Many adults have found cognitive behavioral therapy to be very helpful in addressing different concerns and problems they have in life. Since CBT works effectively for different ages, it is safe to say that this treatment modality can also be very helpful even for young children.
As a form of therapeutic intervention, CBT can help children gain a better understanding of their negative thoughts, replacing them with more positive ones. The therapist will discuss the goals of the CBT sessions not only with the child in question but also with their parents or caregivers.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can also guide children in the discovery of different ways to react to unforeseen events or respond to nerve-racking situations. Children can also benefit from honing new coping strategies they can apply at home, at school, and during interactions with other kids and adults.
All these strategies can act as a solid and strong foundation for their growth and development from childhood to adolescence, and adulthood.
With the help of CBT, children can improve their knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Their day-to-day tantrums
- Their impulsivity
- Their negative thoughts
- Their reactions to external factors and situations
Their negative reactions and thoughts can then be replaced with more positive ones to achieve the following:
- Healthier coping mechanisms
- Improved self-control
- More positive social interactions with other children
- Skills in solving problems
CBT interventions for children will typically entail a well-structured approach carried out in several sessions. A young client can have several sessions depending on their specific needs, ranging from six to 20 sessions.
As far as working with kids in a therapeutic context is concerned, the focus must shift from simple talk therapy to more tangible steps that they can take to boost their mental health.
CBT Techniques Applicable for Children
The following are some of the best examples of CBT methods applicable when working with younger clients:
- Exposure
Exposure is a technique where children are exposed to triggers or situations that stimulate their mental health issues. A child suffering from social anxiety, for example, might be urged to reduce their social anxiety by approaching a social situation more progressively.
- Modeling
Modeling is a CBT technique where the therapist mimics the preferred behavior they wish to implement in the client. For instance, a therapist might act out different ways of how a child can express their emotions to their parents at home or how to deal with aggressive classmates in school.
- Play Therapy
Most children tend to respond to play therapy best because of its engaging and practical nature. This type of therapy includes crafts and arts and therapeutic games like role-playing that can address the issue the therapist focuses on.