Can my toddler get therapy?

Yes. Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 can receive child therapy. Early therapy can help address concerns such as tantrums, aggression, attachment issues, and trauma.

Child & Adolescent Therapy

Q: How to engage a resistant child in child therapy?

Engaging a resistant child in child therapy is done gradually. For children and adolescents aged 12–18, therapists introduce therapy in a supportive, non-threatening way. Child therapists at McLean Counseling Center often use non-directive approaches such as play therapy to help children feel comfortable and engaged.

Q: How to interview a therapy facility for my child?

Parents should ask key questions when interviewing a therapy facility or therapist, including their experience working with children of the same age, their overall treatment approach, and whether they are accredited by recognized mental health commissions or regulatory bodies in the United States.

Q: Why would a child need occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps children develop skills needed for daily life. It supports school-based skills such as writing, reading, and concentration, as well as physical skills like running, dressing, feeding, and other everyday activities.

Q: How long does a child need occupational therapy?

The duration of occupational therapy varies by need. Mild or short-term cases typically require 3–6 months of therapy, while more complex cases may require a year or longer to see meaningful progress.

Q: Do parents get involved in child and adolescent therapy?

Yes, parents play an important role in both child therapy and adolescent therapy. Parents are more directly involved in child therapy, while involvement in adolescent therapy is typically limited to situations where it is clinically appropriate.

McLean Counseling Center

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The modern world poses a wide variety of challenges for children and adolescents today. Parents feel a bigger burden than ever before to equip their kids with healthy coping skills. Treating a child’s mental health problems as soon as possible can help children reduce problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships. It can also help with healthy development into adulthood. Our qualified, caring child therapists and psychiatrists are here to help.

Does My Child Need Therapy?

Worrisome changes in your child’s behavior, such as withdrawal, sadness, anxiousness, frequent emotional outbursts, or a sudden disinterest in hobbies, can be signs that it may be time to speak to a professional who specializes in children’s mental health.

Children and adolescents can show emotional distress in a variety of ways:

Fighting
Arguing
Temper tantrums
Bullying their peers
Shutting down or withdrawing
Falling behind in school
Illegal or dangerous behavior
Ignoring you and other authority figures

Some of these behaviors are common and may be part of your child’s personality. But if they’re out of hand or interfere with your child’s development, it may be time to seek help.

Common Reasons for Children to Need Therapy

Parental separation or divorce
Being the victim of bullying or harassment
ADHD
Physical or sexual trauma
Alcohol or drug use
Exposure to addiction through friends or family members
Dealing with peer pressure
Stress from puberty and hormonal changes
Anxiety
Depression

How Does Child Therapy Work?

Many of our therapists are experienced working with children and adolescents. Using a combination of play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and traditional talk therapy, your child’s therapist will assess your child’s behavior, mood, and intellectual functioning. The therapist will then develop a treatment plan to address your child’s needs.

This process is designed to not only support the patient, but the child’s parents and caretakers. Your provider may suggest new parenting strategies to support your child’s development and well-being. Your child’s therapist may also recommend therapy for other family members when applicable.

FAQs About Child Therapy and Adolescent Therapy

How to engage a resistant child in child therapy?

Gradually introduce the concept of child therapy or adolescent therapy if the child is around 12-18 years. Our child therapists at McLean Counseling Center use non-direct therapy methods like play therapy.

How to interview a therapy facility for my child?

Ask these crucial questions to your child’s therapist or facility:

How much experience do you have in the field, and specifically, do you have experience dealing with children of my child’s age?
What is your overall approach to treatment?
Are you accredited by relevant mental health commissions or regulatory bodies in the USA?

Why would a child need occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps children to support their daily lives. This therapy method involves improving school-based skills to learn, such as writing, reading, and concentration. Occupational therapy also helps improve daily physical skills like running, dressing, feeding, and many more.

How long does a child need occupational therapy?

The typical time period is 3-6 months. This is usually for short-term, mild cases. This period can extend over a year to see progress if you are dealing with complex cases.

Can medication be reduced or stopped if symptoms improve?

Yes, absolutely. Even toddlers whose age is between 1 and 3 years can receive child therapy. This can help deal with issues like tantrums, aggression, attachment issues, and trauma.

Do parents get involved in child and adolescent therapy?

Yes, parents play an active role in both therapy types. However, parents directly get involved in child therapy, while in adolescent therapy, they get involved only when needed.

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