Cognitive-behavioral
therapy teaches children/adolcescents to react differently to the
situations and bodily sensations that trigger unwanted
symptoms. I use
coginitive-behavioral techniques in therapy with children because
of the important role that thinking has in how we feel and what we
do.
When unwanted emotions or behaviors emerge in play or through
specific exercises, I often educate using cognitive-behavioral
techniques. For instance, I teach about the link between a negative
thought (i.e. 'I can't do it!'), the feeling that follows (i.e. I'm
so mad!) and the behavior that occurs (i.e. giving up).
I offer new approaches to dilemmas so that children/adolescents
learn better choices for managing themselves and difficult
situations. I talk about how when our brains are healthy, it is our
thinking that helps us feel good and make healthy choices. I
encourage 'homework' between sessions, so like the multiplication
tables, new skills learned in therapy can become reliable tools in
day-to-day life.
For more information on
cognitive-behavioral therapy, please visit the National Association
of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists:http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm
