How to Know if Your Child Needs Therapy
Do you notice your child getting easily frustrated?
Do they shut down or seem like they’ll never leave your side?
Do they engage in power struggles and defiance?
Children aren’t able to articulate feelings in a way an adult would. So, they will show you with their behaviors instead. Many factors can contribute to these situations and behaviors — and often, these behaviors are signs that your child could benefit from counseling support. If you notice any of the following signs in your child, reach out to a qualified child counselor today.
Child Therapy can help kids reduce Anxiety
Children with anxiety are often clingy and worry excessively. They get nervous about not finishing homework or the possibility of a negative consequence that feels like impending doom. Anxious children also struggle with sleep, nightmares, and irregular eating habits. Fortunately, children can learn to manage anxiety! Play Therapy can help children use mindfulness and breathing techniques that allow their bodies to calm down. They can play out their fears and gain mastery over their emotions. Children can share their fears through art, play, and other expressive counseling techniques — and become secure, happy, and anxiety-free!
Child Therapy can help kids overcome Depression
You may think the signs of depression in children would be overt sadness or frequent crying. But children often express feelings of depression with other behaviors. Sad or depressed children display higher levels of frustration and anger. In an attempt to regain control of their situation, they use defiance or aggression to mask their feelings. In Play Therapy, children can practice mastery over their emotions and rehearse what happiness, excitement, and being at peace can feel like.
Child Therapy can help kids process Parental Divorce
During a divorce, children are often hesitant to express their thoughts and feelings in an effort not to hurt either parent’s feelings. Guilt is also a natural feeling for children of divorced parents. The separation exposes them to realities that are different from the safe and predictable environment they may be used to. As a result, those mixed-up feelings can lead to behavioral issues. Play Therapy can help children process their thoughts in a safe environment. Along the way, LaunchPad’s child counselors work closely with parents to provide clear and practical feedback on how to help their child cope at home.
Child Therapy can help kids learn strategies for ADHD
Children with ADHD struggle with poor decision-making, difficulties managing their emotions, anger outbursts, and much more. Completing tasks that require focus and attention are a constant struggle — and children are often on the go, making sitting down and relaxing nearly impossible. Being a child with ADHD is not easy. But fortunately, counseling can help! Play Therapy uses dynamic activities that teach children to stop and think before acting, develop focusing abilities, follow directions, and manage their emotions.
Child Therapy can help kids reduce Behavioral Problems
When children have difficulty regulating their emotions, they often act out by becoming angry or defiant, ignoring instructions, and refusing to follow directions. Long-term behavior problems in children can also make staying calm and level-headed difficult for parents. Play Therapy can help children with behavior problems learn how to manage their emotions. Dynamic activities help them develop better frustration tolerance, while a combination of counseling and parent coaching can help the entire family regain control — and be peaceful once again.
Child Therapy can help kids with Attachment Issues
Attachment can affect children in very different ways. Some children detach emotionally from their parents and guardians, don’t seek proximity with them or appear too independent. On the other hand, separation anxiety and extreme clinginess also point to attachment difficulties. Certain Play Therapy activities are especially designed to provide children with experiences that facilitate healthy attachment. Our LaunchPad counselors can lead you and your child in fun family therapy activities that foster close relationships. In fact, most parents are blown away by the interactions that Play Therapy facilitates.
Could you child benefit from Child Counseling? Our Child Therapists at LaunchPad Counseling in Richmond VA use engaging Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy approaches to build positive relationships with their young clients. Children enjoy coming to therapy! And, parents’ lives are easier with the support a child therapist provides.
