What Kind of Therapy Is Best for Kids? A Quick Guide for Confused Parents

You’ve made the decision to get support for your child—huge.
But then you Google “child therapy” and find yourself drowning in a sea of acronyms, buzzwords, and Pinterest-worthy therapy room photos.

CBT. DBT. PCIT. Play-based. Trauma-informed. Attachment-focused.
What does any of it mean—and how are you supposed to choose?

At Sunburst Psychology, we work with families throughout Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland who come in feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and slightly embarrassed they didn’t major in child development before having kids. You’re not alone.

Here’s a guide to the most common therapy approaches for children, what they actually look like, and how to know what might be the best fit for your family.

1. Play-Based Therapy

Best for: Young children (ages 4–10), kids who struggle to verbalize feelings

Instead of sitting and talking, kids explore their emotions through play—because play is their language. Therapists use toys, art, stories, and movement to help children express, process, and practice new emotional skills.

At Sunburst: This is foundational in our work with younger kids. It’s not just “play”—it’s structured, developmentally appropriate therapy that builds real skills.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Best for: School-aged kids and teens struggling with anxiety, depression, or self-esteem issues

CBT helps kids notice unhelpful thoughts (“Everyone thinks I’m weird”), challenge them, and replace them with more accurate, balanced ones. It also teaches practical skills for managing emotions and behaviors.

At Sunburst: We blend CBT into our work with older kids and teens—without making it feel like a workbook session.

3. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Best for: Young children with behavioral challenges (tantrums, defiance, aggression)

PCIT involves live coaching for parents as they interact with their child in session. It’s highly structured, evidence-based, and teaches clear strategies for improving behavior through connection.

At Sunburst: This is part of our parent training track, especially for families dealing with persistent behavior challenges.

4. Attachment-Focused or Relational Therapy

Best for: Kids with trauma histories, adoption, anxiety, or who seem “emotionally guarded”

This approach helps kids build safe, trusting relationships with caregivers and therapists, which is key to emotional healing. It’s about deep connection, not quick fixes.

At Sunburst: We integrate attachment-focused work into nearly everything—because connection is the foundation of growth.

5. Support for Neurodivergent Kids (ADHD, Autism, Giftedness)

Best for: Children with neurodiverse traits who often struggle with emotional regulation, sensory issues, or feeling misunderstood

Therapy here is about affirming identity while teaching practical tools—emotional regulation, flexibility, social connection, and sensory coping.

At Sunburst: We take a strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent kids and their families. That means no pathologizing—just support that actually fits.

So... Which One Is Best?

Here’s the truth: it depends on your child.

At Sunburst Psychology, we don’t try to force kids into a one-size-fits-all model. We get to know them, collaborate with you, and tailor an approach that addresses both surface symptoms and deeper emotional needs.

Sometimes that means a play-based foundation with some CBT tools.
Sometimes that means combining child therapy and parent training.
Sometimes that means coaching a parent while helping a teen navigate perfectionism, identity, or burnout.

Real growth comes from flexibility, attunement, and expertise. (Which is our thing.)

Therapy for Kids in Bellevue, Redmond & Kirkland

Whether your child is struggling with emotions, behavior, anxiety, or identity—therapy can help them feel understood, supported, and more confident in who they are.

Let us help you find an approach that works.