Do You Wish You Knew How To Help Your Child?
Has your child been acting out lately? Are they struggling to make friends and falling behind in school? Does it feel like you’ve done everything in your power to help them, but nothing works?
Maybe they’re throwing tantrums or getting in trouble at school. Perhaps they interrupt their teachers and argue too much, causing conflict in the classroom and at home. Or maybe their issues are just the opposite—they’re unusually sad and withdrawn lately. A change has come over them and they no longer want to hang out with friends or go to school. As much as you want to figure out what’s wrong, they won’t tell you.
The Parenting Advice That Other People Give You May Not Work With Your Child
Deep down, you probably wish that your child could just be happy, sociable and well-adjusted. But no matter how hard you search for answers, you can’t seem to get any. The parenting books you’ve read don’t work. The advice that friends and family give you isn’t helpful. Each time you think your little one is making headway, the same problems come back with a vengeance.
If this is the case, we encourage you to connect with us. Here at Life Catalyst Therapy & Coaching, we want to help your child manage big emotions and learn to succeed socially and academically. In the meantime, we want to give you the tools to assist them in day-to-day life and help you deepen your relationship with them.
Many Parents Struggle To Figure Out If Their Child’s Behavior Is Normal Or Not
Virtually all children have trouble trying to control their emotions. Every child has tantrums and meltdowns from time to time and many children struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health issues. For parents, however, the number-one question is whether or not their kid’s behavior is normal. Many of them wonder: Is this behavior a typical part of child development, or is it something I should be concerned about?
For instance, many kids start to develop phobias around ages three-to-four. They may be afraid of bugs, dirtiness, heights, closed spaces, and other strange things. All of this is normal. But sometimes these phobias can become consuming and affect a kid’s desire to play, socialize, and do other fun activities. It’s one of the many reasons why it’s so important to see a child counselor.
The Pandemic Has Disrupted Social And Academic Learning For Many Kids
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many mental health issues to the forefront. Kids have it especially tough—they’ve had to deal with disruptions in both academic and social learning. They are born into a world of uncertainty and constant change. As a result, many of them struggle to manage their emotions and handle their stressors.
Now more than ever, child counseling is vital for helping kids deal with the ups-and-downs of life. It gives kids a head start, helping them build the emotional intelligence to prepare for adulthood.
Therapy Is A Chance For Your Child To Be Themselves, Have Fun, And Learn New Skills
As a parent, there have probably been many times when you sought advice from other parents, only to find that it didn’t help your child at all. This is not because your child is abnormal—it’s because every child is different. All too often, we assume that parenting is a one-size-fits-all journey, but it’s not. What works for other children may not work for yours. That’s normal and expected.
Therapy is a time to figure out what helps your child and what doesn’t. Together, we will come up with a customized treatment plan that fits their unique needs and personality. Along the way, your child is encouraged to be themselves and have fun. Depending on what they like to do, we can use art therapy or play therapy to help them express their feelings and feel comfortable in sessions.
What To Expect In Counseling
We usually start therapy with a parent-only session. This gives parents a chance to share information that they may not feel comfortable sharing in front of their child. That said, the treatment plan is different for each child. We incorporate parents into the therapy process and will check in with you at each session, although the majority of each session will be between your child and their counselor.
We believe in a team approach to therapy; therefore, other members of the family can attend counseling if it helps your child. You’re also welcome to have parenting sessions from time to time, either in person or via phone. After all, you know your child best. We want to know how your child is doing and give you strategies for helping them in day-to-day life.
The goal of parenting sessions in therapy is to help you better understand child development, find new ways to approach problems in the family, and enjoy a healthier relationship with your child. The most important aspect of a child’s life is their relationship with their parent or caregiver. That’s why helping you form a deeper bond with your child is at the center of our approach.
Tailoring Your Treatment Plan
Above all, we believe that therapy for kids should be fun. At Life Catalyst Therapy, your child does not have to sit still, hold their feelings back, and act like they would in school. They do enough of that already. We like to incorporate play therapy, art therapy, and other hands-on approaches into our work. Your child is welcome to paint, draw, play, or do whatever helps them express themselves.
What we work on depends on what their needs are. If they’re having trouble controlling their emotions, we can practice breathing and relaxation strategies for staying calm. If they’re struggling to communicate their feelings, we will help them learn to articulate their needs and advocate for themselves. And if they have trouble socially, we can even do some role-playing with them. Role-playing gives them a chance to find imaginative solutions to real-life social situations.
All children go through challenging times. Going to therapy early on can prevent more serious mental health issues and behavioral difficulties from developing. Most importantly, it can help you deepen your relationship with your child and learn to show them the love and care that they need.
You May Have Some Questions And Concerns About Child Therapy…
I’m worried that you’ll see me as a bad parent and blame me for my kid’s problems.
Parenting is hard. We are here to help you parent more effectively, not to tell you what you’re doing wrong. We believe that you’re doing the best you can. But no parent can find all the solutions by themselves, and that’s why child therapy is so valuable. What’s more, if you’re worried about being seen as a bad parent, that shows that you care. It shows that you’re trying to help your child and become a better parent. In our experience, parents who are concerned about their parenting are the ones who are doing the best job.
Will my child get a diagnosis?
If you’re worried about a diagnosis, you can choose to pay privately. This way, a diagnosis does not follow your child through the health insurance system. Although it’s normal to be concerned about labels, it’s important to remember that the stigma around many of them is waning. It is so, so common for kids to struggle with mental health issues—there is no shame in it. A label or diagnosis does not define your child and should not affect their ability to enjoy life.
What if it’s too soon to see a therapist and my child will just grow out of their behavior?
It’s never too early to get support for your child. Addressing small problems can prevent them from becoming bigger ones in the future. It will make parenting easier and make your child’s life easier, too. Even if you think that their struggles are just a “phase,” seeking help can equip them with skills and strategies that benefit every area of their life.
You Are Doing The Best You Can And You Deserve The Best Support Available
At Life Catalyst Therapy & Coaching, we know that parenting is not easy and that’s why we’re here to help. To learn to parent more effectively and give your child the care they need, you can call our office manager or book an appointment through our online scheduling portal.
