Understanding Different Models of Therapy for Children: What’s Best for Your Family?

As a parent, deciding how to approach your child’s therapy can feel overwhelming. With various models of therapy available, it’s important to understand the different options and what might work best for your child’s needs. Therapy for children is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach, and understanding the different formats can help you make an informed decision.

In this post, we’ll explain three common therapy models: 1:1 child sessions with a psychologist, parent and child sessions, and parent-only sessions. We’ll dive into the benefits and considerations of each model, and why a mixed model that incorporates all three can provide the most comprehensive and effective treatment for your child.

1:1 Child Sessions with a Psychologist

In 1:1 child sessions, the child meets alone with a psychologist to address their individual emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges. These sessions are tailored to the child’s needs, and the psychologist uses specialized techniques, tools, and activities to engage the child and help them develop coping skills and emotional regulation strategies.

Benefits:

• Safe space for the child: One-on-one sessions provide a private, non-judgmental environment where the child can freely express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

• Focus on child’s individual needs: These sessions allow the psychologist to assess the child’s unique strengths and challenges, tailoring the approach to their specific needs.

• Developing autonomy: Children may benefit from learning how to handle difficult emotions and behaviors independently, which can help build their resilience and self-confidence.

Considerations:

• Time to build rapport: Some children may feel anxious or reluctant to speak with a stranger, especially in the beginning. The first few sessions may be a gradual process to build trust.

• Parental involvement: While the child is the main focus in these sessions, parents may not be immediately aware of what strategies or interventions are being used unless they are involved in the process at some level.

Parent and Child Sessions

In parent and child sessions, both the parent and the child participate in therapy together. This format allows the therapist to observe the child’s behavior in real-time, while also coaching the parents on ways to collaborate with their child at home. These sessions typically aim to improve communication between the parent and child, and help parents understand how they can best support their child’s emotional and behavioral needs.

Benefits:

• Improve parent-child communication: The therapist can provide both the parent and child with tools to improve their interactions and actively practice listening, empathising and collaborating in sessions.

• Having everyone’s needs met: Parents gain deeper insights into their child’s internal world and learn how to collaborate to have everyone’s needs met.

• Parent-child bonding: These sessions can strengthen the relationship by helping parents understand their child’s struggles and create a nurturing environment at home.

• Effective strategy implementation: Parents can learn specific skills that they can use in everyday situations to help their child cope with emotional or behavioral difficulties.

Considerations:

• Need for parental involvement: For this model to work, parents must be engaged and willing to practice new strategies at home. This can be challenging if the parent is feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the process.

• Emotional intensity: Sometimes, working together in therapy can bring up strong emotions or conflict. Parents and children may need support navigating these moments.

Parent-Only Sessions

In parent-only sessions, the child is not present, and the therapist focuses on the parent’s concerns and the family dynamics as a whole. These sessions allow parents to discuss their child’s challenges, their own concerns, and any strategies they are currently using. Parent-only sessions can help parents better understand their child’s needs, explore new strategies, and feel more confident in their parenting approach.

Benefits:

• Parent support and guidance: Helping parents adjust the way they interact with their children may show rapid changes in the home environment. Often, working with a parent who is consistent and dedicated can result in faster shifts in the presenting issue, rather than working with the child alone.

• Practical strategies: Parents can learn new ways to respond to their child in a safe environment, as well as explore how to create a collaborative, nurturing environment at home. Purposefully exploring how to address challenges at home can have long term impacts to the family dynamic.

• Understanding underlying issues: These sessions can provide parents with a deeper understanding of their child’s challenges, helping them recognize patterns in behavior and emotions that may not be immediately obvious.

• Focus on self-care: Parenting a child with emotional or behavioral challenges can be exhausting. Parent-only sessions provide a space for parents to focus on their own well-being, which can help reduce burnout and improve overall family dynamics.

Considerations:

• Limited involvement with the child: While these sessions provide vital support for parents, they do not directly address the child’s needs in the same way that child-focused therapy does. However, they are a crucial part of the broader therapeutic process.

• Possible emotional difficulty: Discussing your child’s challenges in a therapeutic setting can be emotional and difficult for parents, especially if there is guilt or frustration involved. Having a supportive therapist can help navigate these feelings.

  
  

The Power of a Mixed Model: Combining All Three Types of Sessions

While each therapy model has its unique benefits, the mixed model that combines 1:1 child sessions, parent and child sessions, and parent-only sessions offers the most comprehensive approach to therapy. Here's why:

• Holistic approach: This model addresses the needs of both the child and the parent. By involving the entire family, the therapist can create a tailored plan that considers the child’s needs while also supporting the parents in managing behaviors and emotions.

• Collaboration and communication: A combination of sessions ensures that parents are not left in the dark about what’s happening in their child’s therapy. Parents can learn new strategies while also gaining a deeper understanding of the child’s perspective and progress.

• Sustained progress: Working with both the child and the parents helps ensure that the progress made in therapy is maintained and supported outside the therapy room. Parents are equipped with the tools they need to approach parenting challenges with confience and create a supportive environment at home.

• Flexibility: The mixed model provides flexibility, allowing for adjustments based on the child’s progress and the family’s needs. Some families may need more focus on child-centered therapy, while others may benefit from more parent guidance and support.

By incorporating all three types of sessions, families can achieve a more balanced, well-rounded approach to therapy that leads to long-term, sustainable results for both the child and the family unit as a whole.

Conclusion: Finding What Works for Your Family

Deciding on the best therapy model for your child can depend on many factors, such as the nature of your child’s challenges, your parenting style, and your goals for therapy. Whether you opt for 1:1 child sessions, parent-child sessions, or parent-only sessions, each model offers distinct benefits.

However, a mixed model that includes all three types of sessions is often the most effective way to achieve the best results. This approach addresses the child’s needs directly while also empowering parents with the tools they need to support their child’s development.

At Innerbloom Psychology, we offer a variety of therapy models tailored to your family’s needs. If you're interested in learning more or exploring which approach would work best for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help guide your family through this important journey.