CBT for Kids

What Exactly Is CBT?

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• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a form of talk therapy that helps children understand how their thoughts, emotions, and actions are all linked — a bit like the three legs of a tripod. If one wobbles, everything shakes.

• It’s not about lying on a couch talking about your past (no dramatic violins here). It’s about helping children notice their thoughts (“Everyone’s laughing at me”), challenge them (“Are they really?”), and change them (“Maybe they’re just having fun”).

• In short, it’s brain training that builds emotional intelligence — something every child can benefit from, not just those with anxiety or big feelings.

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How CBT Builds Child Intelligence

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CBT isn’t just a therapy; it’s a tool to develop Child Intelligence — the ability to think flexibly, respond calmly, and bounce back from stress.  Here’s how it quietly transforms kids:

 

1. It Builds Self-Awareness

Children learn to tune into their thoughts — the good, the bad, and the “Mum’s-going-to-find-out” kind. They begin to recognise what triggers certain feelings, which helps them gain control rather than react impulsively.

 

2. It Boosts Emotional Vocabulary

No more “I’m just angry!” for everything. Kids learn to name what they feel — frustrated, embarrassed, left out — which instantly lowers emotional intensity. (It’s hard to throw a tantrum when you’ve already diagnosed it.)

 

3. It Improves Problem-Solving

By practising alternative ways of thinking, kids strengthen cognitive flexibility — a skill that helps them adapt to change, deal with mistakes, and solve everyday dilemmas, like losing a game without declaring world war.

 

4. It Builds Emotional Resilience

Instead of bottling up or bursting out, children learn calm-down tools — breathing, reframing, grounding — that help them ride emotional waves with confidence. Think of it as emotional surf school.

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Conditions CBT Can Support​

CBT is proven effective for children with:

Anxiety – Helps reduce fear cycles and avoidant behaviour.

Depression – Builds motivation through behaviour activation.

OCD – Uses gentle exposure to break obsessive loops.

ADHD – Teaches impulse control and focus habits.

Trauma/PTSD – Offers safe tools to process memories.

Autism Spectrum Conditions – Enhances emotional understanding and social problem-solving.

Selective Mutism – Gradual confidence-building in communication.

But beyond all these, CBT can help any child grow calmer, more empathetic, and more self-aware.

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How CBT Works in Practice

CBT follows a simple idea:

What we think → affects how we feel → affects how we behave.

If a child thinks, “Nobody likes me”, they might withdraw or lash out. CBT helps them test that thought (“Is that really true?”) and find a balanced one (“Sometimes people don’t talk to me, but that doesn’t mean I’m unlikeable”).

Over time, this rewires their thinking patterns — like updating old, buggy software with a newer, wiser version.

Therapists often work with parents, too. After all, kids spend most of their “therapy hours” at home. When parents learn CBT skills — gentle questioning, mindful listening, supportive language — the magic multiplies.

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What CBT Looks Like (Spoiler: It’s Not Boring!)

Forget the serious therapy image. CBT with kids can involve:

• Games and roleplay (think “Feelings Jenga” or superhero analogies)

• Drawing and storytelling (to express thoughts visually)

• Breathing and relaxation exercises

• Thought challenges (a fun detective game for spotting “thought traps”)

• Homework that’s actually doable (like practising a coping skill during a tough day)

Therapists make it interactive and safe — more like learning life skills than “therapy.”

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How Parents Can Support CBT at Home

• Model calm thinking. Kids copy more than they listen.

• Label emotions early. “You seem disappointed” helps them link feelings with words.

• Celebrate effort, not outcome. This builds growth mindset — a CBT cornerstone.

• Use gentle curiosity. Ask, “What else could be true?” instead of “Don’t say that.”

• Keep it playful. The best CBT happens over Lego, not lectures.

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FAQs

At what age can kids start CBT?
Usually from around 7–8 years, though younger children can benefit through play-based or parent-child CBT.

Does it work quickly?
CBT is a short-to-medium-term approach (about 6–20 sessions). The results build gradually — much like growing patience in a toddler waiting for a cookie.

Will my child need to “open up”?
Not at first — and that’s okay. Trust is built slowly. Many kids begin with activities and games before deeper sharing naturally happens.

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