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Because children are most impacted within the context of their family, most
child therapy is done together with the parents. Adolescents are usually
treated in a combination of individual and combined sessions. Below is a
list of commonly treated conditions, with a description of how treatment is
typically approached.
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Learning Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Asperger's and Autistic Disorder
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Self-Injury
Eating Disorders
Grief
Divorce Issues
Approaches to Areas of Treatment
If ADHD is a possible diagnosis for your child, we administer a full
battery of tests before making a diagnosis or initiating treatment.
Because ADHD is a neurological disorder present at birth, it affects every
area of a child's life. Behaviors associated with ADHD include
inattentiveness, impulsivity, distractibility, poor judgment, defiance, and
social difficulties. However, just using behavior to make the
diagnosis is an irresponsible approach. In children, depression,
anxiety, learning disabilities and other conditions can present with the
same behaviors as ADHD. Consequently, in order to make a solid
diagnosis, a full battery of psycho-educational tests are administered.
By the end of this process, a diagnosis of ADHD can be made or eliminated
with confidence. Additionally, since 50% of children with ADHD also
have a learning disability, this process will also identify and learning
difficulties that are contributing to your child's difficulty.
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in children,
affecting as many as 1 in 8 between the ages of 9 and 17. Anxiety has
many faces. For some children, it is a difficulty separating from
parents. Others struggle with social anxiety. Many have a
generalized form of anxiety that is ever-present. Still others suffer
from obsessive-compulsive difficulties. The good news is that anxiety
is very treatable, with success rates as high as 80%. The most proven
effective approach to anxiety treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
The sooner children with anxiety are identified and treated, the sooner they
can get back on track with the business of growing up, learning and being
happy. Acting early can prevent a life of trials and tribulations for
anxious children and help them take back their childhoods.
It is natural for all children to feel unhappiness or a decreased
interest in activities for brief periods of time. Children, with the
help of adults, most often are able to overcome challenges and tragic life
events and adjust to new circumstances. other children experience
extreme feelings of unhappiness that can last for long periods of time.
Approximately 4% of children and 25% of adolescents experience some form of
depression, and between one-half to two-thirds of those who are seriously
depressed have at least one other mental disorder.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for depressive
disorders. This therapy teaches young people how to think differently
so they will feel better.
Children who experience learning disabilities have neurobiological
disorders that affect their ability to process information. School
districts consider only about 5% of students to have learning disabilities,
but it is believed that learning disabilities are under-diagnosed and that
up to 15% of the population may be affected. Young people with
learning disabilities are at a higher risk for other difficulties as well.
If a learning disorder is suspected, a full battery of psycho-educational
testing is done to identify the specific nature of the learning difficulty.
Treatment involves advocacy with the school and assistance at home in
learning how to help the child navigate around their area of deficit.
It also involves educating the child about their learning needs and teaching
them how to become their own advocates at school and in life activities.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes people to experience
extreme and rapid changes in mood and energy. These shifts often
result in disruptive, or even destructive, behavior that make it difficult
for children to perform at school or have normal relationships with others.
Estimates suggest that up to 1% of young people experience Bipolar Disorder;
between 20%-30% of adolescents who have an initial episode of depression
eventually develop Bipolar Disorder. Psychotherapy is helpful in
teaching children how to cope with their mood changes. Often, family
therapy is also necessary to help with the effects of the child's behavior
on the home.
Asperger's Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that can have
wide-ranging effects on children. It occurs in about .05% of children
and is more common in boys. Up to 40% of children with Asperger's also
have other mental disorders. Treatment will vary a great deal
depending upon the pattern and severity of behaviors. Most children
benefit from social skills development. Many need help developing
organizational skills. Parents also receive support in parenting and
behavior management.
Disruptive behavior disorders include oppositional defiant disorder and
conduct disorder. Identifying a disruptive behavior disorder can be
difficult because all children are angry or defiant at times. However,
a severe pattern of behavior that causes problems at school or home may
suggest a disorder. About 10% of children and adolescents have
disruptive behavior disorders. Many also have other mental
problems such as ADHD or depression. Teaching parents well-established
principles and strategies of child behavior management is the most effective
therapeutic intervention for these children. Consequently, more work
is done with the parents than with the individual child.
Self injury can include suicidal behaviors but often do not involve a
wish to be dead. The behaviors can include cutting, burning, bruising,
or otherwise mutilating self. Estimates suggest that between 1%-2% of
the U.S. population may engage in some kind of self-injury. Specific
statistics for young people are not yet available, but most professionals
agree that these behaviors are on the rise in child and adolescent
populations. Self-injury is usually a symptom of a deeper problem that
will become the focus of therapy. issues leading to the feelings that
trigger self-injury are discussed with the goal of resolving these problems.
Alternative ways of dealing with the strong feelings that precede
self-injury are also taught.
Eating disorders involve eating behaviors that are extreme.
Underlying issues in eating disorders are often psychological: about 90% of
those affected have an additional diagnosable mental disorder. Up to
4$ of the population may have anorexia or bulimia, and one-third of those
affected report their disorder began between the ages of 11 and 15.
Ninety percent of those affected are females. Eating disorders are
most effectively addressed by a multi-disciplinary team that includes
psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, nutritionists, and other medical
professionals. In addition to addressing the underlying psychological
issues, we will work together to get such a team in place as part of the
treatment process.
Children who have faced a loss in their lives have specific needs in the
grieving process. While they do grieve, they do not do so in the same way in
which adults grieve. Grief therapy is focused on identifying areas of
risk for future mental health problems that can result from unresolved
grief. Support for the family grieving process is also given.
Many children experience significant behavior and emotional disruption
following a divorce by their parents. Children can be helped by having
a safe, neutral place where they can express their feelings. Parents
can be helped to develop "good divorce behavior" that will help them act in
the best interest of their child. Co-parenting training can also be
given to assist them in making good joint decisions on behalf of their
child/ren.
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