C.M.H.C. George Lynn is a psychotherapist in Bellevue, Washington. Children who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder come to counseling for a variety of reasons.
Younger kids come in because of episodic rage, obsessions, and oppositionality.
Teenagers tend to need help with self-esteem and motivation issues. They also may be involved in dangerous or destructive behavior. Some have school phobias or depression-related cognitive deficits. Therapy will have the best chance of being successful if the counselor is able to form a rapport to help these children integrate opposites within themselves. A therapist who is in rapport with a child will pace his verbal and nonverbal behavior to that of the child and will listen with interest and respect.