Types of Therapy for Children Explained

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy (SLT) supports children who have difficulty with communication. This can include children who are late to talk, those who struggle to be understood, children who find it hard to follow instructions or understand what others are saying, and those who have difficulty with social communication skills.

Speech and language therapists work on a wide range of areas including articulation (how clearly a child produces sounds), language comprehension and expression, fluency (such as stammering), voice, and pragmatic language (the social use of language). Therapy is often play-based for younger children and may incorporate games, stories, and activities that build skills in a natural, engaging way.

Qualified speech and language therapists in the UK are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and are usually members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). When looking for a therapist, it can be helpful to check that they have specific experience with children and with the particular area of difficulty your child is experiencing.

Speech and language therapy may be particularly helpful for children with developmental language disorder, autism spectrum conditions, hearing loss, cleft palate, Down syndrome, or selective mutism, though any child with communication difficulties can potentially benefit.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) for children focuses on helping them develop the skills they need for everyday activities — what therapists refer to as "occupations." For children, these occupations include playing, learning, self-care tasks like dressing and eating, handwriting, and participating in school life.

A paediatric occupational therapist may work with children who have difficulty with fine motor skills (such as holding a pencil or using scissors), gross motor skills (such as balance and coordination), sensory processing (how they respond to sights, sounds, textures, and movement), self-regulation (managing their emotions and energy levels), and daily living skills.

OT for children is often very practical and hands-on. Sessions might involve activities designed to strengthen hand muscles, sensory play to help a child become more comfortable with different textures, or practising routines like getting dressed using step-by-step visual supports. The therapist will often provide a programme of activities for parents to continue at home.

Occupational therapists in the UK are registered with the HCPC and may be members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). Paediatric OTs have additional training and experience in working with children, and some specialise in particular areas such as sensory integration or handwriting.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is one of the most widely researched forms of therapy for children and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

CBT for children is adapted to be age-appropriate. For younger children, it may involve stories, drawings, games, and role-play to help them identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns. For older children and teenagers, sessions may be more discussion-based, with the therapist helping them develop practical strategies for managing difficult thoughts and emotions.

A course of CBT typically involves a set number of sessions, often between 8 and 20, depending on the child's needs. Between sessions, the child may be given tasks to practise at home, such as keeping a thought diary or trying out new ways of responding to situations that make them anxious.

CBT for children is delivered by a range of professionals, including clinical psychologists, child psychotherapists, and specially trained counsellors. When looking for a CBT therapist for your child, it can be helpful to check that they are registered with an appropriate body such as the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), the HCPC, or the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Play Therapy and Art Therapy

Play therapy uses play as a means of helping children express their feelings, make sense of difficult experiences, and develop coping strategies. It is based on the understanding that play is a child's natural way of communicating and processing the world around them. Play therapy can be particularly helpful for children who find it hard to express their feelings through words alone.

In a play therapy session, the child has access to a range of toys, art materials, sand, water, and other resources. The therapist creates a safe, accepting environment where the child can play freely. Through their play, children often work through anxieties, trauma, anger, grief, and other emotional difficulties. Play therapists are trained to observe and respond to the themes that emerge, gently supporting the child's process without directing it.

Art therapy takes a similar approach but uses creative media — drawing, painting, sculpting, collage — as the primary means of expression. Like play therapy, it provides children with a way to communicate feelings and experiences that they may not yet have the words for. Art therapy can be beneficial for children who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life changes, as well as those with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Play therapists in the UK may be registered with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) or Play Therapy UK (PTUK). Art therapists are registered with the HCPC. When choosing a creative therapist for your child, checking their registration and asking about their experience with children of a similar age and with similar needs can help you find a good fit.

Family Therapy and Behavioural Therapy

Family therapy, sometimes called systemic therapy, works with the whole family rather than focusing on one individual. It is based on the idea that difficulties experienced by one family member often affect and are affected by the wider family system. A family therapist helps family members understand each other's perspectives, improve communication, and find new ways of relating to one another.

Family therapy can be helpful when a child's difficulties are affecting the whole family, when there are relationship difficulties between parents and children, during or after separation or divorce, or when a family is adjusting to a significant change such as bereavement or a new diagnosis. Sessions may involve the whole family together, or the therapist may see different combinations of family members at different times.

Family therapists in the UK are typically registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT). They will have completed postgraduate training in systemic therapy.

Behavioural therapy for children focuses specifically on understanding and changing patterns of behaviour. It draws on principles of learning theory to help children develop more helpful behaviours and reduce those that are causing difficulties. Techniques may include positive reinforcement, structured routines, visual supports, and social stories. Behavioural approaches are often used for children with autism, ADHD, and challenging behaviour, and are frequently incorporated into broader therapeutic programmes.

Parent training programmes, such as those based on behavioural principles, can also be an effective way of supporting children. These programmes teach parents strategies for managing behaviour in a positive, consistent way and are recommended by NICE for children with conduct difficulties.

Choosing the Right Therapy for Your Child

With so many therapy options available, choosing the right one for your child can feel like a significant decision. It can be helpful to start by thinking about what your child's main difficulties are. If communication is the primary concern, speech and language therapy is likely to be the most relevant starting point. If your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, or emotional wellbeing, CBT or play therapy may be more appropriate. For difficulties with motor skills, sensory processing, or daily living tasks, occupational therapy is often the best fit.

Some children benefit from more than one type of therapy. For example, a child with autism might see a speech and language therapist for communication support, an occupational therapist for sensory needs, and a psychologist for emotional wellbeing. Where multiple therapies are involved, it can be helpful to ensure that the professionals are communicating with each other so that the child's support is coordinated.

When choosing a therapist, there are a few things worth checking. Professional registration is important — look for registration with the HCPC, BPS, BACP, UKCP, RCSLT, or the relevant specialist body for the type of therapy. Experience working with children of a similar age and with similar needs to your child is also valuable. Many parents find it helpful to have an initial conversation or consultation with a therapist before committing to a course of sessions.

ChildWize can help you find qualified therapists across all of these disciplines. You can browse profiles, filter by specialism, and read about each professional's experience and approach before booking.