Does My Child Need Therapy?

Choosing to see a therapist is a big decision. Choosing for your child to see a therapist is even bigger. When choosing if you need to see someone to work through your problems you have a good barometer to weigh your options. You know what you are thinking and feeling and you probably have a good idea that the benefits will outweigh  the discomfort that can come from seeing a therapist for the first time. A child may not understand that they would benefit from talking to a professional and may not understand that the work that is done in a therapist’s office can alter the course of their life for the better.

As a parent it is your job to determine if counseling is necessary for your child. A teacher may recommend therapy but they don’t know your child like you do. Ultimately it is your decision to submit your child to the help of a relative stranger with little more than some online reviews to determine who your child sees. That can be incredibly scary so it’s important to determine if your child would benefit from therapy and if so who should they see?

How To Determine if Your Child Should Seek the Help of a Therapist

1. Behavior Outside the Normal Range – Growing up is hard and it is confusing. There’s a lot to learn and for many kids this can be an overwhelming time for them. Periods of quiet, moodiness and even anger are normal behaviors at one time or another. Being sullen or talking back at times is a normal part of navigating the waters of puberty. However, if your child’s behavior starts getting in the way of life it might be time to seek outside help. Does your child hide in his room all day refusing to see friends? That’s a good indication that something might be going on and it’s time to get help.
2. The Child Has Control – If you find all your attention is focused on the child who is having trouble and not on the other members of the family it might time to seek professional help. If the one child is getting all the attention because she throws temper tantrums at the slightest trigger it might be best to seek help, possibly for the whole family depending on how long the behavior has been ruling the family.
3. Threatening Self or Others – If your child is threatening to hurt himself or others such as siblings, teachers or you it’s time to seek help.
4. Sudden Weight Changes – Have you noticed a sudden and profound weight change? It could be the sign of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious business and one should not take a wait and see attitude. If your child has lost a substantial amount of weight, or gained a substantial amount of weight, it’s time to get some help.
5. Bullying – Is your child complaining or showing signs of being bullied? If your child displays anxiety at going to school he or she may be being bullied. Does your child have unexplained marks or bruises on his or her skin? That may be a sign of bruising too (unexplained bruises or scabs may also be a sign of cutting and that needs immediate attention).

These are just some of the many behaviors a child might display to indicate professional help might be warranted. For many parents the feeling that something just isn’t right, even though they can’t put their finger on it, is a strong pull to get help. If you think your child is in need of professional counseling give us a call, we can help you determine the best course of action.