Why Child Therapy?
Kids and teenagers have problems just like adults. While many are small, some are not — these issues can impact how they act, feel or learn. Child therapy is an evidence-based treatment that helps children talk about and learn how to work through their problems.
Child therapy may be what your little one or teenager needs to improve their outlook and receive hope for a better life. In this blog, we’ll explore why kids need therapy and how child therapists work with children and families to bring about positive, lasting change.
Why Would a Child Need Therapy?
Children and teens need therapy when they cannot cope with a problem alone. Counseling helps them face their feelings and understand their thoughts. As they work out their concerns, they develop new skills and start feeling better.
Child therapists are trained to partner with kids and families and can help children going through tough times, such as:
- Divorce and other family problems.
- Bullying.
- Health concerns.
- School problems.
Therapists help children dealing with intense emotions like:
- Stress and worry.
- Sadness.
- Anger.
- Grief.
- Low self-esteem.
They can also help kids diagnosed with conditions like:
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Trauma-related disorders.
- ADHD.
- Disruptive behavior disorders.
When Should My Child See a Therapist?
What initially seems like a typical childhood problem can transform into something more serious. You know your child better than anyone. If something seems off, trust your instincts. It’s better to seek help if you’re not sure.
Here are some behaviors or concerns that could indicate the need for child therapy:
- Issues in multiple areas of life, like home, friendships, academics or even leisure time
- Self-destructive behaviors like skin-picking or hair-pulling
- Loss of confidence or feeling bad about themselves
- Withdrawal or isolation from friends, family or activities they enjoyed
- Changes in sleep or eating
- Excessive worry
- Comments about running away or wishing they weren’t here
- Hopelessness
Therapy could be the turning point in your child’s life. Younger children are quicker to learn and adapt, so if you suspect a problem, you should see a therapist sooner rather than later.
What Does a Child Therapist Do?
Child therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Children learn by doing, and therapy is no different. While sessions differ depending on your child’s age, therapists use various techniques to help kids develop skills they need to problem-solve, create healthier thinking patterns and cope.
Therapy sessions for younger children could include activities like playing, drawing or chatting. Older kids and teens learn through sharing activities and discussing ideas to work through problems.
At Courageous Kids Counseling, experimentation is at the heart of our child therapy. We strive to learn what works best for each child. Early sessions focus on how your child can feel better in a short period. However, we also work to help kids face new or challenging situations so they won’t feel stuck in the future. The goal is to help children feel happier, form stronger relationships with family and friends and become problem-solvers.
Learn More About Child Therapy at Courageous Kids Counseling
No problem is too small. What may seem like a minor concern to you could feel like an overwhelming obstacle to your child. Child therapy can help. Learn how the licensed therapists at Courageous Kids Counseling can help change your child’s mental outlook by contacting us today.
