Video Play Therapy with Kids

Kids are dealing with a lot of routine changes and uncertainty right now. This can have an effect on their behavior and mood as anxious, fearful and confusing feelings arise.

Video play therapy can help. It IS possible to do play therapy with kids online via video.

With "tweens" and teens, video sessions are pretty easy because much of their lives exist in the digital world already.

So, how does this work with younger kids? Actually, much of the process is similar to an in-person office session. To address feelings and behaviors, therapists engage kids through play and other creative activities, which is their language and how they learn emotional regulation and behavior management. 

During video play therapy sessions, kids and therapists:

• Set boundaries and rules together

• Direct each other’s actions and movements

• Narrate what they’re doing

• Make observations

• Talk, ask questions, share feelings and make connections to behaviors

• Work on healthy coping skills

Video sessions can be great for kids because:

• Kids like having access to their personal things (e.g., toys, stuffed animals, books, artwork, etc.)

• Kids enjoy allowing the therapist into their “space”

• Kids more openly share things about themselves via video

• Kids feel a sense of pride and "specialness"

• Kids experience a sense of comfort, safety and control

• These types of sessions offer a lot of flexibility for the whole family

All of this allows for in-depth therapeutic work to take place and for meaningful emotional and behavioral change.

Don't hesitate to give it a try! Child Therapy Chicago & Naperville is offering teletherapy video sessions for kids of all ages. Call us today to discuss and get started!

Be well.

Dr. Denise

Parenting Tips: The Decision to Parent in the City

If you are a parent raising a child in the city, a soon-to-be parent or even considering having children, you have probably gotten a lot of advice from family and friends about parenting in the city. Some may suggest that you get a different, likely larger, place to live, move to a new location, potentially outside of the city, purchase a new vehicle, etc. Their advice is valid, as some have been through the process and they have made a thoughtful decision that fits their needs and lifestyle. Their choices might not be in line with yours, though.

Is Chicago a Good Place to Raise Children?

This post was inspired by a recent article entitled, Is NYC a Good Place to Raise Children? -- Laura Houston, Motherhood Later....than Sooner.

Parents often wonder if it is a good idea to raise children in the city, and they get their share of opinions from family and friends. As Laura points out, this decision is based on parents' values, resources, and their ability to find balance.

Most people can think of reasons to raise their children in the suburbs - good schools, small communities, ample green space, less traffic and crime. These are some of the arguments. So, why raise children in the city? While some of these reasons may hold true for the suburbs as well, they highlight even greater potential benefits of raising children in an urban environment.