress, or affect home, school, or friendships. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) details a variety of possible signs in its guidance on when to seek help.

In younger children, NIMH lists signs such as:

• Frequent tantrums or irritability much of the time
• Ongoing fear or worry
• Little interest in playing with other children
• A recent decline in grades

For older children and teens, NIMH lists:

• Lost interest in things they used to enjoy
• Low energy
• Sleep changes
• Spending more time alone or avoiding friends

In some cases, teachers may reach out about changes in attention or focus. School counselors may also provide referrals to local providers.

Parents weighing whether to contact a pediatric therapist can explore signs a child may need pediatric counseling.

Signs can appear early, which may raise questions about age.

At what age can a child start therapy?

Therapy doesn't have one set starting age. Preschool-age children may take part when emotions or behaviors cause lasting difficulty, usually with a parent or caregiver closely involved. The CDC notes that therapy with young children commonly includes caregivers directly, so a 4-year-old's sessions may look quite different from a teen's.

For babies and toddlers, support may begin with early intervention. As noted by the CDC, these early intervention programs serve young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. For a child age 3 or older, the CDC suggests calling a local public elementary school about an evaluation.

Whether a child is 4 or 14, the next question is often which kind of therapy might fit.

Types of therapy for children

Children's therapy can take many forms, depending on the therapist and the child's needs. Some approaches focus on thoughts and behaviors, while others use play or involve the whole family. The table below compares common options, followed by a closer look at each.

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach a child to notice unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more constructive ones. It may also offer skills for coping with situations that feel uncomfortable.

According to the CDC, CBT can work well for anxiety disorders, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. The CDC lists post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), too.

In CBT for kids, a therapist may use games or worksheets to make skills feel concrete. Parents can learn more about how cognitive behavioral therapy works.

Behavior therapy and parent training

When a child's behavior feels hard to manage, therapy may focus on the adults around them. In parent training, a therapist can coach caregivers on consistent routines, specific praise, and predictable consequences.

According to the CDC, parent training in behavior management can work well for disruptive behavior disorders. The CDC also describes behavior therapy as an effective treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This kind of therapy may help parents respond to outbursts with more confidence. Families can explore more benefits of behavioral therapy.

Play therapy

Play therapy can let kids process emotions through toys and games. According to the Association for Play Therapy (APT), licensed professionals use play to help children express themselves, most often ages 3 to 12. APT describes play as the "language" of the child.

APT notes play therapy can follow structured models, such as child-centered or cognitive-behavioral. Parents can browse common play therapy activities.

Trauma-focused therapy

Some children live through natural disasters, the sudden loss of a loved one, or abuse. Some child therapists train specifically to help with these and other traumatic experiences.

As noted by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based approach that can help youth ages 3 to 18 with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other related challenges. Caregivers take part, too.

According to NCTSN, trials have found improvements in children's PTSD within 8 to 25 sessions, though timelines can differ.

Grief therapy

After a death, grief counseling can help a child find healthy ways to express emotions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains how children understand death differently by age:

• Preschoolers often see death as temporary.
• School-age children may grasp that death is permanent, on average between ages 5 and 7.
• Teens may view death more like adults but might not open up about their feelings.

The AAP suggests talking with your child's doctor if trouble with sleep, school, or eating persists. Because grief can affect the whole household, family therapy may also help.

Family therapy

Sessions that include the household can support a child alongside the people they live with. Children with behavioral concerns may hear frequent negative feedback at home, which can affect self-esteem.

A therapist can work with parents on behavior plans and positive reinforcement. Family counseling may also improve communication, so everyone feels heard.

Beyond the family, some children find comfort in meeting peers.

Therapy groups for children

Therapy for children can be done one-on-one or in groups. In group therapy, children and parents can connect with others experiencing similar challenges while receiving professional support from a trained therapist.

Parents can ask how a program adapts to their child's needs and comfort.

Beyond therapy groups, other specialists can focus on communication and physical development.

Speech and other developmental therapies

Children with speech or language challenges may benefit from speech therapy. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) explains what speech-language pathologists do: identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing problems, including articulation and fluency.

Families can find in-person or online speech therapy options. With so many choices, it's natural to wonder which approach might fit best.

What type of therapy is best for children?

The right type of therapy depends on a child's needs, age, and what's causing them difficulty. A therapist can help families weigh options as a child grows.

According to the CDC, a good first step can be an evaluation with your child's primary care provider or a mental health specialist. A pediatrician may first check for factors like sleep or hearing that could affect behavior.

Reading about common types of talk therapy may help you prepare.

Once you have a direction in mind, the next step is helping your child feel ready.

How to talk to your child about therapy

Talking with your child about therapy may go more smoothly when you keep the message simple, calm, and positive. The Child Mind Institute offers tips for talking to kids about starting therapy, including how to frame the first appointment. These steps draw on that guidance:

1. Explain that going to therapy doesn't mean something is wrong with them.
2. Use simple language with young children, and remind them about the appointment a few times.
3. Choose a calm moment, rather than bedtime or the middle of a conflict.
4. Avoid presenting therapy as a punishment.
5. Focus on how therapy can help tweens and teens, rather than on "fixing" them.

According to the Child Mind Institute, some kids with anxiety may do better with a couple of days' notice. Your involvement can continue well after that first visit.

What is a parent's role in child therapy?

Parents and caregivers often play an active role in child therapy, though that role can shift with age. With young children, it's common for therapy to include parents directly, and some sessions may include only the parent. Older kids and teens may get more one-on-one time, with parent check-ins.

Between appointments, parents can help by practicing new skills at home. Your own well-being matters, too, since caregiving can be stressful.

If parenting stress is weighing on you, you can consider connecting with a licensed therapist who can help you build coping strategies.

When you feel ready, a few practical steps can help you find the right child therapist.

How to find a children's therapist

The search often starts with people who already know your child, like a pediatrician or school counselor. From there, you can look for licensed professionals who specialize in kids and notice how comfortable your child feels with them. These steps may help:

1. Talk with your child's pediatrician or primary care provider about an evaluation.
2. Check with the school counselor for local suggestions.
3. Contact your state's early intervention program if your child is under 3.
4. Ask licensed child specialists how they work with kids your child's age.

More tips can help with finding a child therapist near you.

If behavior is the main concern, tips for searching for a behavioral therapist may help narrow the field.

Parents of teens may also consider TeenCounseling, BetterHelp's sister site for ages 13 to 19. You can also learn how teen therapy can help.

As you search, support for yourself may matter, too.

Support for parents through online therapy

While BetterHelp may not offer child therapy, it can be an appropriate start to learn more about online therapy in general and get support. With BetterHelp, adults can meet with a licensed therapist from the comfort of home and schedule sessions around family routines, and research shows that online therapy can be an effective option for a range of mental health concerns.