Child / Adolescent Psychology

Child/Adolescent Psychology

Child and adolescent psychology is a specialization within psychology that focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. Specifically, child and adolescent psychology takes into account unique circumstances and difficulties associated with the developmental period. Such factors include family and peer relationships, identity formation, and school/academic expectations. Additionally, the main constant of the developmental period is change. Although development is often thought of as a clear and consistent growth process, development can look quite different from person to person and across time.

Because children and adolescents are navigating so much while their brains and bodies are still developing, support from a mental health professional can be beneficial.

What do Child/Adolescent Psychologists treat?

Anxiety, Worries, and Fears
School Refusal and Academic Stress
Depression and Irritability
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD, PANS, and PANDAS)
Emotional Dysregulation and Behavioral Outbursts
ADHD and Executive Functioning Difficulties
Autism and Neurodiversity
Sleep Difficulties
Toileting Difficulties
Trauma and Grief
Disordered Eating Behaviors
Tics and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

What does Child/Adolescent Psychology treatment look like?

Treatment can look very different depending on the presenting concern (e.g., sleep difficulties, anxiety) and the child/adolescent’s developmental level. For example, treatment for a younger child with behavioral difficulties will likely require active caregiver involvement (e.g., parent coaching sessions). In contrast, treatment for a teenager with academic stress may be primarily individual therapy and only involve family members (and school personnel) as needed. Child and adolescent psychologists use a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Using CBT, children/adolescents learn how to use coping skills to change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in beneficial ways.
Parent/Caregiver Coaching uses behavioral principles and considers the function of different behaviors. Parent coaching focuses on altering adult behaviors and environmental factors in strategic ways to help create change in children’s behaviors.
Solution-Focused Behavioral Interventions are targeted treatments that incorporate both behavioral and cognitive behavioral approaches while building and practicing new skills. Such interventions are often used to address difficulties with sleep, toileting, and skin picking.

The Importance of Development

As children age and develop, their capacity for actively engaging in treatment increases. Adolescence is a unique period in development in which identity formation and peer relationships become centrally important. Teenagers often balance numerous academic and extracurricular endeavors as well as increasing independence to prepare for adulthood. Psychologists often use evidence-based treatment options that have been developed or adapted specifically for adolescents:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on tolerating distress, regulating intense emotions, and building healthy interpersonal relationships with others.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to promote psychological flexibility by encouraging active behavior aligned with one’s values.

Of note, research highlights the importance of meeting children/adolescents where they are in development and considering current concerns, as well as difficulties, when selecting interventions. From a neuroaffirming perspective (i.e., one that acknowledges brain differences, including ADHD, as a natural part of human diversity), providers prioritize their clients’ self-determined goals.