Signs your Child or Teen Could Benefit from Therapy
Children often don’t talk about what’s bothering them. They may not talk about it because they may not even know how they feel, have the communication skills necessary to verbalize their feelings or they may not know how to talk about it or how to bring it up. Parents and caregivers may see behavioral signs in their child and not know what to do or who to speak to about it. We always encourage parents and caregivers to speak with your child’s pediatrician about concerning behaviors and symptoms your child is experiencing and exhibiting.
Here are some signs that your child could benefit from therapy:
Mood swings
Acting out
Withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy
Difficulty sleeping, having nightmares
Loss of appetite
Complaining about physical pain such has headaches and/or stomachaches
Decline in academic performance
School refusal
Difficulty making or keeping friends
Not wanting to participate in group activities
Experiencing a traumatic event
Self harm behaviors and/or expressing suicidal thoughts
If you suspect your child or teenager may need counseling, it's important to speak with them and let them know that you're there to support them. It's also important to consult with a professional who can provide an assessment and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Something I often see in my practice in teenagers and young adults is that they can identify a time when they reached out to a caregiver for support, but were unfortunately dismissed. Sometimes they were told that their moods and behavior was a “normal” part of development, that they were “just stressed” or “sensitive” or perhaps that they needed to work harder in some way. Parents and caregivers are also managing their own mental health, work, family and many different adult obligations that sometimes they may not always hear exactly what it is their child or teen is trying to communicate to them. These are difficult conversations for both the child and the caregiver, but ultimately enhances the relationship and bond when both feel heard, understood and supported. With the right support, children and teens can learn to cope with difficult emotions and experiences and develop the skills they need to lead happy and healthy lives.
