Growing up can be hard...

Therapy for children and teens is different than therapy for adults as children and teens are still developing mentally, emotionally, and socially.  At Alliance Psychology in San Antonio, Texas, we understand the importance of specialized therapy for children and adolescents, and we are passionate about providing tailored treatments for individuals in these age groups. Our team of licensed professionals are trained to work with children and their families to identify and address underlying psychological and emotional issues and to promote growth and healing.

Children and teens experience the world differently than adults. They have unique needs, challenges, and emotional experiences that require specialized care. Therapy for children and adolescents prioritizes the development of essential skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Therapy for children and teens is often informed by psychological testing or a comprehensive evaluation and may involve play therapy, behavioral intervention, family therapy and group therapy depending upon the unique identified needs. Not obtaining adequate testing or evaluation and informed treatment can result in long-term emotional and social problems that can negatively impact the lives of children and teens.

Therapy for children and teens requires specialized training and understanding of early development. It requires collaboration with the child/teen’s caregiver and often involves intervening in creative ways to form an effective therapeutic relationship from which growth can occur. Play therapy is a type of therapy that is used to help children express themselves and communicate their emotions. Play is the natural language of children, and it allows them to express themselves and thus be understood by trained professionals without using words. For instance, children often tell us so much more through play than through conversation, and play therapy may be much more beneficial than tailoring talk therapy to a child.

At Alliance Psychology, we also offer psychological testing and evaluations for several mental health issues, including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, depression, anxiety, trauma and OCD. Our psychologists use standardized tests and other assessment tools to provide accurate diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. This process helps children and their parents understand their unique needs and develop a treatment plan that works for them. This treatment plan is informed by data rather than simply the opinion of others.

Adolescence is a critical time in a person’s life and our team at Alliance Psychology is trained to provide an independent, safe, and non-judgmental relationship for adolescents.  An adolescent may express themselves more fully by discussing music, movies, sports, celebrities, and by identifying with their therapist who serves as a safe outlet during an important developmental time. Having a relationship with a trained and licensed professional during this period of development can support identity, social and emotional development.

Collaboration with family members is essential in our therapeutic approach. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in their child’s emotional and mental wellbeing. Depending upon your unique needs, we may work closely with your family to provide support, education, and guidance to help support caregivers and children’s growth and development. We also involve caregivers in the therapy process, allowing them to share their insights and concerns, and work collaboratively to promote healing and growth.