Therapy for Children
Therapy for Children
Therapy for Children – Everything You Need to Know
For parents, making the decision to schedule a therapy session for your child can be difficult. You want what’s best for them, but you may find yourself feeling unsure about whether your child would really benefit from therapy or if you’re overreacting. Maybe they just need more time to adjust and grow. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the many reasons a child may need to visit with a therapist as well as some of the benefits of children’s therapy.
Signs a Child Should Receive Therapy
There are many reasons to consider children’s therapy, including if a young person:
- Has been bullied
- Shows signs of disordered eating or body image issues
- Struggles with mood disorders like anxiety or depression
- Has low self-esteem
- Changes mood dramatically from one moment to the next
- Has difficulty developing and sustaining relationships
- Needs approval from others to feel safe or confident
- Behaves in unsafe or reckless ways
- Uses substances like alcohol or drugs
- Engages in promiscuous sex
- Has difficulty concentrating or remembering details
- Seems extremely angry and struggles to manage the effects of anger
- Is having a tough time after a loss
Risk Factors Contributing to a Child Needing Therapy
There are many factors that contribute to a child’s need for therapy support, including:
- Family history – if mood disorders and other psychological challenges have occurred for one or more family member, children may be more likely to develop similar conditions.
- Diagnoses – young people with diagnoses like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, and other conditions may benefit from therapy as part of their ongoing care plan.
- Gender – female children and adolescents are more likely to ask for or need support from a therapist compared with young men.
- Age – during early puberty as hormone levels fluctuate, young people are more likely to be overwhelmed by emotions, troubling thoughts, and difficult behavior.
- Parental difficulties – children whose parents are separated, divorced, or who have a difficult marriage may need therapy support to navigate these challenges.
- Loss of a loved one – losing a family member or friend, especially at a young age, may be very difficult to work through.
- Trauma – traumatic experiences like accidents, abuse, or neglect can all contribute to a need for therapy.
- Bullying – experiencing bullying in person or online can definitely leave young people in need of support.
- Moving frequently – children whose families move around often may have a tough time adjusting and find themselves in need of support.
Benefits of Therapy for Children
Just like adults, children can benefit from therapy when they’re going through a difficult time and need help developing the necessary skills to navigate the situation. Additionally, children’s therapy offers the following benefits for young people:
- Developing a greater sense of self-worth and self-esteem
- Learning skills to manage big emotions
- Increasing resilience for a greater sense of stability throughout life
- Improving social skills and ability to sustain lifelong relationships
- Creating a strong sense of self and autonomy
- Understanding the connections between behavior, thoughts, and emotions
When you’re ready to get started with therapy, the Lansing Counseling team is here to help parents and children. Simply give us a call (517) 333-1499, email [email protected], or take a few minutes to fill out our online scheduling request and general inquiry form. Once we hear from you, we’ll be in tough to answer your questions or schedule a therapy visit for your child.
Lansing Counseling
5030 Northwind Dr Suite 101
East Lansing, MI 48823