Therapy For Children & Teens

As a parent or caregiver, we naturally want what’s best for our children, especially their mental health and well-being. Mental health challenges are common amongst children and teens, but sometimes it’s hard to identify when they are struggling, or when to reach out for help. Here are some helpful signs and tips to look for if you think your child might benefit from therapy:

• Your child is dealing with a stressful situation in life (bullying, a health problem, a problem with a friend or loved one, school, or adapting to a new city/environment). 
• Sudden or severe changes in behavior. If you notice your child or teen showing sudden or severe changes in behavior such as signs of increased anger, irritability, or isolation/withdrawal, it might be beneficial for them to talk to a mental health professional. 
• They have trouble coping on their own. Most children and teens face a lot of stress or challenges with school, friends, or at home. If you notice that your child or teen begins to feel more overwhelmed or unable to cope on their own, they could benefit from learning valuable skills and strategies or by talking things out with a professional. 
• If you notice that your child or teen’s sleeping and/or eating habits are off. Significant changes can be indicative that your child is struggling in some way, and they might benefit from talking to a professional or learning effective coping skills and strategies. 

Early intervention is vital for children and teens experiencing emotional difficulties. Seeking professional DBT counseling during their formative years can lay a foundation for a happier and healthier future. If you notice changes in your child or teens behavior such as their ability to cope or express their feelings, difficulty connecting with others, an increase in isolation or withdrawing, or changes in your child or teen’s self-esteem, sleeping or eating patterns, it would be beneficial to take early action. Early intervention helps to prevent things from escalating and will help to get your child or teen back on the right track. 

It’s important that their therapist is skilled in engaging with young individuals who also creates a positive therapeutic alliance that fosters growth and healing. At DBT of South Jersey we have several trained clinicians who are able to provide that space for your child or teen.

Child therapy at DBT of South Jersey is designed to help children manage intense emotions, improve social relationships, and learn and develop skills that will help them to cope with distressing situations.  Our team has a select group of child and adolescent specialists who offer counseling for children in our Voorhees and Moorestown offices in South Jersey.

Children receive individual therapy that incorporates emotion regulation, problem solving, validation, and the importance of dialectical thinking – which balances acceptance and change all while teaching children that it’s okay to feel the way that they feel, but that we can also work on changing behaviors and patterns that aren’t helpful to us. 

Children also learn DBT-skills and practice them in-session and as homework to help build mastery and independence. 

• DBT skills include:
  • Mindfulness – learn to pay attention to what you are feeling, thinking and doing
  • Distress Tolerance – learn to cope with problems without making them worse
  • Emotion Regulation – learn to change your emotions
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness – learn how to get what you want and how to get along with others

DBT Therapy for Children (DBT-C) helps your child to recognize and understand emotions, better control their behaviors and thoughts, learn ways to effectively cope with and how to solve problems or life challenges.

DBT-C works by first instructing parents how to create a validating and change-ready environment. We then work to prepare parents to become coaches for their child so that it will help promote a supportive and validating environment. The ultimate goal of DBT-C is to teach parents and their children effective coping and problem-solving skills to help decrease vulnerabilities and distress, and to promote emotional independence and communication. 

Parents and their child will participate in:

• Individual Therapy 
  • The opportunity for children to talk about their problems, learn about their emotions, and how to become a better problem solver and control their thoughts and behaviors. 

• Parent Training
  • DBT-C helps parents support their child’s progress all while helping parents manage their own emotions. 

Learn more about DBT-C here: Child DBT | What is Dialectical Behavior for Children DBT-C?

We understand that as a parent, it can be incredibly difficult and challenging to see your child facing anxiety. You and your child might be feeling overwhelmed, but it’s important that children who have anxiety feel supported, validated, and safe. Anxiety can feel scary at times, which is why having a therapist that helps their client get to the root of what’s causing their problem is crucial. 

Finding a therapist that takes a mindfulness approach could be what’s best for your child if they are dealing with anxiety, and here’s why. Mindfulness helps teach children how to observe, describe, and label their emotions and feelings, without being judgmental towards their thoughts and behaviors. In addition, children learn the power of being able to take a step back and pause, because it allows them to be able to begin identifying what they need, and how they can rebound themselves and move forward more mindfully. Getting to the root of what’s causing their anxiety allows children to also learn how to plan ahead of those stressful situations, or identify what they might need to do if they are in a situation that brings them anxiety. 

It’s important that children participate in therapy that teaches them how to approach their anxiety with curiosity and compassion because our emotions aren’t a bad thing. They communicate to us what we need, and by taking a mindful approach, we can observe and describe what we need in an emotionally regulated way.

It’s perfectly normal and extremely beneficial for a teen to go to therapy. This is an important time for your teen’s social and emotional development, and they are also going through a lot of changes and challenges such as relationships, academic pressure, and figuring out who they are. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive outlet for teens as they navigate through all of life’s changes. Therapy doesn’t only help them with their mental health, but also with their self-esteem, confidence, decision making, problem-solving, building and maintaining relationships with others, as well as preventative care. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is helpful for adolescents especially if they struggle with emotion regulation, changes in behaviors, relationship issues, and self-destructive behaviors. 

DBT therapy helps adolescents to identify, label, and effectively manage their emotions, improve their communication and social skills, and learn effective coping strategies. In addition, DBT therapy helps to equip adolescents with the tools they need to not only understand themselves better, but to also build their confidence, manage their emotions, and improve their overall well-being as they approach adulthood. 

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a modality that can also help teens who have been struggling with stuck emotions, thoughts, sensations and behaviors. ART is an evidence based treatment for depression and can also help teens with high anxiety, perfectionism, phobias and school refusal. DBT of South Jersey has some of the only therapists in the area providing this transformative treatment, and our work with teens has already shown amazing results. 

A child and adolescent therapist plays a vital role in helping kids and teens navigate their emotional worlds. They work to create a safe, supportive environment where young clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings, all while focusing on their unique goals.

Therapists tailor their approach to fit each child’s needs, using different techniques based on their clinical training and the family’s goals. Often, this work involves building essential skills for emotional regulation, improving communication, and fostering healthier relationships.

Collaboration between the therapist, child, and family is key. By creating a strong support system that extends from therapy sessions into daily life at home, families can ensure long-term success for their child’s emotional and mental well-being.

Every parent wants the best for their child, especially when it comes to their overall well-being. Despite their age, it is important to take their behavior and expressions seriously. If you’re concerned that your child may be struggling with their mental health, there are specific signs and behaviors that could indicate they need professional support from a counselor.

Here are some signs to watch for:

• Sudden or extreme mood changes
• Withdrawal from social interactions or loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Difficulty managing emotions or frequent emotional outbursts
• Physical complaints like stomachaches, headaches, or muscle tension without a clear medical cause
• Panic or anxiety attacks
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others
• Suicidal thoughts or comments

A mental health crisis could involve some or all of these behaviors. If you recognize any of these warning signs in your child, reaching out to a mental health professional will provide them with the support they need to navigate their emotions and improve their well-being. If you are fearing your child is in immediate risk of danger, you can seek help from your local emergency screening center. There are also additional resources available if your child or teen is experiencing a mental health crisis:

• Nami – NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Call or text the 988 Lifeline
• Trans Lifeline-(877) 565-8860
• NJ Parents of children and teens in crisis can call Performcare at (877) 652-7624

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based treatment used for children and teens to help improve their self-confidence, emotion regulation, communication skills, and overall well-being. DBT and its skills and strategies can be modified to fit the needs of all ages beginning at the age of 6 through adulthood. For children and teens, involvement of their parents or guardians is essential to ensure success. Parents are encouraged to communicate and connect with their child’s therapist to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that they all work together towards the child’s goals.