Therapy is a valuable tool to help people overcome trauma, emotional challenges, behavioral issues, and more. However, many assume that only adults can seek therapy. In reality, anyone of any age can benefit from therapy depending on their situation, and children’s therapy is no exception.
Some professionals in the mental health sector focus specifically on children because this population is typically underserved compared to adult services. Children’s therapy often takes on a slightly different form, incorporating activities such as play therapy that may be more suitable for children.
For parents considering therapy for their child, it is essential to understand what age is appropriate to start treatment and how such care might be conducted if they schedule an appointment.
Is There Such a Thing as Too Early?
In general, no child is too young to participate in therapy. Yes, even toddlers can benefit! It is essential to understand that when an issue arises, the earlier it is addressed, the more effective the treatment can be. Parents provide their children with services by enrolling them in therapy as soon as possible, regardless of age, if treatment would be beneficial.
With this in mind, parents can approach therapy confidently. Be aware that both the parents and child are likely to participate together until the child is in the later stages of elementary school and beyond.
Therapy Considerations for Each Age Group
Children’s therapy often looks different from adult therapy for many reasons. Children have not yet developed the same intellectual capacity as adults, they may not respond to “boring” sessions full of nothing but talking, or they may not have the emotional regulation to flourish during standard sessions.
A good children’s therapist will adjust the content of their treatment to suit the age of their patient. Also, therapists help patients of all ages learn the skills needed to handle issues that arise.
Toddlers
At this age, the parents have a significant role in their child’s therapy sessions. They learn how to engage with the child, address their emotional needs and behaviors, and create positive situations at home that lead to growth over time. Toddlers can also be taught to self-soothe and adapt more favorably to stressors.
Preschoolers
By the time they are in preschool, children are developing their opinions and communication skills. However, they are rarely able to articulate their thoughts clearly, weigh other opinions, or reflect on actions. Children’s therapists treating this age group often focus on play therapy and other hands-on activities that resonate with the child rather than focusing on talk therapy alone.
Elementary Schoolers
Children in grade school have developed a greater capacity for reflective thought, a sense of consequences, and a growing emotional range encompassing more nuanced feelings such as bittersweetness or insecurity.
They are ready for talk-based approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy. However, therapists often still rely on a multifaceted approach that meets children where they are, whether through expression in art therapy, further play therapy, journaling, or other treatment.
Middle and High Schoolers
As children develop into teenagers and beyond, they come into their more solidified personalities. This means they are becoming more set in their habits and thought processes, making treatment at this stage essential to halt problematic developments before they worsen and become ingrained.
Adolescents who participate in therapy might only talk with the therapist, but the breadth of potential treatments and strategies widens. They may learn strategies to express themselves (especially during puberty), practice positive coping skills, and create a plan for their lives that leaves them inspired rather than overwhelmed or self-conscious.
Young Adults
Contrary to popular belief, a person does not need to be an adult to start therapy; despite this, many people wait until they are adults to seek mental healthcare. Children ages 18 and 19 may still be teenagers.
Still, they are considered adults, and they do not need to have significant experience outside their parents’ home or in the working world before seeking therapy. They may be facing challenges that are important to them and issues that are dampening their ability to journey confidently into the future, and a therapist may still be able to help.
Seek Help From a Children’s Therapy Professional as Soon as Necessary
Children’s therapy can start at any age, depending on how the child is adapting to life and whether they have experienced trauma that has altered their emotional or behavioral well-being. If you are unsure whether your child needs therapy or you want to begin the process, contact Village Counseling today.
Our children’s therapists understand the particular approaches that are often required to communicate well with younger patients so they can find the greatest success during treatment.