Child / Adolescent CBT

One of the growth areas in CBT are in stress related problems in children and adolescents.

The 6 areas which children and young people most often come for help are: -

• Anxiety and Depression (Stress)
• Bullying
• Poor Self-Esteem
• Behavioural Problems
• Test anxiety
• Anger Management

How Does CBT Work

A parent / parents usually come with the child to the first session. A series of tests to measure the symptoms of anxiety and depression are given, as well as an assessment to find out what problems have brought the child for CBT, what might be causing them, and how long they have been occurring.

A problem list is constructed with the child / parent of the areas of their life they want to improve as a result of CBT. CBT for children uses a manual designed for children / young people to teach children the relationship between:-

By identifying how negative thoughts affect mood, and behaviour – and learning to replace these with more realistic alternatives, children learn more effective ways of coping with their problems, and more effective problem-solving skills.

Working also with parents to improve their understanding of the child's developing selfhood (their wants, needs and overall picture of the world i.e. world view) to increase empathy, learning to develop listening skills to increase parents emotional attunement with their child.
 

Working also with parents long term benefits to children come from the following aspects of CBT:-

1) Increasing empathy (understanding)
2) Improving communication through listening
3) Developing emotional attunement or mirroring
4) Mentoring and protection
5) Increasing intimacy though emotional sensitivity to build a stronger emotional connection

Courses are also available in small groups under the heading of 'Parenting the gifted child' – Stress Prevention for Children (one parent must be present).