Child Therapy
Have You Noticed Changes In Your Child’s Behavior Lately?
Do they have trouble controlling their emotions?
Are they avoiding homework and falling behind in school?
Have they been unusually withdrawn and spending all their time in their room?
Maybe their moods are all over the place and they go from zero to 100 at the drop of a hat. Perhaps they’re having frequent tantrums and every little thing gets under their skin. They might be isolating more and refusing to hang out with friends and family—they’d rather spend their days playing video games or scrolling on their phones. For the first time, you might find yourself considering a child counselor.
Your Child’s Mental Health Struggles Could Be Affecting Your Own Mental Health
Maybe you lose sleep worrying about your child and wondering if they’ll be okay. You might sacrifice your own needs for their sake and end up burnt out and exhausted. Over time, your child’s struggles could lead to parenting disagreements between you and your spouse, putting a strain on your marriage.
Here at Lift Wellness Group, we know what it’s like to lose sleep worrying about your child. Many of us are parents ourselves, so we understand how challenging it is when your child needs more support than you can provide. Through our compassionate approach to therapy, we’re confident that we can help your child overcome their mental health challenges and experience peace of mind.
Children’s Mental Health Is At A Low Point In Our Society
The stats are sobering—roughly one in five kids has a mental health disorder, but only 20 percent get the care they need.* It’s normal for children to wrestle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and many other conditions. Yet all too often, their problems are not taken seriously. Teachers, coaches, and other adult figures in their life might think they’re just “misbehaving,” when in fact their behavior is the sign of a much deeper struggle.
After all, most kids have trouble articulating their feelings. This inevitably leads to misunderstanding from adults. When a child has ADHD, they’re often dismissed as wild or inattentive. And when a child suffers from depression, they’re often seen as lazy or antisocial. As a result, many kids don’t get the support and validation they need.
On Your Own, It isn’t Always Possible To Solve Your Child’s Issues
No matter how hard you try to help them, sometimes you still need extra support. This is not a sign of bad parenting—it’s simply a sign that you need someone with an unbiased outlook on your child’s situation. No one can do it all alone.
Unfortunately, too many parents think their child’s struggles are a reflection of bad parenting. They think sending their child to therapy is an admission of failure. Nothing could be further from the truth. Getting therapeutic support for your child shows that you want the best future possible for them and will do whatever it takes to help them get there.
Therapy Is A Chance For Your Child To Have Fun, Learn New Skills, And Deepen Their Connection With You
The thought of having your child in therapy could be anxiety-provoking. You might worry that they won’t talk, won’t listen, or won’t sit still. The good news is that we make therapy for kids fun. By utilizing play therapy, art therapy, and other hands-on approaches, we give children a chance to be themselves and do what they love while they work through their issues.
We use a lot of open-ended questions, positive affirmations, and reflective listening in our work with children. We give them solution-focused skills for managing their emotions, communicating their needs, and staying on track in school. Along the way, we like to make sure parents play a crucial role in their journey toward healing and wellness.
What To Expect In Child Counseling Sessions
The therapeutic process is customized for each client and adjustable depending on your child’s age. Generally speaking, we’ll meet with you alone for the intake session before meeting with your child. This gives us a chance to talk about your child’s struggles openly and come up with goals for therapy.
Although you won’t be required to attend every session, your child’s therapist will work to keep you in the loop to ensure that you can support your child outside of counseling. Your participation will allow you to gain valuable insight into how your child thinks. You’ll learn ways to adjust your parenting style that improve communication and foster trust between the two of you.
In addition to counseling, our practice offers psychiatric services and has multiple prescribers on staff. So if you’re interested in pursuing medication for your child, we would be more than happy to accommodate you.
Tailoring Your Child’s Treatment Plan
Since we like to make counseling engaging for children, play therapy and art therapy form the backbone of our approach. Kids here are welcome to express themselves through painting, drawing, playing, and other activities that spur their imagination and help them problem-solve.
Ultimately, the approach we take depends on the age and the needs of your child. Many of our therapists use a kid-friendly version of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help children reduce overthinking, regulate their mood, and increase mindfulness. We also have therapists who are EMDR-certified. When deemed appropriate by the clinician, EMDR can help children process and resolve trauma.
Taking the first step and seeking professional help for your child may be difficult, but it’s the best thing you can do for them. As long as you’re willing to put in the work, mountains can move. Your child can move forward with understanding, self-compassion, and the coping skills to thrive for years to come.
You May Have Some Questions And Concerns About Child Therapy…
I don’t know if we have time for therapy.
We get it—you have a lot on your plate. Nonetheless, just as you would make time for the doctor if your child had a physical health concern, it’s important to make time for mental health concerns, too. We can work with your schedule and accommodate you in every way possible. Our practice offers online sessions, in-person sessions, and a mix of both if you desire.
My child can’t sit in a chair for long periods of time.
They don’t have to! Play therapy allows them to be active while they’re in sessions. What’s more, we can get creative and think outside the box if we need to—there is a playground right near our practice and kids are welcome to do sessions outside if they have trouble focusing indoors.
I don’t want other people knowing my child is in therapy.
The stigma around mental health care is very real, but it is thankfully waning. More and more kids are going to therapy, especially in the wake of a global pandemic that affected the mental health of children everywhere. That said, no one else has to know your child is in therapy if you don’t want them to. Our sessions are 100-percent confidential and we’ll never disclose your child’s information to anyone without your approval.
Compassionate Support For Your Child Can Make All The Difference
It can help them increase their emotional intelligence and set them up for future success. To find out more about child therapy, use the contact form or call our intake number at 203-908-5603.
Have any questions?
Send us a message!
Contact Information
Phone: (203) 908-5603
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