Therapy Techniques to Help Your Kids and Adolescents

By Lauren Shuman

Children and adolescents are dealing with elevated levels of mental health issues and a need to further develop awareness and knowledge on how to handle these pressures. Along on the journey are the parents. Many are faced with difficult questions on what their first step should be for combating this new battle we find ourselves in. Hopefully, parents and other caretakers will find relief here as this article introduces the potential first step.

Self-regulation is a term used in the school setting and the therapeutic setting. The main goal of self-regulation techniques and strategies is to aid individuals in controlling their mind, body, and actions. This simple break down can sound daunting for those wondering where to start. As you read, you will learn the 5 building blocks to achieve self-regulation for your child, adolescent and perhaps even yourself. These target skills are: 1) Emotional Recognition & Expression, 2) Situationally Appropriate Behavior, 3) Calming Strategies, 4) Thinking Strategies, and 5) Self Reflection. Think of these 5 target skills as steps. Each one should be mastered before moving on to the next. For example, one may not realize they are offending someone if they are unable to recognize disgruntlement in another’s body language. Let’s break it down.

Emotional Recognition and Expression

What are emotions? What do they feel like? How do I recognize them? How do I express them to others?

Situationally Appropriate Behavior

What is the expectation in this situation? How does my behavior affect those around me?

Thinking Strategies

Flexible Thinking Can I see this in a different way? Rational Thinking Are there facts to verify my thoughts? Positive Self Talk Are my words and thoughts building me up or tearing me down? Perspective Taking How do others think and feel about this situation?

Self-Reflection

What was the problem? What emotions did I feel? Did I use appropriate calming strategies? Was my response appropriate to the situation? How did my response affect me? Affect others? What can I do differently next time?

Calming Strategies

Body Progressive muscle relaxation Deep Breathing Grounding Tension Release Yoga/Stretching Mind Guided imagery Replay a positive memory (Happy thoughts) Visualize a positive outcome Repeat a calming mantra Make a gratitude list Now that you have the break down it is time to isolate those skills! Break down each target skill into attainable, isolated skills. This step-by-step process will help you identify what is mastered and what needs further attention. With younger children and young teens, it is important to practice these skills on the move! Children love games and movement so give them what they want. Manipulate classic games such as musical chairs, balloon tap, mini basketball, hot potatoes, giant dice, bowling pins, etc. Just have fun with it!

Ms. Shuman is the school counselor at Rabun County Primary School. She has a masters in Counselor Education from Georgia Southern. She also earned a Specialist degree from Capella University and is continuing to work on a PhD in Counselor Education. If you need more information on self-regulation strategies for your child or teen, contact Georgia Mountain Psychological Associates, Inc. at 404-291-4018. Website: gamtnpsych.org