It can be really difficult to decide if your son or daughter needs child therapy. As parents we feel our child is just fine and often we justify bad behaviors by saying, “it’s just a phase”. However, that’s not always the case.
Every child is different and each situation is complex, however there are still times when a child needs a little extra guidance, redirection, or processing. Child Therapy has such a dramatic positive effect that it can be beneficial in so many situations.
Why would my child need therapy?
Is your child struggling in school? Do they have problems with peers or boundaries? Have you noticed trauma in your child’s life? Trauma doesn’t always have to be abuse or divorce. Dramatic events or negative experiences can still have traumatic effects on your child’s brain.
Sometimes I have seen children because their parents just feel like something is ‘off’ or ‘different’.
Other times I experience more dramatic reasons. Have they been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, depression, or anxiety? Are they self-harming or presenting with suicidal thoughts?
If the answer to these questions was yes, then your child may be in need of child therapy.
What are the benefits of Child Therapy?
There are multiple reasons why a child would need to see a therapist, but the benefits of going are even more.
- processing difficult emotions
- feeling safe
- self-efficacy
- learning to build connections with people
- building healthy boundaries
- improved communication skills
- increased confidence
- enhanced ability to problem solve
- better understanding for the world around them
- moving forward from traumatic events
- a stronger relationship between parent and child
- feeling happy
What type of therapy will my child have?
Seeing that each child’s needs are different, treatment is unique as well. I specialize in Play Therapy, specifically Sand Tray Therapy. Your child might also benefit from different client-based therapy such as music or art therapy and I will assess that upon our first visit.
My goal is to gain trust with your child, help him or her feel safe; then help the child process the world around them. That sometimes means specific events in their past, or difficult emotions they might be experiencing. From there we come up with a plan for treatment, a solution to heal and thrive.
Moving forward we will learn about how the brain works (and how that plays into their individual situation), we practice controlling emotions and their body, we learn about self-understanding, empathy and practice different ways to share feelings and thoughts. Our goal isn’t perfection, but we are striving for the child to process their past, learn important skills so they can thrive moving forward.
Keep in mind that my preference and professional opinion is that parents attend each child therapy session.
Why choose ABC Family Counseling for your child?
ABC Family Counseling focuses on children. With years of experience, training and certifications we feel confident we will be able to help your child with any difficult emotions or struggles they might be facing. We are a family focused company that values educating about child development (neurologically, emotionally and mentally). Our goal is to help your child not only survive their life but also thrive!
