Diagnosis and treatment of children is unique and challenging.   Because children are still developing emotionally and psychosocially, it is important to differentiate between normal developmental crisis typical of childhood and psychological disorders.

Children work differently in therapy than adults.  Children have ingenious ways of sharing their thoughts and feelings.   One way is through play.  A child may not be able to articulate what their internal world is like but through the child’s spontaneous play, the therapist can observe themes, conflicts, fears, moods, levels of organization.  With children the act of playing itself is therapeutic: it helps them to express through play what they cannot say in words and it provides a venue where they can experience mastery of their world. 

An example of the positive effect of play therapy was a 7 year old boy who became agitated and combative at home and at school. He was getting a reputation as a bully and a troublemaker which had not been characteristic of him.  His parents were mystified by their son’s change in behavior and brought him in for an evaluation. The play therapy revealed that he was depressed over his grandmother’s death and was angry that she had left him.   His aggressiveness and agitation were equivalencies of depression.

Working collaterally with the parents is central to my work with young children. I meet with children in a separate playroom which is outfitted with art supplies, toys and games which are geared to facilitate therapeutic play.

Specialities I have in working with children are:

Anxious and Fearful Children

Depressed or Grieving Children

Oppositional / Defiant Children

Attention Deficit Disordered Children

Therapy@PatMcCallum.com