for Children Ages 9-13

Activity-Based Therapy

What Is Activity-Based Therapy?

As a child grows older, they begin to express themselves differently. Children ages 9–13 enjoy using their developing cognitive and communication skills as they pursue individual interests. Activity-based therapy uses hands-on activities such as art, crafts, building projects, games, puzzles, and creative projects to help foster a meaningful connection with the therapist. At The Child Counseling Center of Tidewater we offer individual therapy sessions using activities and expressive arts to help older children explore their developing identity, resolve conflicts and challenges, and boost their self-esteem.

The Child Counseling Center of Tidewater

Benefits of Activity-Based Therapy

Activity-based therapy creates a comfortable environment where children can develop a trusting relationship with the therapist in a setting that is developmentally sensitive. The therapist continues to be non-directive letting the older child lead in choosing the activity and choosing whether or not they want to talk. There are no worksheets. Older children might want to shoot a basketball, play a game of chess, create a clay sculpture, or crochet. Each choice is communication with or without talking. Children who participate in activity-based therapy show improvement in:

Self-Regulation
Identifying Feelings
Confidence and Self-Esteem
Personal Responsibility
Empathy

Who Activity-Based Therapy Can Help

Activity-based therapy is helpful for children ages 9–13 that are struggling socially, emotionally, behaviorally, or academically.

This therapy helps children who are experiencing:

Anxiety or stress
School-related pressure or academic frustration
Social challenges or friendship difficulties
Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
Anger or frustration
Difficulty expressing emotions
Behavioral challenges at home or school
Life changes such as divorce, moving, or changing schools
Grief or loss
Difficulty with focus, organization, or motivation