This household is very pro therapy! However, it’s so hard to know where to start, what the different types of therapies mean and what may be best for you or your child. With it being Sensory Processing Awareness Month, I thought I would explore the many types of therapy available for children and families; from occupational and speech therapy to CBT and talk therapy.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational Therapy helps kids build the skills they need for everyday life, from tying shoes and brushing teeth to regulating their emotions.
Common goals:
- Improving fine and gross motor skills
- Building independence with self-care
- Supporting emotional and sensory regulation
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy goes beyond pronunciation. It can also help children who struggle with communication, social interaction, and feeding.
Speech therapists work on everything from articulation and expressive language to understanding nonverbal cues.
Common goals:
- Improving clarity and confidence in speech
- Strengthening language comprehension
- Supporting social communication and pragmatic skills
Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapists help children build strength, balance, and coordination. This therapy is especially beneficial for kids with developmental delays, low muscle tone, or motor planning challenges.
Common goals:
- Increasing strength and endurance
- Improving posture and balance
- Building coordination for daily tasks and play
Play Therapy
Play therapy uses play, a child’s natural form of expression, to help them process big feelings and experiences. It can be especially effective for children who have anxiety, trauma, or difficulty expressing emotions verbally.
Common goals:
- Building emotional awareness
- Developing coping and problem-solving skills
- Strengthening trust and communication with caregivers
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps children (and adults) recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive, realistic ones.
It’s a powerful tool for anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation. Therapists often use visual aids, role-play, and journaling to make CBT age-appropriate and engaging.
Common goals:
- Managing anxious or negative thoughts
- Building resilience and confidence
- Developing coping strategies for real-life challenges
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy provides a safe, judgment-free space for both kids and parents to explore feelings, relationships, and stressors. For parents, it can also be an invaluable form of support when navigating a child’s diagnosis or behavioral challenges.
Common goals:
- Reducing stress and overwhelm
- Improving communication within families
- Processing emotions in a healthy, supported way
Feeding Therapy
Feeding therapy helps children who struggle with eating, whether due to sensory sensitivities, oral motor challenges, or anxiety around food.
A therapist might use gradual exposure, play, and desensitization to help make mealtime more positive and successful.
Common goals:
- Increasing comfort with new foods
- Building safe swallowing and chewing skills
- Reducing mealtime anxiety and power struggles
Parent and Family Therapy
Therapy isn’t just for kids, it’s for families, too. Parent coaching or family therapy can help improve communication, set boundaries, and strengthen relationships.
Common goals:
- Building teamwork between caregivers
- Creating consistent routines
- Understanding and supporting each child’s needs
Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every child and every family is unique. What matters most is finding the right combination of support that meets your child where they are.
Whether it’s OT for sensory needs, CBT for anxiety, or play therapy to help your child open up, each form of therapy is a step toward greater understanding, connection, and confidence.
