Struggling to Find a Children’s Counselor in Twin Falls?

The mental and emotional well-being of our children and little ones is so important. In today’s fast-paced world, children can find themselves dealing with a lot of different stressors. Stress at home or at school can contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed, lonely, or frustrated. Over time, these feelings can build and manifest as behavioral issues or maladaptive behaviors. The traditional childrens therapy approach and teen therapy is typically through some form of psychotherapy, commonly talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, aimed to teach kids emotional regulation and communication skills.

Children’s therapy can be extremely helpful in tackling social skills problems, emotional regulation issues, and more. The problem many parents are facing is that wait times to book a pediatric therapy appointment can be anywhere from a few weeks to over a year depending on the demand in their area.

Many families have found themselves seeking alternative avenues to support their children’s development and promote better mental health for their teens and younger children. While Pediatric Occupational Therapy is not a “one-to-one” substitute for psychotherapy, it can act as a valuable complement to therapy and teach children important life skills to help make the wait for a psychology visit much easier.

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy encompasses a wide range of interventions aimed at helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in their daily lives. From enhancing coordination and fine motor skills to improving communication and social interaction, occupational therapy for kids addresses various aspects of development crucial for overall well-being.

Pediatric occupational therapy treatments can have significant overlap with traditional counseling. The biggest area of overlap is in training emotional regulation skills and promoting better emotional health for children. In this article, we’ll cover the following “Big 3” of pediatric occupational therapy when it comes to mental health.

Emotional Regulation Therapy
Executive Function Skills Training
Social Skills Training

1. Emotional Regulation Therapy for Children

It’s so important to remember that children are just tiny humans. They deal with the same daily flux of emotions and stressors that adults do, just in different situations. Just as adults have to learn throughout life to cope with everyday stresses, kids need to be taught healthy coping mechanisms. That’s where pediatric occupational therapy comes in!

Through tailored activities and interventions, occupational therapists help children learn to identify and manage their emotions effectively, laying a foundation for better mental health outcomes in the long term. Omni Kid’s emotional regulation therapy services help with the following skills:

Impulse control
Emotional self-regulation
Connecting emotions to behaviors
Learning to share and express emotions with others
Metacognition (awareness and understanding of internal thought processes)
Education to parents and families on how to manage emotional dysregulation

2. Executive Function Skills for Kids

Executive functioning skills include skills such as problem-solving, planning, and organization. The same way that adults have to learn to balance their days between home, work, and family, children often need to learn how to navigate the demands of their school, home, and social environments.

Occupational therapy intervention targets these specific executive function skills. Children are empowered to become more independent and confident in managing their daily tasks and responsibilities. At Omni Kids, our executive function skills training covers the following basic skills, as well as others:

Ability to focus and pay attention
Being persistent in a healthy way.
Task initiation
Working memory
Developing mental flexibility in different situations

3. Children’s Social Skills Development

Finally, pediatric occupational therapy can help promote the development and refinement of social skills, another critical aspect of children’s mental wellness. The way kids interact with and relate to their peers can have a major impact on their mental health.

Childhood is a crucial time to develop these social skills. By engaging children in play-based activities and group sessions, pediatric occupational therapists create opportunities for them to practice social interactions, develop empathy, and build meaningful connections with peers. Omni Kids helps children develop the following vital social skills:

Conversational Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Emotional Skills
Social Play
Peer and Family Interactions
Self-Awareness Skills
Self-Confidence

Pediatric Occupational Therapy is a Complementary Therapy

While our team of pediatric occupational therapists does not claim to replace kids counselors, we can play a crucial role in supporting struggling children and their families. By focusing on skill-building and functional abilities, occupational therapy helps children make tangible progress in areas that contribute to their overall well-being.

At Omni Kids, we take a collaborative approach to ensure that children receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs and strengths both in the Omni Kids office and at home.

Pediatric occupational therapy is a valuable complement to children’s psychotherapy, even though it is not a direct replacement. Addressing developmental challenges and promoting mental health and well-being can bridge the gap between traditional counseling and practical skill-building.

Find Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Twin Falls

If you’re seeking support for your child’s development and mental health, consider incorporating pediatric occupational therapy into their care plan. Get in touch with the team at Omni Kids today to schedule your first consultation.

We’ll talk through the issues your child is facing and come up with a comprehensive treatment plan designed to help them build confidence and overcome the hurdles they’re facing. Together, we can help your child reach their full potential and build a brighter, healthier future.