Psychotherapeutic treatment for children and adolescents
A safe space for development
Children and adolescents often do not express their worries directly. Instead, mental distress frequently manifests through behavioral problems, anxiety, withdrawal, sadness, outbursts of anger, concentration issues, sleep disorders, or physical complaints.
In psychotherapy, young people are given a safe space where they can express and process their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Depending on their age and developmental stage, different therapeutic methods are used. While younger children often communicate their inner world through play, drawing, or creative forms of expression, discussions, reflection, and the joint development of new solution strategies increasingly become the focus for adolescents.
Express emotions
Young people are given a safe space where they can express and process their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
Work in an age-appropriate manner
Younger children often share their inner world through play, drawing, or creative forms of expression. With adolescents, conversations and reflection are more central.
Develop new approaches
Together, new solution strategies are developed, emotional stability is promoted, and existing resources are strengthened.
When psychotherapy can be helpful
Psychotherapy can support children and adolescents with various mental health issues, emotional crises, and everyday difficulties.
Fears & Panic
For anxiety, panic, as well as obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Mood & Withdrawal
For depression, persistent sadness, social withdrawal, or low self-esteem.
Attention & School
At ADHD, concentration problems, school problems, or high performance pressure.
Eating behavior & body
For eating disorders or psychosomatic complaints.
Behavior & Crises
In cases of behavioral abnormalities, temper tantrums, or emotional crises.
Losses & Life Events
For separations, losses, or other stressful life events.
This is how psychotherapy can proceed
Depending on age and developmental stage, different therapeutic methods are used. Younger children frequently express themselves through play, drawing, or creative forms. With adolescents, the focus is on conversation, reflection, and jointly developed solution strategies. Depending on the age and the specific issue, parental work is an important component of the treatment.
01 · Clarify request
I'm Initial consultation the current situation, the burdens, and the needs of the child or young person are assessed together.
02 · Working appropriately for the age group
The therapeutic methods are adapted to age, developmental stage, personality, and individual needs.
03 · Involving parents
Regular parent-teacher conferences help to jointly understand developments and sustainably anchor changes in everyday life.
You don't need to know yet what kind of support your child needs.
Our psychotherapists will support you in assessing the situation and finding appropriate next steps for your child and your family.
Methods of child and adolescent psychotherapy
The therapy is individually tailored to the needs, strengths, and personality of the child or adolescent. The goal is to process distressing experiences, develop new coping strategies, and support healthy development in the long term.
Younger children often share their inner world through play, drawing, or other creative forms of expression.
For teenagers, conversations, reflection, and the mutual understanding of feelings, thoughts, and experiences are increasingly taking center stage.
Together, new ways of dealing with challenges are developed and tested in everyday life.
Regular parent-teacher conferences help to jointly understand developments and firmly anchor changes in everyday life.
The treatment is tailored to the child's or adolescent's age, level of development, personality, strengths, and needs.
Important to know
Depending on the age of the child and the specific issue, collaboration with parents is an important part of treatment, while adolescents are also provided with a protected and confidential space for conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the beginning, course, and framework of psychotherapy for children and adolescents.
Beginning of psychotherapy
A confirmed diagnosis is not a prerequisite. During the initial consultation, it will be determined together what kind of support is appropriate.
Parents & Confidentiality
Parents are involved in an age-appropriate manner. At the same time, teenagers are given a safe space for confidential conversations.
Duration & Scope
Duration and frequency depend on the issue, the burden, and the jointly agreed therapy goals.
Questions and answers
Psychotherapy is advisable when psychological distress persists over a longer period, the child or adolescent is suffering, or daily life in the family, kindergarten, or school is significantly impaired.
No. A confirmed diagnosis is not a prerequisite. During the initial consultation, it is determined together whether psychotherapy makes sense or whether further diagnostic steps be recommended.
That depends on the child's age and the specific question. For younger children, we work closely with the parents. Adolescents are given a safe space for confidential conversations. Nevertheless, regular parent-teacher conferences are an important part of the treatment.
This varies by individual and depends on the concern, the severity of the burden, and the jointly agreed upon therapy goals.
In general, psychotherapy takes place once a week. Depending on the issue, the frequency can be adjusted individually.
Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is subject to legal confidentiality. A confidential setting is an important prerequisite for successful treatment, especially for adolescents. Information provided to parents is done – according to age – only to the extent that is therapeutically meaningful and necessary.
You are going to meet someone new that you can talk to about anything that's on your mind. There's no right or wrong thing to talk about, and no one will be forced to talk.
That's perfectly fine. Trust is built step by step. Younger children, in particular, often express themselves through play, drawing, or other creative methods. Therapy is always adapted to the child's age and personality.
Only with your express consent. Collaboration with schools, kindergartens, or other professionals can be helpful in some cases, but will only occur after mutual consultation.
Our concern
Our aim is to see children and adolescents not just in terms of their symptoms, but to understand the person behind the complaints. In a trusting, appreciative, and safe atmosphere, we accompany young people in discovering their strengths, processing distressing experiences, and developing new ways of dealing with challenges. Together with parents, we create the foundation for children and adolescents to once again walk their own path with greater self-confidence, joy for life, and inner security.
We see children and adolescents not only in terms of their symptoms, but want to understand the person behind the complaints.
In an appreciative and safe atmosphere, we accompany young people in discovering their strengths and processing distressing experiences.
Together with the parents, we create the foundation for greater self-confidence, joy of life, and inner security.
Find suitable psychotherapists for children and adolescents in Vienna
- Last update: 08/11/2026
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Find psychotherapists who support children and adolescents appropriately for their age during mental distress, emotional crises, and in difficult life situations.
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