Therapy is something that is not only essential for troubled adults but also for children. Children also experience mental issues such as depression, anxiety and many more that can affect their behaviour, way of thinking and more. And if left untreated this can greatly affect their lives later on.
So as a parent, if you start to notice your child constantly getting mood swings, having behavioural issues, difficulties socializing, learning difficulties and so on, maybe it is time to see a therapist.
But of course, to get you comfortably settled into the idea of getting your child into therapy, we think you should know more about it! So without further ado, below is a rundown of everything you need to know about child therapy:
What is therapy?
Before signing up your kid for a session, you first need to understand what therapy really is. Basically, therapy comes in a variety of sessions depending on the issue your child is facing. The initial session is more like an interview where the professional gets to know the child first by asking a set of questions.
Each of these questions aims to know more about the child from their interests, dislikes and also issues. After the initial session, the therapist will have a good idea of what strategy to use to help your child– which will be applied in the next sessions.
Common problems therapists seem to find are children with issues like family problems, school problems, anxiety, bullying and even stress. Often times children with these issues will express common emotions such as sadness, anger, low self-esteem, grief and frustration.
Also, common conditions found in troubled children and teens are depression, OCD, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders, self-harm and disruptive behaviour disorders.
Why do children need therapy?
When faced with difficulties that are beyond their capacity for self-sufficiency, children and teens frequently need therapeutic help. It is important to seek professional assistance when dealing with mental issues, behavioural concerns, or challenges in social relationships. When these issues start to interfere with their functioning and negatively affect their academic achievement, mental stability, or interpersonal connections, therapy becomes essential.
Therapy provides a safe, controlled setting where kids and teenagers may explore their ideas, feelings, and behaviours when they are unable to deal with these issues on their own. Therapists with specific expertise in child psychology can assist kids and teens in strengthening their resilience, increasing self-awareness, and creating coping mechanisms.
What happens in therapy?
Everything done in therapy has been strategized and planned out by the therapist. Although a LOT of talking and listening is involved, other things are about being done with child therapy such as (1) talking, (2) doing activities, (3) practising new skills, and (4) solving issues and problems. To give you a better idea of how each one goes here is a rundown:
- Talking - Therapists encourage talking during sessions. This is a healthy and organic way to express feelings & thoughts. This is a great start for kids to put their feelings and issues into words, with that the therapist can get a better insight into what the issues are and how to solve them.
- Doing activities - Next, therapists are going to come up with activities that will help the child with their issues and with that help them gain good coping skills, Activities can be drawing, breathing exercises, fun games and so on.
- Practising new skills - Kids receive practice in what they learn from therapists. They may assign children to play activities that require them to wait their time, exercise self-control, be patient, pay attention, share, give it another go, or deal with failure.
- Problem-solving - Therapists enquire about the impact of issues on older children and teenagers both at home and at school. They discuss potential solutions to these issues.
How long does therapy take?
Depending on the severity of the child’s condition, it may vary. But usually, the child psychologist will set appointments to a week once or twice a week for a couple of months. But this may change if progress is bad or good.
If the therapist notices good progress, your session could be cut shorter and then followed up with occasional checkups. But if conditions are stagnant or getting worse, sessions can take longer.
What can parents do during these tough times?
When your child starts going to therapy, you can start:
- Taking your child to their appointments and being there from the start to the end of their sessions.
- Meet and talk with your child’s therapist.
- After sessions, spend time with your child and bond. For example, you could get ice cream after every session or go out to eat.
- Spend time with your child, not only during session days. You can do hobbies and activities together like cooking, playing, reading, watching shows and more.
- Be patient with your child. Some sessions can be overwhelming for kids and can cause them to have mood swings, a bad attitude and so on, so just be understanding and have patience with them.
Take away
Knowing what you know now, we hope you’d be more open to the idea of therapy for your kids, especially if they show signs of common troubled issues and behaviour. And in a nutshell, therapy offers a cooperative and encouraging setting where people may learn, grow, and heal.
By use of a blend of investigation, understanding, development of skills, and assistance, therapy enables individuals to surmount obstacles, improve their overall health, and have more satisfying lives.
