There are a variety of different types of child abuse, and accordingly, there are many different forms of therapy that can be used as methods of treating the symptoms and the effects of child abuse. Before children have the ability to express complex emotions and ideas, they often use play as a means of expression. Children play all the time, and often this play is used as a means of enacting what they want to be, what they want to do, or what they have experienced. In many cases, children will communicate what they know, what they have learned, and what they have experienced through the act of playing. Because of this, play therapy can be used as a means of diagnosing what has caused a child’s behavior or change in personality.
Play therapy is usually used on children between the ages of 3 and 11. It gives them the ability to express their thoughts and feelings, usually without a great deal of verbal interaction with a therapist. The therapist will be able to observe the child and determine whether or not the child has experienced child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, physical violence, or any other form of maltreatment.
The toys that a child chooses to play with and the way that they play with their toys may allow a therapist to understand what types of child abuse the child has experienced, if they were indeed subjected to child abuse, neglect, or physical harm. Once the therapist is able to ascertain why the child is behaving in a specific way,the therapist will be able to provide the child with effective coping techniques.
Another form of therapy that is used on children who have been subjected to varying types of child abuse is art therapy. Art therapy provides children of all ages with an emotional outlet. Children who have experienced sexual child abuse, neglect, and physical abuse develop many emotional problems. They may experience extreme depression, or they may have problems maintaining control over their emotions. Art therapy is considered to be a very effective means of treating victims of abuse.
Many children who have been subjected to various types of child abuse are young. They may have not yet developed the ability to verbally communicate their feelings and emotions. Other children may find verbal communication difficult because they may have been forced into silence by their abuser. Art therapy gives these children a means of displaying their emotions for other individuals to see. It is a way to get their pain on paper. It also provides children who have suffered from child abuse, neglect, and physical violence to track how they have been developing and how they have been overcoming the negative effects of the abuse that they have experienced.
Group therapy is often used to treat children who have suffered from various types of abuse. Group therapy will allow children who have experienced child abuse, neglect, and violence to be in contact with other children who have gone through similar situations. It uses methods that will encourage families to change their negative behaviors.
Studies have shown that multi-family group therapy is more successful in decreasing abuse and instituting change than individual therapy. Multi-family group therapy will provide a family with the opportunity to observe how other families interact with each other. It will also provide families with support and encouragement. As they watch other families improve and change, they will also be encouraged to continue to work towards a healthy and safe future for their family.
Music therapy is also being used as a means of treatment for victims of abuse. There is a strong connection between music, memory, and emotion. One song can trigger certain emotions and memories in a person. In order for a child or an individual to overcome the negative effects of abuse, they first have to confront and cope with their experiences.