Sample Children’s Therapy Session
As a practicing therapist, it can be very challenging to work with children. Most people do not realize that the therapeutic process takes a long period of time, a lot of repetition, and patience to help a child learn new skills and techniques. Also, a parent or guardian must be a part of the therapeutic process if results are to be seen. From my experience, I have learned that structured therapy sessions work the best for children. I have had the opportunity to work with many children of all ages with various difficulties throughout the years. Typically I switch from this structured model to normal talk therapy once a child becomes 12 years old. This blog post will provide a layout that I typically use to conduct my 45 minute therapy sessions for kids. Sessions are broken into 4 main components, they are: Arrival, “Kim” Work, Activity time, and Ending. This post will also provide you an example of how the Kanbi Activities are integrated in the session.
Arrival:
Once a client arrives, the therapist greets them. During greeting time, the therapist receives any vital information from the client and/or discuss changes that may have occurred. The child’s parent usually participates during this part of the session.
Example:
Me: Hello! How are we doing today? Tell me something positive? What has happened since I last saw you?
Client: Not much! I got a new skateboard and had to spend a lot of time in detention at school this week.
Parent: Yes, there have been a few things that Johnny forgot to tell you. He has struggled to engage well with his peers this week, has felt very anxious and worries about our dog that may pass away soon.
Me: Wow! There is a lot that has happened! Lets get started!
*The parent typically leaves the office at this time.
“Kim” Work:
This is the teaching/filling portion of the session!!! Typically I will have the client complete an activity that I have created (See the Kanbi for Kids Program at kanbitherapy.com) to help the client them fully understand lessons that are being taught. These activities utilize CBT techniques to teach the client new skills to manage symptoms they present.
See “I Just Popped” Activity by clicking here
Activity Time:
The therapist will allow the client to choose a game, toy or craft of their choice to complete. During this time, we practice coping skills/techniques that were addressed during the Kim work exercise. Also, the client has the opportunity to discuss any ideas, feelings, emotions, or thoughts that they have.
*During lego play Johnny and I create a fort that we will use to “hide” all of our frustrations. We also created portals to relaxing places where we can release our fears and worries.
Ending time!
The therapist will provide the client with a going away activity that assists the client to practice the new skills that they learned during the session. The Parent enters the office at this time. The therapist explains the home activity to both the parent and the client. This helps to engage the parent in the therapeutic process as well as reinforce the client’s new coping technique/lesson that they learned during the session.
End of Activity options:
Encourage the client to practice the coping techniques in a creative way at home. Have the client bring examples of how they completed this task.
The client can “redo” the activity with their parents if they have the game at home.
Client can create a new game using their coping skills.
I hope that other therapists will try this model and receive positive results! This technique may not work for everyone, however I believe that it is worth a shot. Please email me with your feedback! Happy Therapy!
