Some parents have trouble reaching out to their children as they get older. With new friends, peer pressure and the ever-present influence of social media and the internet, kids have many new experiences and self-discoveries to navigate.
Sometimes a kid can go through a distressing or shocking event, which can lead to big changes in their personality or communication over a short period of time. It may be easier for your kid to speak to a child therapist in Chicago who is unbiased, comforting and experienced with helping young folks open up and address their issues in a safe environment.
Some behavioral or emotional concerns of a child that can be helped with therapy include:
Grief
While kids are resilient, divorce and loss introduce big changes in a child’s reality, including the inability to see someone they love. Children may not fully understand why things unfolded the way they did or how to move past loss. Child counseling helps a kid work through the grieving process healthily.
Rocky parent/child bonds
At a certain age, kids feel disconnected from their parents as they begin to build a life and relationships separate from their parents. You may hear a refrain of “You just don’t understand!” Counseling for parents and children can clear up misunderstandings and restrengthen family bonds.
Additional Read: Family Problems: How To Overcome The Most Common Family Issues
Sleeping issues
Wetting the bed, being scared of the dark, having constant nightmares, or experiencing separation anxiety or insomnia are just a few of the sleeping issues we can help with.
Depression
Like adults, many children feel the weight of body shaming, bullying, and physical or verbal abuse. They can experience heartache from breakups, loss, parental divorce, bad grades and more. Depression may lead to thoughts of running away, drug and alcohol use, or suicide. Our specialists are highly skilled at unpacking and remedying these issues.
Disorders
Kids can deal with complex issues like autism, ADHD, eating and sleeping disorders, and other conditions that can be hard to navigate, even with the help of a parent. Child counseling helps the family understand your child’s unique situation and relays tools to help them recover or receive the most out of their academic and personal lives.
Trauma and stress
Therapists create a safe environment where children who have experienced trauma or significant life stressors can express their feelings, process their experiences and develop resilience.
Behavioral issues
Children may lash out, fight or exhibit other challenging behaviors that impact their relationships and functioning. Therapy can help identify the underlying causes of these behaviors and equips children with alternative ways to express themselves, manage emotions and develop healthy social skills.
