Why I Love Working with Kids (And Why I Don’t Just Hand Them Worksheets)
Working with kids is one of the greatest joys of my work as a therapist. Their honesty, creativity, and resilience constantly inspire me. But just as every child is unique, I believe therapy with kids should be, too.
Too often, child therapy can default to a one-size-fits-all approach—structured workbooks, rigid behavioral strategies, and task-oriented checklists. While tools like CBT and DBT have their place, I believe therapy for kids should go deeper than giving them homework or quick-fix coping skills.
A Different Approach
In my work, I focus on listening first. I want to know:
What matters most to this child?
What’s their world like—at home, at school, inside their heart?
What do they want to work on?
Kids are often navigating really big feelings—anxiety, grief, anger, loneliness—without always having the words to express them. So I take time to build trust and create space for those feelings to unfold, in their own way and at their own pace.
Narrative Therapy with Kids
Narrative therapy invites kids to explore the stories they hold about themselves and their lives. It’s not about fixing them—it’s about helping them recognize their strengths, name their struggles, and feel seen for who they truly are. In this work:
The child is the expert on their life.
We might use play, drawing, sand, movement, or metaphors to explore their inner world.
We center their voice, not just adult expectations.
Why It Matters
When a child feels safe, heard, and respected, something shifts. They begin to speak with more confidence. They start to make sense of hard emotions. They learn that their thoughts and feelings matter—not just in therapy, but everywhere.
And that’s what I love most: watching a child step into their own story—not one written for them, but one they’re learning to write themselves.
Warmly,
Abbey Vince, AMFT
