Your child may be experiencing behaviors that are difficult to understand, or emotions that are bigger than the situation, or experiencing learning problems. They may have asked you for them to talk to a counselor about what they are feeling. Maybe your child’s school counselor or pediatrician has suggested therapy to help address concerns about how the child is feeling or behaving, or to help your family solve a problem. Either way, you and your child likely have questions about counseling.
From our experience as counselors, it is important to be supportive, honest and reassuring. Children may have fears about the process, and if it will hurt, or if something is wrong with them. Your child’s counselor will help your child understand:
- Therapy is a process to help solve your problems and feel better.
- We are not medical doctors, so we will not give you a shot or make you take medicine!
- Our counselors and therapists believe that behaviors tell a story, and do not define the child.
- Counseling is a confidential experience, and you can tell your counselor anything, and you will not be judged or in trouble.
- Our therapists play with children, so if you do not know what to say, we can just play!
Many families are not sure when to seek counseling for their child; we believe that knowing what your child needs, and finding the right counselor is beneficial for the process, as well as the progress. When they experience disruptive behaviors, big emotions and learning problems, you may need professional guidance and support, and definitely need to know who can help you. We have experienced and premiere counselors to help you and your child on the journey to discovering how to handle the big challenges that children experience.
We partner with families to help children learn new skills and manage their big feelings related to the following issues:
- Behavior problems (such as anger, aggression, acting out, opposition at home or school)
- Peer or sibling problems, relationship difficulties
- Learning, attention or social skill problems
- Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including sexual, physical or emotional abuse
- Developmental delays
- Grief or Loss
- Episodes of sadness, tearfulness or irritability
- Difficulties in regulating mood
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Fearful behavior that results in avoidance or gets in the way of healthy development
- Problems adjusting to transitions (following separation, divorce, move)
- Obsessions or compulsions
- Experiencing bullying, or bullying other children
- Excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
- Text Anxiety
- Development of or an increase in physical complaints (such as headaches, stomach aches or “not feeling good”) despite a normal physical exam by your doctor
- Management of a serious, acute or chronic illness
- Signs of destructive behavior, such as head-banging, cutting or risk taking
- Thoughts of death, suicide, or losing a peer or loved one to suicide
Please reach out to us to answer any questions regarding how your child may benefit from counseling or play therapy, or to see if one of our counselors would be a great fit for your child. We look forward to helping you!
