Healing Together: Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
At RiverValley’s Children’s Hospital, therapy is at the heart of every child’s treatment. Our licensed therapists provide individual, group, and family therapy sessions tailored to each child’s unique needs, helping young people develop coping skills, process difficult experiences, and strengthen the relationships that support their recovery.
Therapy is a core component of inpatient treatment at our Children’s Hospital. Every child admitted receives a combination of individual, group, and family therapy as part of their individualized treatment plan, designed to address the emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges they are facing.
Individual therapy gives each child dedicated time with a licensed therapist to work through personal challenges in a safe, confidential setting. Using evidence-based approaches including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), therapists help children and adolescents process trauma, manage intense emotions, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.
Group therapy brings young people together in facilitated sessions where they can learn from shared experiences, practice social skills, and build confidence in a supportive peer environment. Group topics are age-appropriate and may include emotion regulation, conflict resolution, communication skills, healthy coping strategies, and relapse prevention. Group sessions help children realize they are not alone in their struggles and provide opportunities to practice new skills in real time.
Family therapy recognizes that a child’s healing does not happen in isolation. Our therapists work with families to improve communication, address family dynamics that may contribute to the child’s challenges, and equip parents and caregivers with the tools they need to support their child after discharge. Family sessions may include parents, siblings, guardians, and other important figures in the child’s life.
All therapy at our Children’s Hospital is delivered within a trauma-informed framework. Our therapists are trained in relationship-based approaches to safety and crisis prevention that emphasize respect, dignity, empowerment, and de-escalation through understanding and empathy. Treatment plans are reviewed and updated regularly by the full multidisciplinary team to ensure each child is progressing toward their goals.
To learn more about therapy services at our Children’s Hospital, call (270) 689-6800 or contact us online. Our Walk-In Clinic is open 24/7 — no appointment necessary.
What to Expect
Therapy begins shortly after admission. Your child’s therapist will meet with them individually to build rapport and begin their assessment, and will also reach out to your family to schedule family therapy sessions. Group therapy is part of the daily schedule and is facilitated by licensed therapists in age-appropriate settings.
As discharge approaches, the therapy team works closely with your family to develop an aftercare plan that includes outpatient therapy recommendations and community resources to support your child’s continued progress at home.
Other Children’s Hospital Services
Inpatient Services
Intensive, round-the-clock psychiatric care for children and teens ages 4-17. Individualized treatment plans, on-site school, and family involvement throughout the healing process.
Acute Psychiatric Inpatient
Immediate safety and stabilization for children and teens in psychiatric crisis. Short-term inpatient care with rapid assessment, 24/7 monitoring, and comprehensive aftercare planning.
Specialized Therapeutic Activities
Art, music, movement, and recreation designed to promote healing and self-expression. Our specialized activities help children build confidence, develop coping skills, and discover new strengths.
Medication Evaluation Management
Careful medication evaluation by child and adolescent psychiatrists. Family-involved decision-making, close monitoring, and clear discharge planning for the best possible outcomes.
Nursing Care Crisis Support
Registered nurses and behavioral health associates providing continuous, compassionate care and crisis support around the clock. Trained in pediatric psychiatric care and therapeutic intervention techniques.
Behavioral Intervention Services
Evidence-based behavioral intervention focused on understanding root causes and building healthier skills. Individualized behavioral plans, consistent reinforcement, and family education for lasting positive change.
Specialized Therapies
Targeted programs including the STATE Program for autism spectrum disorder, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based clinical approaches tailored to each child’s unique needs and diagnosis.
