The best training in child and adolescent therapy

Children and adolescents with psychological and relational problems form one of the segments of the population that can benefit most from psychotherapy services. However, in order to give them these tools, it is necessary to train a group of psychologists capable of dealing with guarantees characteristic problems of minors in terms of forms of psychological discomfort and problems of adaptation or learning.

In this article we will see what they are the characteristics of the best training in child and adolescent therapy, and the way in which these are reflected in the way of learning the theory and practice of this professional field.

• Related article: "The 6 stages of childhood (physical and mental development)"

How to choose the best training in child and adolescent therapy

The first years of our lives are, in many ways, the most psychologically relevant. In them, not only does our personality begin to be configured from the mixture of environmental and genetic factors: in addition, the patterns of behavior and attitudes that we adopt in this stage of life tend to structure the way in which we live life once we have entered the adulthood.

On the other hand, childhood and early youth are moments of special vulnerability. At these ages we do not have the material, behavioral and cognitive tools to face the problems that arise to us, and parents and carers cannot guarantee complete protection against all kinds of misfortunes.

Learning difficulties, experience of traumatic experiences, socialization problems… These are situations that as adults we could manage relatively well on our own, but that children and adolescents do not know how to deal with.

That is why child and adolescent therapy is a very valuable tool to promote mental health and adaptation to the environment in the part of the population made up of minors.

Now then... What characteristics must the training in child and adolescent therapy meet in order to meet the Fundamental requirements of quality psychological intervention applied in a professional context and therapeutic? Let's see them below.

1. Helps to understand the stages of psychological evolution

Each stage of childhood and adolescence occurs during the development of certain mental capacities, both cognitive and emotional. Children and adolescents are not simple vessels into which to pour all kinds of abilities; Each moment of development requires monitoring and strengthening of certain skills, no more no less.

For this reason, for example, it is necessary to take into account what type of mental operations can be expected in a boy or girl of seven years, and what kind of cognitive training should be postponed so as not to waste resources and not generate frustration.

• You may be interested in: "Child therapy: what is it and what are its benefits"

2. Train in the analysis of environmental factors

Many times we tend to assume that the psychological is something individual to each person, that it occurs inside them without the contextual elements being able to intervene. However, the environment matters, a lot.

For example, a girl who is very passive and submissive need not simply be described as "shy"; Perhaps his behavior is the result of a history of bullying.

3. Allows you to study theory and practice

This characteristic is essential in child and adolescent psychotherapy, and also in learning any other type of psychological intervention. After all, everything that is studied must be applied in real cases with real subjects, and none of these cases will perfectly fit the descriptions and classification criteria that appear in the manuals.

4. Teaches the aspects of relationship with clients and patients

In child and adolescent psychotherapy there is a clear differentiation between clients and patients. This makes it necessary to understand how to communicate progress and give feedback based on what has emerged in therapy sessions, for example.

The relationship model with customers and patients is very characteristic, and even more so if we take into account that In the case of minors, special measures must be adopted in our way of managing the information obtained without exposing them to vulnerabilities.

5. Provides an overview of the phases of therapy

All the knowledge obtained in this kind of training programs must be structured from a basic outline of the stages of child and adolescent psychotherapy. In this way, it is not only much easier to study these contents, but also allows you to fully understand the meaning of each of these steps.

Learning loose brushstrokes of what this kind of therapy is is of little use; It is essential to have a global and structured vision.

An example of a training program

In Spain, fortunately, it is now possible to find very interesting specialization courses in child and adolescent therapy. An example of this is the case of the Practical Course on Child and Youth Psychology at the Mensalus Institute, in Barcelona.

It has a development of eight sessions of three hours each and a structured agenda of all the theoretical and practical elements that it is essential to know. It is especially indicated for people who want to know from experts the way in which that is intervened in these cases, all in facilities where therapy is performed diary.

• For more information about the course, you can access the contact details of Mensalus by clicking here.