Psychotherapy for Children & Adolescents in Munich
Mental health is an important aspect of general wellbeing, which is particularly true for children and young people. This is because at a stage of life characterized by physical, emotional and social changes, mental health problems can have a significant impact on a young person's development and future life.
Psychotherapy can therefore provide valuable support to help children and young people overcome these challenges and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that aims to alleviate mental disorders and emotional difficulties through conversation and therapeutic techniques. It is carried out by trained therapists and can take various forms - including cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy and family therapy.
For children and adolescents, therapy is often adapted to their developmental stage and individual needs. In addition, children and adolescents are differentiated in psychotherapy according to their age:
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Children: 0 to 13 years
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Adolescents: 14 to 18 years
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Adults: from 18 years of age
Why is psychotherapy for children so important?
Children and adolescents can suffer from a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and behavioral problems.
Without appropriate support, these problems can significantly impact school, social and family life and increase the risk of long-term mental health problems in adulthood. We briefly discuss common mental health problems in children and adolescents below.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems in children and adolescents. They can manifest themselves in generalized anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorders or specific phobias. Children with anxiety disorders can experience excessive worries and fears that interfere with their daily activities.
Depression
Depression in children and adolescents is also common and can have a serious impact on well-being. Symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest, irritability and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
Early intervention is crucial to reduce the risk of serious consequences.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It can significantly impair academic performance and social life. A combined treatment of behavioral therapy and, if necessary, medication can help to control the symptoms.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder often occur in adolescence and can have serious health consequences. Psychotherapy plays a central role in treatment by helping to address underlying emotional and cognitive issues.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events can develop PTSD. This can be characterized by intense, recurring memories of the trauma, avoidance behaviors and emotional numbness. Trauma-focused therapies can help to alleviate these symptoms.
Therapeutic Approaches in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Our team consists of experienced psychologists and offers you and your child individual therapeutic support as well as coaching and couples therapy - on site or via video conference. We use various therapeutic approaches in the treatment of children and adolescents.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-researched form of therapy that aims to change negative thought patterns and behaviors. For children and adolescents, CBT (adapted to their developmental stage) is often playful and creative.
Play therapy
Play therapy uses play as a medium through which children can express their feelings and cope with conflict. It is particularly useful for younger children who may have difficulty communicating their feelings verbally.
Family therapy
As families play a central role in the lives of children and young people, family therapy can be helpful in improving family dynamics and providing support for the child or young person. It often involves all family members in the therapeutic process.
Art therapy
Art is used to help children and young people express their feelings and work through emotional issues. They can be particularly helpful for those who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally.
The therapy process: What you should know as a parent
As therapists, we attach great importance to a warm, empathetic and appreciative approach. Our work is always goal-oriented and scientifically sound in order to provide our patients with the best possible treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment planning
The first step in psychotherapy is often a thorough diagnostic assessment to identify the child's specific problems and needs. This may include interviews, questionnaires and sometimes observations. Based on this assessment, an individualized treatment plan is created.
Involvement of the parents
Parents play an important role in the therapy process. Their support and cooperation is often crucial to the success of the therapy. Therapists often work closely with parents to help them understand their child's problems and develop effective strategies for support.
Regular sessions and continuity
Therapy sessions take place regularly - often weekly or every two weeks. Continuity and regularity are important in order to make progress. The therapy process can take several months to years, depending on the severity of the problems and progress.
Challenges and considerations
There is still a stigma around mental health problems, which can make children and young people reluctant to seek help. Create a supportive environment where your child feels safe to talk about their problems!
The effectiveness of therapy can vary and not all children and young people respond in the same way to certain forms of therapy. Ongoing assessment and adjustment of the treatment plan are important to ensure that the therapy is meeting the child or young person's needs.
Even after therapy is completed, follow-up care is often necessary to prevent relapse and ensure long-term success.
Psychotherapy for your child in our Munich private practice
Psychotherapy can be transformative for children and young people struggling with mental health issues. Through early intervention and appropriate therapeutic support, many young people can learn to overcome their challenges and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
We offer both online and in-person appointments for adolescents in our private practice. For children, personal contact is particularly important for a good therapeutic relationship. That is why we only work with the youngest children on site.
If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail, contact form or telephone. You can also book your appointments directly online. We look forward to seeing you.