Psychotherapy

Treatment for both yourself and your family

Psychotherapy

Pediatric Minds Psychological Services provides non-emergency psychotherapeutic services for children, adolescents and families.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) explores the interaction between one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors and is considered an empirically supported psychotherapeutic method. The “cognitive model,” is used as a framework to understand how one’s maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns are impacting one’s overall functioning. Therapists implement cognitive and behavioral techniques to facilitate change based on an individual’s presenting problems. Research suggests that modified CBT can be used with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders as well as daily living and social skills development (Attwood, 2004; Wood, Drahota, Sze, Har, Chiu, & Langer, 2009; White, Albano, Johnson, Kasari, Ollendick, Klin, Oswald, & Scahill, 2010; Drahota, Wood, Sze, & Van Dyke, 2011; Reaven, Blakeley-Smith, Culhane-Shelburne, & Hepburn, 2012; Sukhodolsky, Bloch, Panza, & Reichow 2013; Wood et al., 2015).

Individual Psychotherapy

Children, adolescents, and young adults are offered individual psychotherapy as a form of treatment in which presenting problems and underlying issues are addressed in a safe and professional environment with a trusted clinician. Individual psychotherapy may include incorporating parents, siblings, and additional family members or caregivers into treatment as necessary. At Pediatric Minds, parents are considered an integral part of treatment and will be thoroughly included in the process. Treatment will be tailored to individual clients and may include a variety of modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems Therapy, and Play Therapy.

Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Theory suggests that individuals should be understood in the context of their family unit, rather than independent of the family. According to the theory, each member plays a vital role that follows a script within the family unit. As a result of this dynamic, patterns in relationships and interactions begin to emerge. Although maintaining these patterns can lead to balance, they can also cause dysfunction. Pediatric Minds strives to view clients in the context of their individual family unit, addressing areas of balance and dysfunction in treatment.