Like adults, children too are faced with different challenges and issues in childhood. Each step of their growth comes with some difficulties that one must be familiar with to help them overcome.
Although children are generally not able to verbally express their dissatisfaction, they show it through change in their mood or behavior.
Child psychologists are trained to see and work with unique problems at each stage of a child’s life and the biological and psychological changes they experience, from birth through late adolescence and into young adulthood.
Child psychologists analyze intellectual, emotional, behavioral, family, social, and educational considerations to help children navigate their path to emotional wellness.
“Childhood is the formative period when the foundations of sound mental health and emotional well-being are laid.”
How do I know if my child needs a psychologist?
It is not strange to ask what guidelines to employ in order to determine if our child needs psychological help. Usually, it is the parents who notice abnormal child behavior.
There are times, however, when the teachers in school notice that something is amiss and they report it to the family.
If faced with thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are stopping a child from developing at a family, social, or school level, the best thing to do is consult an expert.
In this way, we can prevent abnormal behavior from turning against the child. Some of the signs we should be on the lookout for in our children are:
- Sudden change in behavior
- Significant deterioration in academic performance
- Difficulties in reading and writing
- Sudden deterioration in school performance
- Isolation from classmates, family, or friends
- Hyperactivity
- Excessive impulsiveness
- Sadness
- Decay
- Irritability
- Problems with sphincter control
- Refusal to eat
- Fears
- Nightmares
- Learning or attention problems
- Warnings from school tutors
- Lack of attention
- Separation anxiety from parents
- Many “manias” or obsessions
“If you have noticed any emotional or behavioral changes in your child, it may be time to talk to a child psychologist.”
At what age can a child go to a Therapist?
Childhood is the most vulnerable period of life where prevention and health promotion can best be carried out, especially in mental health.
It is possible to go to a child psychologist from very early stages, even from the first year of life. In the case of babies or very young children, therapeutic work will be through the parents or primary caregivers rather than directly with the children.
“ With babies or very young children, therapeutic intervention can be provided through parents. ”
What does a child therapist treat?
Child and adolescent therapists study the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of the child from birth to late adolescence and transition to adulthood. Apart from treating problems or illnesses during these stages, the work of the child psychologist is to promote the child’s mental health and emotional well-being. This goal of health promotion is achieved through evaluations, guidelines for action for parents, or brief and early interventions for children suffering from a problem.
Addressing both the child’s symptoms and the family environment is a fundamental factor in child therapy. We have a holistic work vision that takes into account multiple aspects of the child’s context in order to address the problem he or she presents in a practical and realistic way. We place special emphasis on neuropsychological evaluation, which allows us to analyze the child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses at each stage of development.
Each case is unique, and it is difficult to list all the situations in which a child and adolescent psychologist’s intervention would help restore the child’s well-being.
Below, we list the areas in which we most frequently encounter problems in children and adolescents:
- Child clinical therapist consultations often resort to play.
- Emotions
- Conduct
- Development
- Communication
- Learning or dyslexia
- Hyperactivity or attention problems
- Depression, anxiety, or obsessions
- Experiencing traumatic experiences
- Autism spectrum disorder
“ Childhood is the period where a person’s mental health is most vulnerable. ”
Child psychology or clinical child psychology? What is the difference?
It is only a university graduate in Psychology who has been trained in public hospitals in Spain to become a Specialist in Clinical Psychology that can be called a Clinical Psychologist.
The Ministry of Education awards this title and is the equivalent of the specialist title that doctors have when they completed their respective specialty during the course of MIR (Medical Resident Intern) training. In psychologists, this training lasts for the same number of years (4 years), is done in the same state hospitals, and is called PIR (Psychologist Resident Intern).
In order to have an idea of the difficulty involved in obtaining the Clinical Psychologist title, we should know that entry to this training in Spain has been limited to 300-320 places each year for the entire national territory. It is only given to those who present the best academic records and those who succeed on the entrance examination with a highly high mark.
What are child clinical psychology consultations like at Clamon Counseling?
We understand that every adolescent and child is unique, and so are the challenges that affect their concerns, emotions, and behaviors. For this reason, at Clamon Counseling, we offer child and adolescent treatment according to the child’s and family’s specific needs. Parents are a vital component of their child’s therapy.
Our child psychologist will carry out an initial evaluation in a number of sessions. It is preferable that the child come to the initial session with both parents or legal guardians.
The psychologist will need the family to assemble together or separately depending on the child’s age and the reason for the consultation. If the parents would prefer to have a private conversation without the presence of the child, they can ask to come in individually or be provided with some minutes alone during the session so that they can openly discuss the problem troubling them.
In the same manner, the session ought to be a safe space for the child to have adequate time by themselves with the psychologist as the parents wait outside. This is especially important for teenagers. As we noted at the very beginning, the assessment is carried out in more than one session, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of people involved, and the discretion of the psychologist working on the case.
Once the case has been assessed, our psychologist will develop an individualized treatment plan via behavior modification techniques, play therapy, family therapy, and parent counseling. Sessions will last approximately an hour and be held weekly or fortnightly, as determined by the family’s availability and needs.
Through the treatment, your child will acquire self-esteem, assertive communication, control over his emotions, and the ability to cope with and master negative experiences. Consequently, he will relate better to his family and peers and continue to delight in his exploration of the world and learning, pillars of a happy childhood.
” We consider each case individually, holding a number of meetings with the minors and their parents. “
What child therapy services do we offer?
Our consultations are completely individualized and tailored to the needs and characteristics of each child or adolescent. After analyzing each case, we propose the most convenient approach for the parents.
At Clamon Counseling, we offer the following services:
- Diagnostic evaluation and individualized, specialized treatment
- Neuropsychological assessment
- Neuropsychological rehabilitation
- Preparation of clinical reports
- Support in separation and grieving processes
- School for parents and family guidance
- Coordination with school teams
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment with a child psychiatrist and an adolescent psychiatrist
“ Consultations last one hour and are usually held weekly or biweekly. ”
Child Behavioral Therapist: Specialized Care for Young Minds
Like adults, children also have to face some issues and problems in their childhood. Child behavioral therapists are professional therapists who can identify and treat certain behavior-related issues at each stage of a child’s life. They analyze cognitive, emotional, behavioral, family, social, and academic areas to lead the child towards emotional well-being.
Although children are not able to put into words what makes them feel uncomfortable, they do so by a shift in mood or behavior. Child behavior therapists learn how to recognize such and implement appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Clamon Counseling is among the best therapists in Texas, and they provide specialized behavioral therapy services. Face-to-face therapy offers significant benefits for young children, as play and drawing are essential components of evaluation and treatment. These interactive elements can be difficult to replicate effectively in an online environment.
Although in-person sessions are our first priority for young children, we provide flexible telehealth sessions for teens and parent consultation. This blending of methods permits every client to have the best possible and most effective care, based on age and individual necessity.
“Childhood is the formative period in which foundations of sound mental functioning and emotional balance are established.” Early therapy by a professional child behavioral therapist will stop trouble with behavior from arising in the first place.
For Texas families seeking psychology services for children, Clamon Counseling is a great option that pairs traditional in-office counseling with new telehealth availability when convenient.
Clamon Counseling: Child Psychologists and Therapists in Texas
Face-to-face therapy also has several benefits for very young children, as play and drawing are inherent assessment and therapy tools. These interactive components are difficult to replicate in an online environment.
Clamon Counseling is among the best child therapists that recognize this huge difference. It provides face-to-face sessions for young kids, adaptive online sessions for teens, and parent consultations. This hybrid approach ensures that all clients receive the most appropriate and effective therapy based on age and personal needs.
For parents searching for Texas psychological services for their kids, Clamon Counseling is an excellent option that offers traditional in-person therapy and includes modern telehealth alternatives when appropriate.
