Child Therapy

 Is your child having a difficult time? Is your child acting out more at home and at school? Have you noticed a change in your child’s mood? Is your child more reactive and emotional? Have you noticed a change in your child’s performance at school? Is your child having trouble enjoying things or refusing to do things? If so, your child may benefit from therapy.

Children can struggle with similar issues as adults. However, therapy with children can look very different. Children often lack the emotional vocabulary to discuss what they are feeling and they do not express themselves as well as adults. Therefore, their treatment needs to be tailored accordingly. 

What are the common mental health issues that children struggle with? 

·      Anxiety

·      Depression

·      Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

·      Behavior Disorders such as Conduct Disorder (CD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

·      Autism Spectrum Disorders

·      Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

·      Eating Disorders

What are the symptoms of mental health issues in children? 

There are many symptoms of mental health issues in children, including: 

·      Persistent sadness that last two or more weeks

·      Unable to find pleasure in previously pleasurable activities

·      Withdrawing from or avoiding social situations and interactions

·      Hurting themselves or talking about hurting themselves

·      Talking about suicide

·      Talking about death without an appropriate reason or trigger, such as the death of a family member

·      Behavior that is out of control, especially behavior that can be harmful

·      Changes in eating habits or weight

·      Difficulty sleeping or persistent nightmares or night terrors

·      Frequent physical pain or discomfort without a clear physical cause, including frequent headaches or stomachaches

·      Difficulty concentrating

·      Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

·      Excessive worry or anxiety

·      Changes in academic performance

·      Avoiding or missing school

·      Defying authority, stealing, or damaging property

·      Hyperactivity

·      Frequent temper tantrums 

How to know if your child may need therapy? 

It can be very difficult to know what to do when your child is struggling. Determining if your child needs professional help can be both stressful and confusing. It is always advisable to consult with a psychologist if you are concerned about your child, and it is better to deal with matters early on instead of waiting. But do not worry, treatment can still be effective even if these problems have persisted for a while.

Things to look for in children to determine if therapy could be beneficial are changes in their mood and attitude, as many of the childhood disorders can look different in children than they do in adults. For example, adults who struggle with depression will likely present with depressed mood as their main complaint. Depression in children, however, can present with anger and behavior problems. This can make it difficult for parents to know what their child is struggling with, especially since many kids are unable to verbally express how they are feeling. This is where a psychologist can help. Child psychologists are trained to determine what children are struggling with, using various methods to help children communicate their feelings.

One important aspect to consider when thinking about bringing your child to therapy is whether your child in a state of distress. If the challenges are upsetting to both them and you as a parent, then it is important to meet with a child psychologist. This factor can be more important than the severity of the problem.   

Child Therapy 

In child therapy, we work with the child and their family. We typically meet with both the child and the parents during the first appointment to create a unique and personalized treatment plan. We utilize a number of different treatment methods to help create the best plan for the child and use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, art therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Typically, parents are involved in the beginning and end of each appointment, but that varies based on the child’s age as well as the current concerns. We will also provide parenting skills when necessary and work to make the home life better for everyone! Parents will be included in all skills that the child learns and will work with their child to help incorporate new skills into the family’s everyday life. 

Call to schedule an appointment for child therapy today! 

If you would like to explore therapy for your child, we offer a free phone consultation to see if we are a good fit and to answer any questions you may have. Please give us a call at (818) 495-5705 or click here to contact us.