Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child-therapy at Thriveworks Edison.
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Edison, NJ have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
Cheyenne has expressed no interest in going to school these days. She insists on skipping breakfast and refuses to change out of her pajamas. Cheyenne continues to beg her parents to just let her stay home, but, “She can’t afford to miss another day this week,” they tell her. Cheyenne responds by crossing her arms and pouting in the back of the car all the way to school. When she gets home later in the day, she ignores her mother’s greeting and runs to her room.
Cheyenne is exhibiting signs of a problem at school. She might be struggling to keep up in class; she might be getting bullied; there’s no way to know for sure unless Cheyenne opens up about what’s going on. But she insists that she doesn’t want to talk to her parents about it. Fortunately, there’s another person who can prove helpful in these situations: a child therapist.
Every day in a hundred small ways, our children ask, ‘Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do I matter?’ Their behavior often reflects our response. –L.R. Knost
Child therapists specialize in helping children address mental health challenges and other life issues, from mental illnesses and learning disorders to traumatic experiences or difficult situations with family members. These professionals are well-equipped to help kids, as they understand how these young mind’s work and what they need to thrive. If your child is struggling—say he or she is acting similarly to Cheyenne—consider reaching out to Thriveworks Edison Therapy and scheduling a child therapy session. Our team of child therapists and psychologists want to help your child or children live a happy, successful life for years to come.
Who Should Receive Child Therapy?
Think about some of the mental health battles you’ve faced recently. Stress, fights with loved ones, painful emotions. Now think back to what it is like to fight these battles as kids. Fortunately, child therapy can serve as their guiding light—it’s primary purpose being to support children during tough situations and help them work through challenges that affect their health and wellbeing.
A child might be suffering as the result of his parents’ divorce; a child might be confused about his anxious thoughts or compulsions; a child might be bullied at school and fear going back. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few common issues that can be addressed with a child therapist:
- Traumatic experiences
- Moving to a new town
- Bullying
- Parents’ divorce
- Abuse
- Addiction in one’s family
- The death of a family member
- Mental health conditions
- Learning disorders
Are any of these significant events and challenges prevalent in your child’s life? If the answer is yes, he could likely benefit from working with a child therapist. We have good news: Thriveworks Edison Therapy can help your child as soon as today or tomorrow. Just call to schedule his or her appointment.
Does My Child Need Help?
If your child isn’t going through an obvious mental health crisis or experiencing an apparent problem, it can be harder to determine whether they need some help. Here are some signs that your child might be struggling and could benefit from therapy:
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Sleep disturbances
- Social isolation, loneliness
- Failing or worsening grades
- Disinterest in school or other activities
- Self-harm
If you observe any of the above in your child, try talking to them about your observations. Let them know that you’re worried about them and that you’re there if they need or want to talk. Also, consider setting them up with a child therapist or psychologist. Often, our children and teens don’t want to talk to us about the challenges they’re facing. But they might be willing to open up to a third party like a child therapist.
Schedule a Child Therapy Session at Thriveworks Edison Therapy
You can set your child up with a child therapist or psychologist as soon as today or tomorrow. When you call to schedule your appointment, a scheduling specialist will ask you a few general questions and then help you schedule a session on a day and at a time that works for both you and your child. If you need to come in for an evening appointment or a weekend appointment, we can accommodate that. Additionally, if you’d prefer to do an online session, we can meet that need too.
To schedule a child therapy session at Thriveworks Edison Therapy, simply give our office a call. Our team is here and ready to help.
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