Individual Child and Adolescent Therapy

Psychotherapy can help children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties with their emotions or behavior. Psychotherapy may involve an individual child, a group of children, a family, or multiple families. For children and adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, are important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems.

As part of the psychotherapy process, your FPFS therapist will determine the need for psychotherapy, including whether a formal neuropsychological assessment is indicated. Your therapist can also advise you whether other treatments (medication, behavior management, or work with the school) should be considered.

The relationship that develops between the therapist and the child or adolescent is very important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe, and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express his/her thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a helpful way.

Psychotherapy helps children and adolescents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends or family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the complexity and severity of problems. (Adapted from The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2005.)

For more information on the mental health of children and adolescents, please click here:

Mental Health Needs of Young Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services