Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is Effective for Kids and Teens
Does your child or adolescent…
Worry excessively?
Hold onto negative thinking and have trouble seeing the positive in most situations?
Have self-defeating thoughts?
Use avoidance as a strategy to deal with difficult or scary situations?
Refuse to cooperate?
Engage in unhealthy coping strategies?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that aims to identify and replace negative thinking patterns, using positive behavioral skills to create and maintain positive moods and healthy relationships. CBT is a short term therapy that helps with self-awareness and understanding, emotional regulation, stress management, problem-solving, facing fears, and positive thinking.
This therapy approach was developed in the 1960s, and in recent years there is more and more evidence that supports its effectiveness with children and young people for numerous issues including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- School refusal and phobias
- Eating disordered and self harming behaviors
- Behavioral issues
- Sleep issues
- Emotional trauma and stress (we are trained in Trauma-focused CBT)
Our therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy to help our younger clients learn these skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
For example, we use several fun activities to teach children to recognize their “ANTS” – Automatic Negative Thoughts, and then we help them build the skills to “squash” it when they notice one!
CBT can assist even very young children in managing anxiety, OCD, or trauma when their therapist has the skills to help them understand the concepts. Of course, we also work with the parents so that they can respond in helpful ways and reinforce our work at home.
At CFCE, we help young people learn that their thoughts do not define them, that feelings and thoughts come and go like ocean waves at the shore, and that they get to decide what to pay attention to and what to let go. Our young clients typically graduate feeling empowered and more confident.
We help kids make sense of their emotional world and build up their resiliency!
Please contact us now for more information about therapy for your child, teen, or young adult.