Behavioral health can sometimes be challenging to understand. It encompasses emotions, mental health, and the reason behind why we do things. For example, if a child is wetting the bed there may be underlying issues as to why they will not rise to go to the bathroom. They could be afraid of the dark, fear getting into trouble, or dislike how the cold floor feels on their feet. Whatever the reason, behavioral health services help adults and children alike to stop problematic behaviors.
There are many different aspects of behavioral health that deal with children. These different disciplines include but are not limited to:
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Parent-child interaction therapy is one that helps parents and children to have a healthier relationship with one another. Some parents lack the skills needed to correct problem behaviors in healthy ways. Let's say, for example, that a child and parent are interacting in front of a therapist. The child lashes out and then their parents reacts to the behavior, a negative cycle emerges which the therapist can correct. Sometimes parents just need helpful hints to know how to respond to their children's behavior which can, in turn, change the negative behavior completely.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is when children are taken to a therapist with who they talk about their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The therapist works to figure out the thought processes behind the child's actions. It is a proven fact that actions can be changed when the thoughts behind them are changed. For example, if a child understood why their sibling took their toy away, they may be more willing to share rather than just defaulting to hitting or biting.
Family Therapy
Family therapy works with all members of the family to improve interactions with one another. This type of therapy can help members of the family to better understand and appreciate one another, which can help them to treat each other with more respect. Often there are challenges in blended families which can be greatly improved with behavioral health services. These families must learn to respect one another in order to improve their relationships.
In conclusion, there are many different agencies that offer behavioral health services both in office or at home. Some children do better with behavioral health services that are not in their home, since they are removed from distractions, as well as potentially painful memories that can be prevalent at home.
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