Child, Adolescent and Family Services
Child, adolescent and family services at Meta Belize provide supportive therapeutic approaches for children, teenagers, couples, and families experiencing emotional, behavioral, or relationship difficulties. Support is adapted to individual circumstances, developmental needs, and family goals.
Marriage and Relationship Support
Couples counselling does not necessarily mean that a relationship is coming to an end. It can provide a supportive environment for partners to explore concerns, improve communication, understand recurring conflicts, and work toward healthier ways of relating to one another.
We offer a safe and neutral space for you and your partner to explore your relationship. Areas of focus may include:
- Understanding underlying causes of relationship distress
- Developing tools to improve connection and communication
- Learning constructive conflict-resolution skills
- Finding ways to support each partner’s goals and needs
- Exploring past experiences that may be affecting the present relationship
- Learning healthier ways to manage emotional distress
Child Behavioral Issues
Children do not always have the words or skills to communicate difficult emotions. At times, emotional distress may instead appear through changes in behavior. Understanding what may be contributing to a child’s behavior is an important part of providing appropriate support.
We work with children and their families to strengthen positive behaviors, improve communication, develop coping skills, and address emotional or behavioral concerns. Support is tailored to the child’s age, experiences, and individual needs.
Family Violence Services
Family violence can include patterns of behavior used to control, intimidate, or harm another person. It may involve physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, social, or financial abuse. It can affect adults, children, adolescents, and other family members.
Support services may include:
- Individual support and counselling for people affected by family violence
- Support for children and young people affected by violence in the family
- Group-based support where appropriate and available
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency or crisis service. People in Belize seeking information about family violence support can also contact 0-800-PROTECT.
Family Therapy
Family therapy can help family members explore concerns affecting communication, relationships, and family functioning. Families are dynamic, and each person may have different experiences, needs, and roles within the family.
Therapeutic support may focus on conflict management, positive communication, difficult transitions, emotional concerns, or other challenges affecting family relationships. The techniques used depend on the specific circumstances and goals of the family.
Play Therapy
Play therapy uses developmentally appropriate activities such as toys, drawings, games, creative activities, and conversation to help children communicate and explore emotions. A therapist can observe themes that emerge during play while providing a supportive environment in which a child can develop emotional awareness and coping skills.
Learn more about play therapy at Meta Belize.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help young people develop greater awareness of difficult thoughts and emotions while identifying actions that reflect personally meaningful goals and values. When appropriate, ACT-based strategies may form part of an individualized therapeutic approach.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills related to mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal relationships. Some DBT approaches have been adapted for adolescents experiencing significant difficulties with emotional regulation or harmful behaviors.
Learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Adoption-Specific Therapy
Adoption can involve important emotional and developmental transitions for children and families. Some adopted children may benefit from therapeutic support that considers their individual history, relationships, attachment experiences, and current circumstances.
Support may incorporate trauma-informed, attachment-focused, coping, and positive parenting approaches according to the needs of the child and family. Learn more about adoption-specific therapy.
Finding Support for Your Family
The appropriate therapeutic approach depends on the needs and circumstances of each child, adolescent, couple, or family. For general information about children’s mental health, parents and caregivers can also visit the National Institute of Mental Health.
You can explore our other therapy services or learn about child and adolescent traumatic stress support. To ask about services or appointments, contact Meta Belize.