Top Signs Your Child May Benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Key Points

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps children understand and manage the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
• Signs that a child may benefit from CBT include persistent worries, avoidance of social situations, difficulty focusing, and negative self-talk.
• Sureway Health & Wellbeing provides compassionate and personalised CBT for children using age-appropriate techniques in safe, supportive settings.
• Services are available in-person or via telehealth, making it easier for families across Australia to access professional mental health support.

Summary

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a practical and evidence-based approach that helps children better understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Children who experience persistent worries, difficulty focusing, social withdrawal, or negative self-talk may benefit from CBT to build resilience and healthy coping strategies. Sureway Health & Wellbeing offers personalised, child-focused CBT services both in-person and via telehealth, supporting families across Australia with compassionate, professional care.

Outline

1. Introduction
2. What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
3. Signs Your Child May Benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
4. How Our Psychology & Counselling Services Can Help You
5. Do You Need Additional Assistance?

Every parent wants their child to feel confident, capable, and happy. But sometimes, children face emotional or behavioural challenges that are hard to understand, and even harder to manage on their own.

If your child is experiencing persistent worries, mood swings, or difficulty coping with everyday life, this guide will help you understand the signs indicating that they may benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

CBT for children is a type of evidence-based therapy that helps kids understand the link between how they think, feel, and act. It gives them the tools they need to manage difficult thoughts and emotions in a safe and constructive way.

In children's cognitive behavioural therapy, therapists use creative, age-appropriate strategies like storytelling, drawing, play, and role-playing to help children work through challenges and gain a better understanding of what they are feeling.

Whether they’re experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, ADHD, or emotional regulation, CBT can make a meaningful difference in helping your child build resilience and confidence.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

It’s not always easy to tell when a child needs extra help, especially when their struggles don’t always look the same as those in adults. Here are some signs that your child may benefit from CBT:

1. Persistent worries or fears – Your child may be frequently anxious, ask repetitive questions for reassurance, or show intense fear around certain situations.

2. Avoidance of school or social activities – They might resist going to school, avoid playdates, or pull away from friends and family.

3. Difficulty focusing or sitting still – Struggling to stay on task, follow instructions, or stay seated could be a sign of underlying issues like anxiety or ADHD.

4. Negative self-talk – Statements like “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never get it right” may point to low self-esteem or unhelpful thinking patterns.

5. Mood swings or frequent irritability – Your child may go from calm to upset very quickly, and small triggers may lead to big emotional outbursts.

6. Physical complaints with no medical explanation – Ongoing tummy aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping can be signs of emotional distress.

7. Difficulty handling change – Transitions like moving house, starting a new school, or family separation can be especially overwhelming.

8. Perfectionism or fear of failure – Your child may set extremely high standards for themselves and become distressed when they don’t meet them.

9. Obsessive behaviours or rigid routines – Repetitive actions or rituals that seem to reduce anxiety may also indicate a deeper issue.

10. Withdrawal or lack of enjoyment – If your child no longer seems to enjoy things they once loved, it could signal sadness or a loss of interest.

How Our Psychology & Counselling Services Can Help You

At Sureway Health & Wellbeing, we understand how challenging it can be to see your child struggle. That’s why we offer compassionate, professional support through a range of evidence-based therapies, including CBT for kids, children’s cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy. We also provide cognitive behavioural therapy for ADHD for children needing support with focus and self-regulation.

Our Bundoora, VIC team specialises in working with children, teens, and adolescents. We offer sessions both in-person and through telehealth, so you can access support in a way that suits your family’s needs. Our warm, family-friendly clinics are safe, welcoming spaces where your child can be themselves. We also make sure that our creative techniques, such as drawing, role-playing, games, and storytelling, are tailored to your child’s developmental stage and emotional needs.

At the heart of what we do is a deep respect for every child’s individuality. Through consistent, caring support, we help them express their emotions, build confidence, and develop the coping tools they need to thrive.

Do You Need Additional Assistance?

If you’ve recognised any of the signs we mentioned above in your child, or if you’re just not sure where to turn, know that you’re not alone in your journey. Our qualified therapists are here to offer telehealth and in-person sessions designed to meet your family where you’re at.

Reach out today to find out more about our Psychology & Counselling support services or to book a telehealth appointment with our trusted therapists. Together, we’ll help your child feel heard, supported, and empowered.