What are CBT Techniques for Kids?
CBT in St. Louis is a commonly used type of talk therapy used to help recognize and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
When working with young kids, CBT can be adapted into a more practical approach that can be used in everyday life situations. It’s a great way for children to learn about how negative thinking can impact their life and to discover more positive ways of thinking to respond differently in stressful situations to improve them, rather than making them worse.
It can be super helpful for child through the development of realistic strategies to improve their lives.
The goal is to help your child adopt these strategies into their every day life so it becomes a habit and the strategies can follow them throughout their life.
In CBT therapy for children, goals are discussed and a treatment plan is developed. This can sometimes happen between the therapist and child, or the therapist, child, and parent.
Image credit: Tanaphong Toochinda @daen_2chinda on Unsplash
The techniques taught in CBT therapy for kids in St. Louis are ones that can be used right off the bat, which is why it’s so much more than just talk therapy - your child’s therapist will work with them to acquire tangible ways to take back control over their lives, ultimately leaving your child empowered.
CBT techniques can be conducted in a number of ways, such as play therapy or art therapy. Play and art therapy can be super beneficial for kids in therapy as it helps to give them an outlet to express themselves, while keeping them engaged in therapy. It may include arts, crafts, dolls, puppets, different play activities, or even role-playing to help your child address problems and work out solutions. Other techniques include TF-CBT, modeling, and restructuring.
Read more: TF-CBT
Modeling can be similar to role-play as the therapist may act out how the child can respond in a more helpful, desired behavior, such as expressing emotions, and then ask the child to do the same.
Restructuring is a way for the therapist to help a child take a negative thought and flip it into something more positive. For example, “I received a bad grade, I’m a total loser” can become “This grade wasn’t what I expected, but it doesn’t define my academic ability.”
Regardless of the technique, CBT in St. Louis is often explained to children in simpler terms, in a way that will make more sense.
Sometimes worksheets will be used in CBT therapy for kids to help children visualize and understand concepts. Worksheets can help a child to understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected.
A worksheet may have drawings with blank thought bubbles for the child to fill out. The therapist may ask the child what the person in the picture is thinking about. Worksheets may include stop signs, to help the child recognize signs that they’re about to lose control.
Additionally, planners, checklists, or rewards might be used in CBT for kids to help them remember to complete tasks outside of therapy.
By replacing negative reactions with improved self-image, new coping mechanisms, problem-solving skills, and more self-control CBT can help children learn to control self defeating thoughts, tantrums, impulsivity, and defiance.
Do you feel your child would benefit from CBT? Or, do you have lingering questions? We have CBT therapists here at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis ready to help give your child their life back. You can start by scheduling a free consultation with our intake coordinator who will be happy to answer any questions that you may have and get you scheduled with one of our therapists.
Curious to hear more about CBT therapy for kids in St. Louis? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anxiety and anger management therapy for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website.
