Children can suffer from psychological difficulties and significant stressors but often do so in ways that are very different from adults. Some children hold in their distress and develop fearful, anxious, and depressive symptoms. Other children tend to externalize their feelings and exhibit difficulties with anger, disrespectful behavior, irritability, and oppositionality. Their difficulties, symptoms, and behaviors must be seen in terms of their age and developmental level in addition to their biological and situational influences.
Children’s needs are not the same as adults and therapy with children and teenagers reflects those differences. Dr. Batterman uses cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and family systems approaches in dealing with the young people she sees. Treatment is individualized to meet the unique needs of your child in an atmosphere of caring, compassion, humor, and play.
Parents are a critical part of therapy and are expected to be heavily involved in treatment. Parents play a strong collaborative role and work with Dr. Batterman to help their child and their family learn the skills necessary to relieve their symptoms and cope with their unique situations. There are many times when family therapy is the most helpful strategy for dealing with the difficulties that children face. When indicated, parents and children will meet together to work on communication and conflict resolution strategies.
Most sessions include some individual work with the child or teenager. This time is spent focusing on the child’s needs, working toward their therapeutic goals, helping them learn appropriate emotional expression and the development of effective coping strategies. With younger children, this individual time may be spent using play, artwork, games, or activities that have a therapeutic focus.
Children live in a world where there are many influences on their behavior and on their emotional functioning. When it is important to do so, Dr. Batterman will collaborate with your child’s school, pediatrician, and any other important influence.
