Many of us forget about the difficulties and complications that accompany childhood, but the truth is that this period of life comes with its fair share of problems. And these problems can prove particularly taxing, considering we are not yet equipped to deal with them properly.
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.”
–Magic Johnson
That’s where child therapy comes in. Child therapy serves kids and teens who need (or could benefit from) professional assistance. Child therapists specialize in helping young individuals properly deal with the challenges they are met with, from problems at home to those at school and those in their personal relationships. If you think that your child could find value in therapy, consider setting them up with a child therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Germantown in Montgomery County.
Should My Child Meet with a Therapist?
Child therapy is designed specifically for children and adolescents who could benefit from working with a mental health professional. These specialists help kids and teens handle different issues that threaten their health and wellbeing: from harmful mental illnesses like depression or anxiety to low self-esteem, loneliness, parents’ divorce, traumatic experiences, and so on.
All children are welcome in child therapy, from toddlers in preschool—say, those who exhibit early signs of autism or those who have behavioral issues—to teenagers entering high school—say, those who are struggling to “fit in” or those who don’t know how to cope with their parents’ separation. Regardless of their age and their presenting issue, the therapist will work to help them address said issue and build a happier, healthier life. Now, if you are unsure whether your child should meet with a therapist, look out for the following signs, which signify a problem:
- Significant changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Social isolation
- Increase in nerves
- Unwarranted aggression
- Falling grades
- Self-harm
How Can Therapy Help?
The main objective in child therapy is to help these young individuals live a happier, healthier life, whether that means teaching them tools for managing their anger, offering a treatment plan for a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, or simply providing support and guidance as they transition into different phases of life. Here are a few examples of how a child therapist can help a kid or teen tackle the issues they face.
- Managing change and making healthy transitions:
It’s easy for us to forget just how troublesome change can be for kids. In reality, these young minds can find processing and managing these changes difficult. Fortunately, a child therapist can help them to make health transitions, whether it’s moving to a new town, starting at a new school, or dealing with another major change in their life.
- Addressing low self-esteem and building confidence:
Many children (teens especially) struggle with a low self-esteem. They face immense pressure to look or act a certain way as they get older. And when they feel like they haven’t met these demands, their confidence sinks lower and lower. The good news is a child therapist can help your child to build their confidence back up and better address societal pressures as they grow through life.
- Understanding and managing mental illness:
Child therapy is also a great resource for those struggling with the signs of a mental illness. They can receive diagnosis as well as treatment from a child therapist for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. The therapist will talk to them about their symptoms, teach them how to cope, and try to uncover the root cause of the illness (if there is one).
Book Child Therapy at Thriveworks Germantown, MD Today
Do you want your child to grow well through life? Are they experiencing any issues that concern you? Do you think they could benefit from mental health services? Consider scheduling a session with a counselor at Thriveworks Germantown. They can help your child address and manage the issues that come with childhood and teenhood, such as those listed above (loneliness, low self-esteem, bullying, and so on).
To schedule a child therapy session with a therapist or psychologist, all you have to do is give us a call. A scheduling specialist will pick up the phone, ask you a few basic questions, and then get you scheduled with one of our providers at Thriveworks Germantown, MD in Montgomery County as soon as possible. We hope to hear from you soon and we look forward to helping your child live a happy, healthy life.
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Divorce / Breakup, +7 more 
