Counseling for Children

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else. You are familiar with their normal moods, daily rhythms, likes and dislikes, and with whom they like to spend time. This makes you the most likely person to notice changes in these moods, rhythms, and interests. So, what should you do when you note abnormal behavior, a sudden disinterest in previously enjoyable activities, or concerning changes in your child’s temperament?

If your child or teen is struggling, seeking the support of a qualified child counselor can help. If you are concerned about your child’s mental, emotional, or behavioral health, counseling for children can provide an opportunity for your child to talk about and work through issues you feel ill-equipped to address on your own. Child counselors are trained to help children feel heard and understood and to teach them the skills they need to handle the ups and downs of life.

When you need help supporting your child, or you feel like you just can’t get your child to open up to you about what’s bothering them, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician and another with a local Carrollton Christian counselor. You don’t have to be in this alone. Help is available for you, your child, and your whole family.

While most childhood concerns can be handled at home with supportive, compassionate parenting, there are times when your child may need more support than you can provide. Every child is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all set of criteria that can determine if your child needs therapeutic intervention. There are, however, some common signs parents can look for if they fear their children are struggling.

Behavioral Concerns

When children consistently exhibit behavior, attention, or defiance problems in more than one setting, it can signify that something more than a strong-willed or disinterested temperament is at play. Behavioral concerns at home, school, daycare, social settings, or extracurricular activities could indicate any number of childhood health concerns. These may include issues with physical, mental, or neurodevelopmental health.

Pervasive Worry or Sadness

Every child has moments of worry or sadness. Just like adults, children commonly experience periods of low mood in response to life difficulties, stress, or during times of transitions. However, if these low moods or periods of excessive worry last for more than two weeks or don’t seem to have any apparent cause, your child may require additional support.

Changes in Interests or Habits

A sudden shift in your child’s sleeping or eating habits can indicate that he or she is struggling mentally or emotionally. Additionally, parents should pay close attention if their children suddenly become disinterested in activities they previously enjoyed. These shifts in a child’s daily rhythms and interests may be normal and age-appropriate. However, if they are sudden or are accompanied by other changes in your child’s behavior, they should be carefully monitored.

Social Withdrawal

It is not uncommon for some children and teens to be more socially reserved than others. However, most children do not choose to routinely play or eat alone when they could instead be interacting with their peers. If your child or teen begins to avoid play dates and social interactions, or if they become increasingly unwilling to leave home, it could indicate that your child needs extra support.

Developmental Regressions

A tell-tale indication of emotional distress in young children, developmental regressions are common during times of signification transition such as moving to a new home, a change in family structure, the arrival of a new sibling, or when beginning a new school. A regression is when your child starts:

• bed-wetting
• using “baby talk”
• having frequent tantrums
• experiencing separation anxiety
• or displaying excessive fearfulness or nervousness.

These or any other setbacks in developmentally appropriate behavior can result from new stressors in a young child’s life. Typically, these issues have a clear cause and resolve without intervention. However, your child may benefit from counseling if the cause of the regression is unclear or if the problem persists.

Concerns about Self-Harm

The most urgent sign your child needs help, self-harming behaviors or expressions of suicidal ideation require immediate intervention. In young children, self-harm can look like hitting themselves, banging their heads against objects, or scratching themselves persistently enough to leave marks. In older children and teens, self-harm may present as cutting, burning, or picking at skin or hair. If you see any of these behaviors in your child, seek help right away.

Since every child has a unique temperament, personality, and interests, it’s essential to consider what these or other signs of mental or emotional distress may look like for your child. The best way to catch problems early is to communicate openly and frequently with your children about all areas of their lives and health. Additionally, it’s helpful to keep in touch with your child’s other caretakers, teachers, or coaches about your child’s mood and behavior.

Counseling for children with Carrollton Christian Counseling can be used to address many different concerns, including the following:

Processing Grief or Trauma

It can be beneficial for a child to see a qualified counselor after the death of a loved one, the loss of a significant relationship, or after they have experienced either sudden or long-term trauma. While working with a counselor, your child will learn to express their emotions in healthy ways and find strategies to move forward from his or her current pain.

Supporting Mental or Emotional Health

If your child is struggling with depression, anxiety, a mood disorder, or another emotional difficulty, counseling can provide invaluable support towards the goals of mental health management and better quality of life. A qualified counselor will be able to work with you and your child to develop a treatment plan that addresses your concerns and moves your child towards recovery.

Behavioral Guidance

Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, OCD, and sensory processing disorders can often cause difficulties with behavioral regulation. Additionally, conduct and certain mood disorders can make following the rules and thriving in structured environments tricky for children. Counselors trained in child behavioral therapy techniques can help children with these disorders learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors in more productive ways.

Developing Healthy Relational Skills

Counseling is an excellent place for your child to learn critical relational skills like conflict management, effective communication strategies, recognizing and advocating for one’s own emotional needs, and developing greater empathy for others. If your child struggles with forming or maintaining friendships or is in constant conflict with other family members at home, they may need additional support to grow in these areas.

Help Adjusting to Major Transitions or Life Events

As difficult as it can be for adults to cope with significant changes in situation or circumstances, it’s even harder for children, as they often have little to no say in where they live, their family situations, where they go to school, and so on. When children experience a major life transition or shift in family structure, speaking with a counselor may enable them to process their emotions in healthy ways. Counseling may also help them solve any problems related to their new circumstances.

Counseling for Young Children

Counseling sessions for young children typically include the counselor, the child, and the parent. While the parent may sometimes participate in the therapy, their primary role is to offer support and familiarity so the child can be as comfortable as possible. The counselor may ask your child to draw, participate in play activities, tell stories, or answer questions to help him or her open up about difficult topics in whatever way is most comfortable.

Counseling for Older Children & Teens

Counseling sessions for older children and teens are often one-on-one meetings with the child and counselor. Counselors for these age groups may still use some activity-based therapeutic strategies. However, they will likely spend most sessions simply speaking with your child, building trust, encouraging honest conversation, and teaching strategies. A qualified child counselor will find ways to connect with even the most hesitant, reserved, and disinterested children and teens.

Even when you are not in sessions with your child and the counselor, it is essential that you as the parent check in regularly to receive updates on your child’s progress. In addition to asking for these progress reports, be sure you speak with your child’s counselor about how you can support your child’s continued growth at home. Being on the same page with the rest of your child’s care team can help both you and your child get the support you need to succeed.