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Child therapy can play a strong role in a child’s healthy development. Sometimes children need additional support and consistency to develop effective emotional regulation; coping; problem-solving and/or interpersonal skills. Parents need not be embarrassed for seeking professional help. The act of asking for help is an important life lesson. At times, asking for help can be hard but it often leads to us getting what we need.
We help families and children (ages 5 and up) improve their emotional, behavioral and cognitive functioning. We engage the parents, additional caregivers, schools and adjunctive providers (e.g., occupational therapists; speech therapists; tutors) in a collaborative treatment framework. Children generally enjoy coming to therapy, as therapists engage the child in a mix of play, skills-building and problem-solving games and instruction. Short-term and long-term treatments are offered, based on the nature of the treatment issue.
You might ask yourself: does my child need to go to therapy? It may not be clear when to seek professional help. Many children benefit from therapy for common challenges: school stress; text anxiety; bullying; peer conflict/pressure; accepting/understanding their learning disability; and self-worth and confidence building. Others may need professional assistance in adjusting to a transition or managing new life circumstances, such as divorce, a move, or serious illness, or bouncing back after a trauma like physical/sexual abuse or loss.
Children often don’t show their stress in the same way adults do. Many times parents are left scratching their head trying to figure out what’s wrong. If you have a feeling that your child might have an emotional, developmental or behavioral problem, trust your gut, and seek a professional consultation.
There are many signs that a child may benefit from therapy. Some of these include: developmental delays; difficulty focusing/concentrating; sleep or appetite changes; a marked decline in grades; decreased interest in hobbies and previously enjoyed activities; seeking frequent reassurance/clinging; aggressive behaviors; spending more time alone; increased somatic complaints like headaches and stomachaches; signs of substance or alcohol use; episodes of tearfulness/sadness; mood swings; mocking/bullying other children or being the victim of bullying; cutting school; bedwetting; increased impulsivity and distractibility.