Any parent or caregiver knows that children often struggle with emotions that seem too big to handle. Whether it’s an outburst when they can’t find their favorite toy or a meltdown at the dinner table, it can sometimes feel like there’s little you can do to help your child manage these intense feelings. Emotional regulation, or the ability to manage emotional responses to external stimuli, is a skill that many children, and adults for that matter, struggle to master.
But there’s good news: there are effective ways to manage and learn to regulate even the most difficult emotions.
In this guide, we’re exploring the area of emotional regulation therapy, including how it works and why it can be an invaluable tool in helping children stay calm and successfully manage stress. We’ll take a look at the specific conditions it helps, effective emotional regulation strategies, and the relationship between emotional regulation therapy and a broader occupational therapy (OT) program. Our goal is to give you a better understanding of the options available to support your child and help them build the tools they need to manage complex emotions.
What is Emotional Regulation Therapy?
Emotional regulation therapy, or ERT, is a therapeutic approach designed to help children understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way. At its core, it helps kids develop the skills to identify when they’re feeling overwhelmed, and more importantly, how to respond to those emotions without resorting to tantrums, aggression, or withdrawal. The goal is to teach children how to regulate their emotional responses in real-time, so they can engage with others, perform well in school, and navigate social situations with confidence.
This therapy is grounded in the understanding that emotional regulation is a learned skill that requires both awareness and practice. For children, this might look like learning how to calm down when they feel anxious or angry, recognizing when they’re becoming overstimulated, and finding ways to return to a state of emotional balance.
The Relationship Between Emotional Regulation Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists commonly help children with developmental as well as behavioral challenges. OT is a broader discipline that helps people develop the skills they need to perform daily tasks — whether it’s fine motor skills, sensory processing, or social interaction. OT is often used with children who experience difficulties in these areas, whether due to developmental disorders like autism, sensory processing disorder, or ADHD.
Emotional regulation is deeply tied to these skills. Children who struggle with sensory processing or attention regulation often also struggle with emotional regulation. For example, a child with ADHD may find it difficult to focus, which can lead to frustration and emotional outbursts. Likewise, a child with sensory sensitivities might become overwhelmed in busy environments, which can trigger an emotional response they cannot control.
In occupational therapy, emotional regulation often becomes a key focus when helping a child with sensory processing issues or developmental delays. Many occupational therapists are trained to integrate emotional regulation strategies into their therapeutic approach, making ERT a natural extension of the work they do. By focusing on emotional regulation, OTs can help children better process sensory information and improve their self-regulation, which ultimately enhances their ability to function more effectively in everyday situations.
What Behaviors Does Emotional Regulation Therapy Help With?
Emotional regulation therapy helps children in a range of ways, especially those who experience emotional outbursts, anxiety, irritability, or other behavioral challenges. Some of the common issues that ERT can address include:
- Tantrums and meltdowns: For children who have difficulty managing strong emotions, ERT can provide tools to reduce the frequency and intensity of tantrums and meltdowns, especially in stressful situations like transitions or changes in routine.
- Anxiety: Children who experience high levels of anxiety can benefit from learning coping strategies to manage nervousness or fear, especially in situations like school, social gatherings, or doctor’s visits.
- Anger management: Many children struggle with feeling angry and may not know how to express their emotions without resorting to physical aggression or verbal outbursts. ERT teaches kids how to safely express their feelings and calm down before their anger escalates.
- Impulsivity and hyperactivity: For children who struggle with impulse control, like those with ADHD, ERT provides strategies to help them pause and think before reacting, allowing for more measured responses to emotional triggers.
- Self-regulation for social success: Learning to manage one’s emotions can help improve social interactions with peers. Children who can regulate their emotions are more likely to engage in positive, healthy relationships with others.
Who Needs Emotional Regulation Therapy?
Not every child will need formal emotional regulation therapy. But some children may benefit from it if they struggle with any of the following:
- Sensory processing disorder: Children who have difficulty processing sensory information may become overstimulated, leading to emotional dysregulation. ERT can help them manage their reactions to sensory input.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty with emotional regulation, often reacting strongly to unexpected changes or sensory overload. ERT can teach them ways to process emotions more effectively.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Children with ADHD may struggle with impulse control, leading to difficulty regulating their emotions. ERT helps teach strategies to pause, assess, and respond thoughtfully in stressful situations.
- Anxiety disorders: Children with anxiety often feel overwhelmed by their emotions. ERT can help them develop coping strategies to calm their minds and regulate their emotional responses.
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD): Children with ODD may frequently have angry outbursts or display defiant behavior. ERT helps them understand how their emotions drive their behavior and teaches healthier coping strategies.
Typical Interventions and Emotional Regulation Strategies for Children
Many different interventions can be used in emotional regulation therapy, depending on the child’s specific needs and challenges. Some common strategies include:
- Mindfulness techniques: Teaching children to focus on the present moment can help them manage their emotions by increasing their awareness of their emotions. Techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, or simple body scans can help children calm their nervous system when they start to feel stressed.
- Cognitive behavioral strategies (CBT): Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques are often used to help children identify and challenge negative thought patterns that may contribute to emotional dysregulation. This helps them reframe situations and cope with difficult emotions more effectively.
- Sensory integration activities: For children with sensory processing difficulties, therapists may use sensory integration activities that help them become more aware of their sensory experiences and learn to regulate their responses to these stimuli. For example, a child might practice using calming sensory tools, like a weighted blanket or stress ball, to reduce anxiety.
- Self-calming techniques: Teaching children specific strategies to calm down — such as counting to ten, using positive self-talk, or taking a break from an overstimulating environment — can help them develop more control over their emotions.
- Emotion identification and labeling: One of the first steps in emotional regulation is teaching children to recognize and name their feelings. By identifying emotions, children can start to understand the intensity and triggers of their feelings, which in turn helps them manage them more effectively.
- Behavioral strategies: Positive reinforcement can encourage children to use emotional regulation techniques. For example, rewarding a child with a calming activity after they successfully manage a stressful situation reinforces the importance of emotional self-regulation.
The Role of Families in Emotional Regulation Therapy
Family involvement is essential in emotional regulation therapy. For children, their caregivers are often the first line of support when emotions start to escalate. Parents and family members can play a pivotal role in reinforcing the strategies learned in therapy by providing consistent support at home.
Families can encourage emotional regulation by:
- Modeling healthy emotional responses: Children often learn by observing their caregivers. When parents model calmness, patience, and emotional awareness, it shows children how to regulate their emotions in similar situations.
- Creating a calming environment: A predictable, calming environment at home can help children feel secure. This might involve creating a quiet space for the child to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed or establishing routines that reduce stress.
- Using reinforcement: Positive reinforcement, like praise or rewards, can motivate children to continue using emotional regulation strategies. Acknowledging their progress helps children feel empowered and encourages continued effort.
- Open communication: Talking openly about emotions helps children feel understood and supported. Encouraging children to express how they’re feeling can be a key part of the emotional regulation process.
Working with an OT for Positive Emotional Regulation
Working with an occupational therapist trained in emotional regulation techniques can be incredibly beneficial for children who struggle with emotional outbursts or impulsive reactions, especially as part of a broader OT program. A therapist can work closely with children to identify emotional triggers, develop coping strategies, and build a personalized plan for managing their emotions.
In OT sessions, children might engage in activities designed to help them process sensory input, practice emotional regulation strategies, and develop self-awareness. Therapists can also guide parents on how to support their children’s emotional regulation at home, providing tools and resources to reinforce what’s learned during therapy.
Helping Kids Be Their Calm and Happy Selves
Emotional regulation is a crucial skill for children to develop, and with the right support, it’s a skill that can be learned and strengthened over time. Emotional regulation therapy provides children with the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way, helping them stay calm and composed when life gets stressful.
As a parent or caregiver, your involvement in your child’s emotional regulation journey is key. Working with a qualified behavioral or occupational therapist can help children develop a strong foundation of emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. With patience, support, and consistent practice, emotional regulation becomes
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This post is for educational and informational purposes only. You should always speak with your therapist or physician before implementing this information on your own.
