Treatment for Depression in Children
Caring & Professional Psychotherapy for Childhood Depression
Newport Beach | Orange County CA
Is Your Child Often Tearful, Grumpy or Withdrawn?
What is Childhood Depression?
Does your child struggle with nightmares or falling asleep in their own room? Do they frequently initiate conflict with other children? Is your child frequently tearful or tired?
Depression looks different with children. Most notably, children who struggle with depression can appear irritable, defiant, or aggressive, rather than the typical hopelessness or helplessness seen in adults.
Depression is one of the most common disorders in the U.S., with approximately 1 in 10 people suffering from clinically significant symptoms (Compton, Conway, Stinson, & Grant, 2006; CDC, 2010).
Symptoms of depression might include (DSM-5):
Bouts of anger
Lack of focus or attention
Loss of hope
Helplessness
Feeling down or sad
Sleep or appetite changes
Tiredness
Irritability
Thoughts of suicide or death*
Isolation or loneliness
* If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, contact the suicide hotline immediately (1-800-273-8255), or call 911.
Depression can begin with traumatic experiences, major life changes, issues with health or diet, and other factors. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S. (CDC, 2010), resulting in long-term consequences and missed opportunities. For example, a child with depression may struggle to focus in class, thereby decreasing academic performance, thereby resulting in inability to attend college or get a well-suited job.
Do not wait, take action today to improve your child’s wellbeing. If you or your child struggles with symptoms of depression, please contact me as soon as possible.
Treatment for Depression
Psychotherapy is the safest and most effective treatment option for children with depression (Barth et al, 2013; Beard et al, 2016). With younger children, parents are often involved in the treatment process to expedite the child’s progress.
As with other mental health concerns, the first and most important step for treatment involves careful diagnosis and treatment planning. Depression and anxiety can look very similarly in children, and the treatment is different.
As a Cognitive Behavioral psychologist, I focus on your child’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to their symptoms of depression. As your child progresses in therapy, they will learn to:
Communicate feelings of distress in a healthy manner
Identify problematic ways of thinking
Develop comfort with sharing openly with parents
Decrease thoughts of suicide
Feel more connected with family and friends
Improve self-esteem
Have control over life’s challenges
I believe that your child has the power to overcome their struggles. As we work together as a team to help them deal with depression, your child will feel supported during this difficult time.
If you, your child, or a loved one struggles with symptoms of depression, contact me as soon as possible to schedule your first session. To read about how depression affects adults, check out the Treatment of Depression in Adults page to learn more.
Interested? Let’s connect!
If you or your child are interested in therapy services, contact me as soon as possible. I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about my practice.
It is never too late for your child to receive treatment. I believe I can help make a difference in your child’s life.
Together, we can help them reach their potential.
Dr. Montgomery holds dual certifications in Clinical Psychology (California Board of Psychology PSY28475) and Family Therapy (California Board of Behavioral Sciences MFT49608). He has dedicated his professional and academic activities to understanding and addressing psychological, behavioral and interpersonal health in children, adolescents, and families.
Education:
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology
M.A. Clinical Psychology
M.S. Counseling Psychology
B.A. Psychology