– Play therapy
While it may seem like an ordinary playtime, play therapy is much more than that. It is a form of therapy used primarily with children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults.
An expert therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore emotions and deal with unresolved trauma. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviors.
Behavior therapy is a very effective therapy for many behavior problems, bedwetting and bad habits and children and adolescents. It helps children to learn new behavior. It is suitable for young children.
- – Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective forms of therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. It helps youth to reframe their thoughts and reactions to negative emotions and experiences and teaches them specific skills to deal with adversities. Children could use CBT starting from 8 years old.
– Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
DBT is a form of CBT for teenagers who experience trouble managing or regulating their emotions. It is especially helpful for youth who struggle with impulsive behaviors, mood swings, self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, depression, anxiety, poor coping skills amongst others. Components of DBT include understanding and regulating emotions, tolerating distress, practicing mindfulness, learning new problem solving skills and maintaining satisfying relationships with others.
– Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT is based on helping youth accept and embrace their thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them or feeling guilty about them. This will in turn help them take actions and move towards what is important and meaningful in their lives. Youth with anxiety and depression can benefit from this form of therapy.
- – Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Many children get exposed to several types of traumatic events like loss, bullying, sexual and physical abuse. Recognized by the WHO in 2013, EMDR is an effective therapy for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events as it has been found to reduce post traumatic stress and other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in youth.
After experiencing psychological trauma, memories become “frozen in time” and remembering this event may feel as bad as going through it the first time. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way child or youth see the world and relate to other people. This form of therapy has a direct effect on the way that the brain processes these memories, in the sense that the person no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings with all the related stressful symptoms when the event is recalled.
In session the therapist asks the child to think about the upsetting event and the therapist help the child to process it using bilateral brain stimulation (eye movements, tapping, drumming)
In very young children we use the same techniques while the child is engaged in playing and sometimes in the presence of parents.
