Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being?

• Has your child been doing poorly in school and struggling in class?
• Is your child suffering from low self-esteem?
• Does your child have trouble processing a major life transition, such as moving to a new place or the death of a loved one?
• Are you concerned that your child seems angry or withdrawn—but you don’t know why?

Maybe you’ve noticed that your child hasn’t been spending as much time with their friends lately. They may have dropped some of their social hobbies and are spending more time alone in their room or watching TV. 

You may be concerned that your child is dealing with bullies at school. Or perhaps you suspect that they have ADHD because it’s so difficult for them to pay attention in school, but you don’t know how to get them the support they need in the classroom. 

Conversely, your family may be going through a difficult time, and your child is picking up on your stress. A divorce, the loss of a relative, moving, or even household financial troubles can affect your child’s mental health. You try to comfort them, but you may not always know what to say to cheer them up. 

When you try to talk to your child about your concerns, they may hesitate to open up. Sometimes, they might even get angry that you asked. Maybe they’re too young to put their complex emotions into words, or maybe they simply feel guarded. No matter what you say or do, you just can’t seem to get through to them.  

If you’re unsure of where to turn for support, it might be time to consider child therapy. A caring and compassionate counselor can help your child learn to express themselves, develop a healthy sense of self-esteem, and understand their emotions. 

Even Young Children Struggle With Their Mental Health

Many people assume that only adults suffer from mental health problems. But while the symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD may manifest differently in children, many young people also deal with these issues. 

Some children have lived through traumatic experiences that make it hard for them to feel truly safe and relaxed. Others face bullying in school. And even outside of the classroom, it can be hard to escape cruel comments when so many young people use social media. 

Our societal norms are also not always conducive to children’s mental and emotional health. Today, many children spend hours each day online, and the images they see might contribute to body image issues and low self-esteem. Some might also feel anxious about global events and worry about their future. In light of all of this, childhood can be difficult to navigate—simply trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in the world is a challenge that everyone faces. 

In addition, a lot of children feel stressed by academic pressures and worry that even their best isn’t good enough. And while parents may try to shield them from problems going on in their household, children often catch more than adults realize—they might overhear arguments or notice that their parents are feeling upset.

But by teaching your child age-appropriate coping skills, a child therapist can help your child thrive, process their experiences, celebrate their strengths, and cultivate a more positive outlook for the future. 

Child Therapy Can Provide A Space For Safe Creative Expression

Some parents might question if young children can really benefit from therapy, or if working with a therapist would feel intimidating for their child. But therapy is not like a classroom environment. A skilled therapist can create a relaxing, low-pressure environment at every session and choose treatment approaches based on your child’s age, interests, and needs. 

In therapy, your child will be able to open up and express themselves honestly and in a way that feels natural. There is no curriculum to follow—it’s all about what kind of support your child needs. Your child’s therapist will allow them to move forward at their own pace and not push them to talk about a difficult topic before they are ready. Their counselor will also address the roots of your child’s frustrations in a way that they can understand and work with you so that you can support your child outside of therapy.

To start, your child’s therapist will get to know your child before creating a treatment plan. They will customize their approach to your child’s therapy sessions depending on their unique needs. Our therapists prioritize transparency, so they can explain to you why they’ve chosen treatments and how these treatments will benefit your child. 

In therapy sessions, your child will learn essential skills that can benefit them for life. Over time, their therapist will work to boost your child’s self-esteem and teach them helpful emotional regulation techniques that are easily understandable for even young children. They will also work on basic problem solving and coping skills. With older children, a therapist can also focus on developing healthy habits and forming fulfilling friendships. 

For child therapy, a counselor will utilize modalities that allow children to be playful and creative. This helps them feel more comfortable in therapy and gives really young ones the chance to “say” what’s on their minds without using words. For instance, your child’s sessions might involve art therapy, which can include activities like drawing or painting. This non-verbal, sensory-based approach to therapy provides a form of expression for children that isn’t bound by rules and lets them open up without talking. In addition, your child might enjoy play therapy, a modality that allows their therapist to observe them while they play and gain insight. This will help them to work with your child to explore any unresolved issues, change inappropriate behaviors, and even teach coping mechanisms. 

Our practice is growing quickly, and we provide an extensive variety of mental health services to people of all ages and backgrounds. Before booking a counseling session for your child, you can get in touch with our administrative team through our contact page. They will help you find an available appointment with one of our qualified child therapists in your area and take care to match you with someone who can provide the kind of support your child needs. 

But you may still have questions about child therapy…

What if I can’t fit child therapy into my family’s busy schedule?

Between school, work, and other family commitments, you may feel like neither you nor your child has enough time to commit to child therapy. But we can work with you to find the most convenient times for sessions. Our team will connect you with an available child therapist at the closest location to your home. In addition, we can explore online therapy options if you don’t have the time to drive to our practice.

I don’t think my child will be interested in therapy.

If your child is hesitant  to engage in therapy, take some time to listen to their concerns and explain why therapy can actually be fun and relaxing. They might assume that it will be boring or strict, but play and art therapy with a patient and compassionate counselor is often very enjoyable for kids. Eventually, your child might even start looking forward to therapy!

Is my child too young for therapy?

Children as young as three can benefit from child-centered play therapy or art therapy. Your child does not have to have a big vocabulary to benefit from these forms of therapy. In fact, even nonverbal children can make progress through these modalities because they open up outlets for expression that do not require words. 

You Can Help Your Child Get The Support They Need

Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or even trauma, therapy can help them heal. If you want to learn more about therapy for your child, please feel free to ask us any questions you may have through our contact page. And when you’re ready to schedule your child’s first session, you can book an appointment through our scheduling page at one of our Minnesota locations in Edina, Plymouth, St. Cloud, or St. Louis Park.