How does therapy look different for children, teens, adults, and Families?

Here at AIM, Ashlee specializes in kids ages 6 and up, teens, adults, and families. But with each demographic, (and individual!) different approaches need to be taken. What works for a kid won’t work for a teen, what works for a teen won’t work for an adult, and vice versa. With family therapy, you’re listening to multiple different demographics and perspectives at once, this means you have to use a combination of individual tactics and apply them to a group. This might seem confusing, and understandably so! That’s why we’re breaking down the difference between these different approaches so you can choose what’s best for you and your family!

Individual Approaches (Kids, Teens, Adults)

For individuals like teens and adults, we start by establishing goals based on your desires to grow. Therapy will often vary based on these goals and your strengths and challenges. Each week will be a little different as we process the present and talk about how it might connect to the past. Ashlee likes to start with a check in and then see what flows naturally from the session, keeping in mind goals and challenges as you go.

For children, we often talk and play at the same time or talk through play. Parents often play an integral role in therapy helping to figure out when things are working or not and sometimes helping to keep children focused. Children often have behaviors show up that are problematic and those behaviors tell us a deeper story. Many times kids are able to learn and grow to overcoming these struggles and counselors are here to help by being a safe space to talk and providing resources, exercises, and emotional understanding.

Family Approaches

Family therapy focuses on the family dynamics. We work together on creating a safe place for communication, challenges and celebration. Some sessions may include the whole family, while other sessions might only have certain members. The idea behind this to see what does and doesn’t work when addressing and overcoming challenges and communicating with one another.

Sometimes the best approach is individual and family therapy, depending on the challenges that need to be addressed. But, the best way to figure out what works for you and your family is to schedule a consultation! Book your free one now at aimcounselingwa.com/consultation!