The Complete Guide to Therapy for Children & Teens
Deciding to start therapy for your child is a big step. This guide answers the questions parents ask most: what to expect, how to find the right therapist, what types of therapy exist, and how to know if it's working.
Does my child need therapy?
Not every challenge requires therapy — but when a child's struggles are persistent, intensifying, or interfering with their ability to function at home, school, or with friends, professional support can be transformative. Common signs that therapy might help include persistent sadness, anxiety, or irritability lasting more than a few weeks, behavioral changes like withdrawal, aggression, or defiance, difficulty with transitions or major life changes, declining academic performance, sleep problems, and self-harm or talk of self-harm.
Types of therapy for children and teens
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most extensively researched therapy for children. It helps kids identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. CBT is effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD.
Behavioral therapy focuses on changing problematic behaviors through reinforcement strategies. It's particularly effective for ADHD, ODD, and behavioral disorders.
Play therapy uses play as a medium for communication and healing, making it especially effective for younger children who can't easily express their feelings verbally.
Parent coaching and parent management training involve working with parents to develop strategies that support the child's progress and change family dynamics that may be contributing to challenges.
Virtual vs. in-person therapy
Research consistently shows that virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most childhood mental health conditions. Virtual therapy offers additional benefits for families: no commute time, the comfort of home, easier scheduling, and children often feel more at ease opening up in a familiar environment.
How to find the right therapist
The therapeutic relationship is the single biggest predictor of successful therapy outcomes. When evaluating therapists, look for someone who specializes in your child's age group and presenting concern, uses evidence-based approaches, involves parents in the treatment process, and takes your insurance.
What to expect in the first session
The first therapy session (often called an intake) is primarily an information-gathering session. The therapist will ask about your child's history, current challenges, strengths, and your family's goals for therapy. Your child may or may not be present for the entire session depending on their age and the therapist's approach.
Helpful resources
- Does my child need therapy?
- Benefits of starting therapy early
- Trauma-focused CBT vs. CBT
- How therapy helps ADHD
Getting started with Emora Health
Emora Health makes starting therapy simple. We match your child with a licensed specialist in as little as 48 hours, handle the insurance paperwork, and provide flexible scheduling — all through a secure virtual platform. Most families pay $0-$30 per session.
