Child Therapy

Is Your Child Acting Out Or Expressing Unwanted Behavior?

Is your child having behavioral issues that are disrupting your family? Are you struggling to find out what you can do to help them get back to a healthy, joyful life? Do you wish you knew how to manage your child’s difficult behavior or emotional volatility? Perhaps they are having difficulty in school, lashing out siblings, or being overly defiant and you don’t know why. Or it could be that you see your child is trying to reach out the only way they know how to, but you want help better understanding their unspoken needs.

It is often difficult for children to discuss their worries and fears with parents or guardians. Academic pressure, bullying, social isolation, personal challenges, and the inability to connect to others can lead to low self-esteem, stress, and a range of mental health concerns in kids of all ages.

As a parent, you may feel inadequate because all you really want is for your child to listen to you so they can be safe and healthy. But you may no longer be sure how to provide the best support and accomplish those goals. You’ve likely searched the internet for answers, but there continues to be a disconnection between you and your child, so you end up feeling fearful for their future.

Fortunately, there are ways to help your child be more connected, trusting, and respectful. With a little work and commitment, your child can learn to be autonomous, self-aware, and capable of making good choices that can lead to a fulfilling life.

Problematic Behavior Can Be An Expression Of A Child’s Unmet Needs

Just about everyone growing up in today’s fast-paced, demanding world will experience some sort of adversity or challenge. But there are circumstances that can affect children in a much more serious way, possibly giving rise to various behavioral issues or mental health concerns.  In fact, data reveals that approximately eight percent of children (4.5 million kids) nationwide are currently diagnosed as demonstrating a behavior problem.*

This can occur because school-aged kids often struggle to fit in, and as a result, they become disruptive in class or at home to gain attention or feel noticed. They may be impulsive, have difficulty making good decisions, or become defiant when communicating with family members.

Acting out is likely your child’s way of trying to tell you something important—that they are in emotional distress. It is their way of expressing their frustration with people and circumstances they cannot control.

Working with an experienced child therapist can help build communication skills and uncover the true root of the problematic behavior. It is essential not to just deal just with the symptoms, but to identify the origins of the unwanted behavior in order to resolve the emotions and experiences that are holding your child back.

Child Therapy Can Help Your Family Move Forward 

Kids often believe that they are alone in their suffering and that no one understands what they are going through. Child counseling can help your youngster realize they are not alone and discover the resources, coping techniques, and communication skills they need to become confident and make healthy life decisions. This approach is also beneficial in teen counseling when kids exceedingly feel pressure from their peers and uncertainty about how to navigate the obstacles of their teenage years.

Our child counselors at Soul Work Counseling offer a safe space, non-judgmental setting, and compassionate support that will allow your child to feel comfortable exploring their experiences openly and honestly. They will be in an environment where they know they are valued for who they are as a person, regardless of their age, personal opinions, or missteps in their life.

In our child counseling program, there is no blame, intimidation, or shame when your young one exposes their genuine feelings. Child therapy allows for the sharing of thoughts, enabling kids to learn how to trust others and manage their relationships. At Soul Work Counseling we have several options available to produce the best results. Our child counselors can work one-on-one, as well as facilitate sessions with the entire family to help promote open communication.

Getting to the root of the problem is essential for developing skills for lasting change. So, we assure that your child’s therapy treatment plan will be developed specifically to address your family’s concerns. We will help you gain insight into the triggers of your child’s behaviors. They will learn strategies that can be practiced during our sessions and then implemented in real-world situations.

It is tough for many kids to believe they can trust adults. That’s why building a mutual connection is key to moving forward. At Soul Work Counseling we work to understand what is happening in your child’s life and why they may be acting out. We use innovative techniques, such as incorporating coloring or art therapy, to help a child express the feelings and emotions that they may not be able to put into words.

With the help of an experienced therapist, your child can learn to believe in themselves by mastering the skills to express themselves in clearer, more productive ways that foster a healthier, happier family dynamic. In time, therapy for children can help you and your family grow closer with mutual respect toward one another.

You may be considering child counseling but still have questions or concerns…

Is child therapy expensive?

Child counseling may seem like a big investment upfront, but it can be valuable by creating a chance at a life complete with confidence, happiness, and contentment for both your child and your family. Improving a child’s daily functioning, relationships, and productivity now can empower them to take control of their lives in the future. By investing in your family, you are creating a chance for your child to live a life with confidence, happiness, and fulfillment. If finances are preventing you from seeking help, we can also work on payment plans to help meet your financial responsibilities.

I’m afraid that people will think our family is dysfunctional if they find out that my child is in therapy.

This is a common fear for people, but it is important to understand that therapy services for children are absolutely confidential. It is our lawful responsibility to protect every client’s right to privacy by ensuring that matters disclosed to a professional are not relayed to others without informed consent. Our sessions will allow you and your child to express yourselves in a nonjudgmental, confidential, and safe space to work through and understand the issues surrounding your family dynamics.

I’m afraid that having my child in counseling will make them feel worse.

The purpose of child therapy is to help your child feel and perform better both immediately and in the long-term. We want to create an awareness of what is and is not working in your child’s life, allowing them to learn about their behaviors and how to move forward in a positive direction. Working together, your therapist will provide you and your child with support, while exploring new perspectives, developing creative solutions, and highlighting their progress and success. A tailored child counseling program can help your young one handle stress, overcome conflict, improve their confidence, and foster healthy connections based on trust and respect throughout their lives.

Your Child Can Be Happy, Healthy, And Self-Reliant

If you are ready to reach out to a child counselor, contact Soul Work Counseling at 763.746.0842. We have excellent child therapists and we look forward to hearing from you.

* https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(18)31292-7/fulltext