First and foremost, children come with families. When a child struggles, the family struggles. Families are complicated, and behaviors that work within one family may be dysfunctional in another. So, the first question to ask: Is my child struggling? The next question is equally important: in what areas of life do I see him/her finding success? When there is a struggle, then therapy can be beneficial especially if it builds on your child’s strengths and successes.
Child therapy is very different from traditional adult talk therapy. Child therapy is part play, part learning, and a lot of connecting. Our world is complicated, and children often struggle with growing and developing in our complicated world. Many families who decide to venture into child therapy state they wish they had started it sooner, but fear and uncertainty kept them from seeking the helping hand they needed.
Whether your child has traumatic issues or is struggling with the brave and simple act of being human, child therapy can help kids deal with hard subjects. In a family, each person is unique. Each one will sail through some stages of development and stumble in others. Child therapy helps guide the family through this process in a healthy way.
Trauma is not the only reason a parent may choose to seek counseling for their child. Positive growth can be helpful in many facets of a child’s life. Therapy sessions can focus on working towards an optimistic future, developing appropriate coping methods, learning to control moods, as well as boosting self esteem, self confidence, and other healthy traits that lead to overall emotional wellness.
Whether the child is participating in play therapy, behavioral therapy, or expressive therapy, it can provide them with opportunities to build resilience. When a child and their family builds resilience they are better prepared to respond to and recover from life’s future difficulties. Ever wonder why some people who have gone through several rough patches can be so happy? They have built strong resilience skills. Resilience provides the child and family with the ability to navigate choppy waters and grow through life events rather than be defined by them.
Please contact me with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Julie Taylor | 407.739.7260 | Julie@wintergardenkids.com