Lifegrowth Psychological Services
Hope for change in every stage of life
Child and Adolescent
Because children are most impacted within the context of their family, most child therapy is done together with the parents. Adolescents are usually treated in a combination of individual and family sessions. Below is a list of commonly treated conditions, with a description of how treatment is typically approached.
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Divorce Issues
Eating Disorders
Grief
Learning Disorders
Self-Injury
Approaches to Areas of Treatment
ADHD
If ADHD is a possible diagnosis for your child, we administer a full battery of tests before making a diagnosis or initiating treatment. Because ADHD is a neurological disorder present at birth, it affects every area of a child's life. Behaviors associated with ADHD include inattentiveness, impulsivity, distractibility, poor judgment, defiance, and social difficulties. However, just using behavior to make the diagnosis is an irresponsible approach. In children, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities and other conditions can present with the same behaviors as ADHD. Consequently, in order to make a solid diagnosis, a full battery of psycho-educational tests are administered. By the end of this process, a diagnosis of ADHD can be made or eliminated with confidence. Additionally, since 50% of children with ADHD also have a learning disability, this process will also identify and learning difficulties that are contributing to your child's difficulty.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in children, affecting as many as 1 in 8 between the ages of 9 and 17. Anxiety has many faces. For some children, it is a difficulty separating from parents. Others struggle with social anxiety. Many have a generalized form of anxiety that is ever-present. Still others suffer from obsessive-compulsive difficulties. The good news is that anxiety is very treatable, with success rates as high as 80%. The most proven effective approach to anxiety treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The sooner children with anxiety are identified and treated, the sooner they can get back on track with the business of growing up, learning and being happy. Acting early can prevent a life of trials and tribulations for anxious children and help them take back their childhoods.
Depression
It is natural for all children to feel unhappiness or a decreased interest in activities for brief periods of time. Children, with the help of adults, most often are able to overcome challenges and tragic life events and adjust to new circumstances. Other children experience extreme feelings of unhappiness that can last for long periods of time. Approximately 4% of children and 25% of adolescents experience some form of depression, and between one-half to two-thirds of those who are seriously depressed have at least one other mental disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for depressive disorders. This therapy teaches young people how to think differently so they will feel better.
Learning Disorders
Children who experience learning disabilities have neurobiological disorders that affect their ability to process information. School districts consider only about 5% of students to have learning disabilities, but it is believed that learning disabilities are under-diagnosed and that up to 15% of the population may be affected. Young people with learning disabilities are at a higher risk for other difficulties as well. If a learning disorder is suspected, a full battery of psycho-educational testing is done to identify the specific nature of the learning difficulty. Treatment involves advocacy with the school and assistance at home in learning how to help the child navigate around their area of deficit. It also involves educating the child about their learning needs and teaching them how to become their own advocates at school and in life activities.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes people to experience extreme and rapid changes in mood and energy. These shifts often result in disruptive, or even destructive, behavior that make it difficult for children to perform at school or have normal relationships with others. Estimates suggest that up to 1% of young people experience Bipolar Disorder; between 20%-30% of adolescents who have an initial episode of depression eventually develop Bipolar Disorder. Psychotherapy is helpful in teaching children how to cope with their mood changes. Often, family therapy is also necessary to help with the effects of the child's behavior on the home.
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Disruptive behavior disorders include oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Identifying a disruptive behavior disorder can be difficult because all children are angry or defiant at times. However, a severe pattern of behavior that causes problems at school or home may suggest a disorder. About 10% of children and adolescents have disruptive behavior disorders. Many also have other mental problems such as ADHD or depression. Teaching parents well-established principles and strategies of child behavior management is the most effective therapeutic intervention for these children. Consequently, more work is done with the parents than with the individual child.
Self-Injury
Self injury can include suicidal behaviors but often do not involve a wish to be dead. The behaviors can include cutting, burning, bruising, or otherwise mutilating self. Estimates suggest that between 1%-2% of the U.S. population may engage in some kind of self-injury. Specific statistics for young people are not yet available, but most professionals agree that these behaviors are on the rise in child and adolescent populations. Self-injury is usually a symptom of a deeper problem that will become the focus of therapy. Issues leading to the feelings that trigger self-injury are discussed with the goal of resolving these problems. Alternative ways of dealing with the strong feelings that precede self-injury are also taught.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve eating behaviors that are extreme. Underlying issues in eating disorders are often psychological: about 90% of those affected have an additional diagnosable mental disorder. Up to 4% of the population may have anorexia or bulimia, and one-third of those affected report their disorder began between the ages of 11 and 15. Ninety percent of those affected are females. Eating disorders are most effectively addressed by a multi-disciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, nutritionists, and other medical professionals. In addition to addressing the underlying psychological issues, we will work together to get such a team in place as part of the treatment process.
Grief
Children who have faced a loss in their lives have specific needs in the grieving process. While they do grieve, they do not do so in the same way in which adults grieve. Grief therapy is focused on identifying areas of risk for future mental health problems that can result from unresolved grief. Support for the family grieving process is also given.
Divorce Issues
Many children experience significant behavior and emotional disruption following a divorce by their parents. Children can be helped by having a safe, neutral place where they can express their feelings. Parents can be helped to develop "good divorce behavior" that will help them act in the best interest of their child. Co-parenting training can also be given to assist them in making good joint decisions on behalf of their child/ren.
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Divorce Issues
Eating Disorders
Grief
Learning Disorders
Self-Injury
Approaches to Areas of Treatment
ADHD
If ADHD is a possible diagnosis for your child, we administer a full battery of tests before making a diagnosis or initiating treatment. Because ADHD is a neurological disorder present at birth, it affects every area of a child's life. Behaviors associated with ADHD include inattentiveness, impulsivity, distractibility, poor judgment, defiance, and social difficulties. However, just using behavior to make the diagnosis is an irresponsible approach. In children, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities and other conditions can present with the same behaviors as ADHD. Consequently, in order to make a solid diagnosis, a full battery of psycho-educational tests are administered. By the end of this process, a diagnosis of ADHD can be made or eliminated with confidence. Additionally, since 50% of children with ADHD also have a learning disability, this process will also identify and learning difficulties that are contributing to your child's difficulty.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in children, affecting as many as 1 in 8 between the ages of 9 and 17. Anxiety has many faces. For some children, it is a difficulty separating from parents. Others struggle with social anxiety. Many have a generalized form of anxiety that is ever-present. Still others suffer from obsessive-compulsive difficulties. The good news is that anxiety is very treatable, with success rates as high as 80%. The most proven effective approach to anxiety treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The sooner children with anxiety are identified and treated, the sooner they can get back on track with the business of growing up, learning and being happy. Acting early can prevent a life of trials and tribulations for anxious children and help them take back their childhoods.
Depression
It is natural for all children to feel unhappiness or a decreased interest in activities for brief periods of time. Children, with the help of adults, most often are able to overcome challenges and tragic life events and adjust to new circumstances. Other children experience extreme feelings of unhappiness that can last for long periods of time. Approximately 4% of children and 25% of adolescents experience some form of depression, and between one-half to two-thirds of those who are seriously depressed have at least one other mental disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for depressive disorders. This therapy teaches young people how to think differently so they will feel better.
Learning Disorders
Children who experience learning disabilities have neurobiological disorders that affect their ability to process information. School districts consider only about 5% of students to have learning disabilities, but it is believed that learning disabilities are under-diagnosed and that up to 15% of the population may be affected. Young people with learning disabilities are at a higher risk for other difficulties as well. If a learning disorder is suspected, a full battery of psycho-educational testing is done to identify the specific nature of the learning difficulty. Treatment involves advocacy with the school and assistance at home in learning how to help the child navigate around their area of deficit. It also involves educating the child about their learning needs and teaching them how to become their own advocates at school and in life activities.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes people to experience extreme and rapid changes in mood and energy. These shifts often result in disruptive, or even destructive, behavior that make it difficult for children to perform at school or have normal relationships with others. Estimates suggest that up to 1% of young people experience Bipolar Disorder; between 20%-30% of adolescents who have an initial episode of depression eventually develop Bipolar Disorder. Psychotherapy is helpful in teaching children how to cope with their mood changes. Often, family therapy is also necessary to help with the effects of the child's behavior on the home.
Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Disruptive behavior disorders include oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Identifying a disruptive behavior disorder can be difficult because all children are angry or defiant at times. However, a severe pattern of behavior that causes problems at school or home may suggest a disorder. About 10% of children and adolescents have disruptive behavior disorders. Many also have other mental problems such as ADHD or depression. Teaching parents well-established principles and strategies of child behavior management is the most effective therapeutic intervention for these children. Consequently, more work is done with the parents than with the individual child.
Self-Injury
Self injury can include suicidal behaviors but often do not involve a wish to be dead. The behaviors can include cutting, burning, bruising, or otherwise mutilating self. Estimates suggest that between 1%-2% of the U.S. population may engage in some kind of self-injury. Specific statistics for young people are not yet available, but most professionals agree that these behaviors are on the rise in child and adolescent populations. Self-injury is usually a symptom of a deeper problem that will become the focus of therapy. Issues leading to the feelings that trigger self-injury are discussed with the goal of resolving these problems. Alternative ways of dealing with the strong feelings that precede self-injury are also taught.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve eating behaviors that are extreme. Underlying issues in eating disorders are often psychological: about 90% of those affected have an additional diagnosable mental disorder. Up to 4% of the population may have anorexia or bulimia, and one-third of those affected report their disorder began between the ages of 11 and 15. Ninety percent of those affected are females. Eating disorders are most effectively addressed by a multi-disciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, nutritionists, and other medical professionals. In addition to addressing the underlying psychological issues, we will work together to get such a team in place as part of the treatment process.
Grief
Children who have faced a loss in their lives have specific needs in the grieving process. While they do grieve, they do not do so in the same way in which adults grieve. Grief therapy is focused on identifying areas of risk for future mental health problems that can result from unresolved grief. Support for the family grieving process is also given.
Divorce Issues
Many children experience significant behavior and emotional disruption following a divorce by their parents. Children can be helped by having a safe, neutral place where they can express their feelings. Parents can be helped to develop "good divorce behavior" that will help them act in the best interest of their child. Co-parenting training can also be given to assist them in making good joint decisions on behalf of their child/ren.
