Understanding Therapy for Children and Teens – A Parent’s Guide
Parenting a child who struggles with behavior, emotions or learning differences can feel overwhelming. Questions like “What kind of therapy is right?” or “How can I support my child?” are common.
At Solari Child & Educational Psychology, we provide therapy for children, pre-teens and teens in the Cedar Park/North Austin area. This guide explains common therapy approaches used at Solari, who they help and what role parents play in supporting their child.
Therapy Models at a Glance
1. Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS)
Focus: Teaching parents and children to problem-solve together without focusing on ‘the challenging behavior’.
How it Works:
Identifies incompatibility episodes, where the expectations outstrip current skills causing distress responses
Parents learn a model of support to collaborate with their child
Focus on teaching a problem solving model instead of enforcing compliance
Who Benefits:
Children with behavioral or flexibility challenges
Families seeking strategies to reduce conflict at home or school
Parent Tips:
Learn to identify skill gaps and triggers
Practice collaborative problem-solving with your child
Work alongside the therapist to create mutually satisfactory and realistic solutions
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Focus: Developing flexibility, emotional awareness, and values-guided action.
How it Works:
Children notice thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed
Therapy emphasizes acting in ways that reflect personal values
Who Benefits:
Children and teens managing anxiety, stress or identity concerns
Parent Tips:
Support your child in practicing ACT skills at home
Encourage reflection on values and choices
Reinforce acceptance and flexibility in daily life
3. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Focus: Understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
How it Works:
Children identify unhelpful thought patterns
Therapy teaches coping strategies to manage emotions and behavior
Who Benefits:
Children experiencing anxiety, low confidence or stress
Children learning to manage negative thought patterns
Parent Tips:
Reinforce CBT strategies at home
Practice coping strategies together
Observe progress and share feedback with the therapist
4. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Focus: Building self-compassion and emotional safety.
How it Works:
Children learn to respond kindly to themselves
Supports emotional regulation and reduces shame
Who Benefits:
Children struggling with self-criticism or emotional distress
Parent Tips:
Model compassionate responses
Encourage self-kindness in daily routines
Provide emotional safety at home
5. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Skills sessions
Focus: Supporting emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal skills.
How it Works:
Children learn strategies to respond rather than react to intense emotions
Skills are applied to relationships, school and family life
Who Benefits:
Children and teens with intense emotions, mood swings or interpersonal challenges
Parent Tips:
Reinforce regulation strategies at home
Support skill practice during challenging moments
Collaborate with the therapist to adapt strategies for family routines
6. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Focus: Helping children and teens gently face fears so anxiety no longer runs their world.
How it Works:
Children are supported to take small, manageable steps toward feared situations
They learn that anxious feelings can rise and fall without needing to escape, avoid or seek constant reassurance
Over time, their confidence grows as the brain learns, “I can handle this”
Who Benefits:
Children and teens struggling with anxiety, phobias, panic or obsessive-compulsive worries
Young people who feel stuck in cycles of avoidance, checking or reassurance-seeking
Parent Tips:
Encourage brave steps while staying emotionally supportive
Help your child practice skills between sessions in everyday life
Work with the therapist to find the right pace and approach for your child
Parent Role in Therapy
Parents are central to therapy success. You can:
Attend sessions or parent coaching when recommended
Practice strategies at home
Encourage discussion about thoughts, feelings and behavior
Collaborate with schools or other professionals when strategies are used in the classroom
Remember that therapy is a process, not a quick fix
Quick Takeaways for Parents
Therapy is not about “fixing” your child but about understanding behavior and supporting skill-building.
Different approaches target different challenges and may work best in combination.
Parent involvement is critical, particularly for Collaborative and Proactive Solutions and strategies involving skill development.
Consistency at home and school reinforces what children learn in therapy.
The information provided here is educational and for parents considering therapy services. Individual results vary. This content does not constitute a guarantee or promise of outcomes. For guidance specific to your child, consult a licensed psychologist.
