Methods and skills of psychological counseling for children

Child psychological counseling can be carried out through interactive games, emotional recognition training, active listening, cognitive behavior guidance, and family environment optimization. Psychological problems in children are usually caused by factors such as growth pressure, changes in family relationships, social distress, academic burden, and unexpected events.

1. Game Interaction

helps children express their inner feelings through nonverbal means such as role-playing and sandbox games. Observing children's choices and placement order of toys during the game process can indirectly reflect their psychological state. Parents can regularly schedule parent-child game time and choose open-ended toys such as building blocks and dolls to avoid judging or guiding children's behavior during the game.

2. Emotion Recognition Training

Use emotion cards or picture books to teach children how to recognize basic emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. When children experience emotional fluctuations, guide them to describe their physical sensations in language, such as a faster heartbeat representing anger. Parents need to demonstrate the correct way of expressing emotions and avoid defining children's emotions with negative labels.

3. Actively Listen

Use a squatting position to maintain eye level with the child and respond to their narration with simple words. To avoid interrupting or rushing to provide a solution, you can confirm understanding by repeating the child's words. Set a fixed 15 minute listening time every day, and use body language such as hugs to convey an accepting attitude towards young children.

4. Cognitive behavioral guidance

helps children distinguish between facts and imagination through drawing and other methods, using concrete examples instead of absolute expressions. When children say no one likes me, guide them to recall the scene of being treated kindly. A fun form can be designed for school aged children to challenge negative thoughts and use stickers to record positive events.

5. Family environment optimization

Establish regular routines and clear rules to reduce conflicting language among family members. Reserve a space for children to be alone and jointly develop rules for the use of electronic products. Parents need to manage their own anxiety and avoid turning work pressure into excessive control over their children.

Psychological counseling for children requires parents to maintain long-term patience and avoid expecting immediate results. Encourage children to participate in household chores in daily life to cultivate a sense of responsibility, and regularly engage in outdoor activities to release energy. Pay attention to physiological changes such as diet and sleep, which are often precursors to psychological problems. If you experience prolonged low mood or abnormal behavior for more than two weeks, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional psychological counselor. Establishing a stable parent-child attachment relationship is the foundation for preventing psychological problems, and ensuring at least 20 minutes of high-quality companionship time every day.