Therapy for Children: Finding Help When Your Child Needs It

Of the many gifts that God has given the world, one of the greatest tokens of His grace has been the gift of children. The laughter of a child can brighten any room; they delight us, and we delight in bringing joy into their lives. We all want what is best for the children in our care, and no one wants to see their child in distress.

Sometimes, however, we may find ourselves and our children in situations that are beyond our ability to understand or help. Try as we might, and with the best of intentions, it isn’t always possible for us to bringing healing and resolution to a situation.

There is a deep value in recognizing the place of trained professionals who understand the dynamics that may be involved in our child’s situation. As people who understand relational dynamics, human development and any number of issues that can affect a child, seeking therapy for children may be the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.

Many parents and caregivers struggle to seek therapy for children, fearing that they may be judged, or judging themselves and feeling inadequate as the person responsible for the child. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The complexities of our human existence mean that at some point we all reach our limit, and it’s the courageous and good thing to do for us to ask someone who is trained and skilled for their wisdom to address a given situation that is beyond our skill and ability. What are some of the issues that therapists help people with, and might your child benefit from it?

Concerns Addressed in Therapy for Children

Most parents and caregivers will do whatever it takes to protect their children and help them flourish and have a happy life, but unfortunately, adults are not the only ones that face challenges in life. Children, too, are prone to feelings such as anxiety, fear, isolation, or deep sadness. Some of these issues are complex, and they require a deft hand to deal with effectively.

Therapy for children can address the following and other issues that affect kids:

Separation anxiety disorder. This can affect children at an early age, causing them to struggle with being apart from their parents or caregiver

Trauma. This may have resulted from being involved in a car accident or witnessing violence or being subjected to sexual and other forms of abuse

Grief. This may be from the loss of a loved one such as a parent, relative, or family pet, or from moving away from their home, school, and friends

Abandonment and neglect issues. These may arise when a child isn’t given the emotional and physical care that they need to flourish

Bullying, which typically happens in a school context, but also occurs elsewhere

Anxiety, which affects children too. A therapist can help find the source of it, and how best to help the child

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A therapist can evaluate your child to see whether they have ADHD and help them to manage inattentive or hyperactive behaviors that can affect learning or other activities

Blended family issues. A blended family is when the two parents have children of their own from previous relationships, and they bring them together into a single-family unit. Blended family dynamics may take time to adjust and get used to for children

Depression. About 2% of children twelve and below go through depression, though many stay undiagnosed and do not receive the help they need

Discipline problems. This involves a child acting out and negatively affecting the mental health of the whole family. A therapist can address the dynamics at play between the individual and within the family unit as a whole

Family problems, which may include divorce and dealing with the new normal of living between two households

Academic concerns. These can occur when a child begins attending school and must adapt to a new environment. Some challenges may also arise, such as struggles with school due to learning disabilities that may be at the root of it. A therapist will diagnose your child to learn if there any learning disabilities, and develop a plan that will give them the tools they need to flourish in an academic environment

Foster care and adoption concerns, for kids who have been through the foster care system or have been recently adopted. There may be some complicated emotions and questions to work through for them in their new family setup.

Therapists address these and many other issues that children face. They are trained to understand the dynamics at play in a wide variety of circumstances and the treatment options that will be effective to help your child deal with their circumstances and get equipped to flourish in life.

Types of Therapy for Children Available

With the help of a professional counselor, your child will get the space, support, and tools they need to talk through their feelings, navigate these changes and develop coping skills and strategies to work through their concerns, anxieties, and fears.

If you and your family are people of faith, you can opt for Christian therapy for children so that your treatment plan lines up with your worldview. A Christian therapist will provide quality care for your child while making use of spiritual resources like Scripture and prayer, along with other, evidence-based techniques such as:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps a child to reshape the way they think to develop helpful, healthy, and appropriate ways to think about themselves and the situation they are facing.

Play therapy, which is a therapeutic use of play to get kids to talk about and work through their feelings and experiences.

Talk therapy, which is one of the main treatment options for issues such as separation anxiety disorder. It creates and provides a safe space for your child to express their feelings and be listened to with empathy.

Finding What Works for You and Your Child

It may be that your child requires medication in addition to the therapies mentioned already. Some situations, such as severe Separation Anxiety Disorder or depression, may call for medication to be administered along with other forms of therapy. In consultation with you, your therapist will draw up a treatment plan that works for your child and your family to meet your needs and goals.

You can look for trained therapists in a variety of places, including hospitals and medical centers. Your pastor or church counselor may also have information on where to find a Christian therapist for your child.

When you have your shortlist of potential therapists, ask your prospective therapist questions to find out what therapeutic techniques they’ll use, and what your child’s treatment plan might be. Additionally, find out where your therapist’s offices are located, and see if they live close to you, as that may affect your ability to take your child for their sessions.

On another practical note, you can also check if the appointment times work well for your schedule, and you can ask about costs for treatment, and if your insurance will cover it. If possible, you can try and arrange a free session to see if your child and the therapist get along; after all, it’s important that your child feels comfortable with the therapist with whom they’ll be dealing.

Conclusion

Life can bring with it many challenges and changes that we as adults struggle to adapt to. Our children aren’t exempt from this reality, and we may find ourselves unable to provide what they need to get through a difficult situation. Some of those circumstances may be overwhelming for your child and your family, and you may be struggling to cope.

Through professional therapy for children, your child will get the space, support, and tools that they need to talk through their feelings, navigate these changes and develop coping skills and strategies to work through their challenges, anxieties, and fears. Taking that first step and asking for help may be the best thing you do for the well-being and flourishing of your child.