It goes without saying that you want the best for your child. From the moment they were born, you care and want them to thrive. This can make it very painful when things aren’t going well for them, and you might be at a loss as to what to do. If your kid is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, you may be considering bringing them to a child psychologist. If you are located in or near Eastchester, we would be more than happy to help you.
Does My Child Need Therapy?
Why Therapy?
Parents are often hesitant to put their children in therapy. They may be unsure if it will be helpful, worry that it will aggravate the problem, or feel that they should be the person who helps their child work through their issues. However, some issues need to be handled by a professional. Therapy is often a helpful space for kids who are having problems to be able to talk about what’s going on with them to an unbiased, nonjudgmental party. Sending your child to therapy doesn’t mean that you’ve failed them—in fact, it means that you are helping them when they need you the most.
Signs Your Child May Need Therapy
You might be wondering whether your child really needs therapy or if they are going through a phase that will just blow over with time. While every individual is different, there are certain signs that indicate that therapy is the best course of action.
Big Life Changes
It’s common for parents to put their children in therapy in response to a big change. Whether you have recently moved, gotten divorced, or lost a loved one, children often don’t know how to process these types of major life events on their own. Your child may be more affected by these changes than you realize, even if you haven’t talked to them directly about it. If your child is going through a major life change, it may benefit them to talk to a therapist.
Change In Eating Or Sleeping Patterns
It’s normal for children (teens especially) to fluctuate in weight sometimes, so weight gain or loss is not necessarily something that requires therapy. However, if you notice changes in the way they eat in conjunction with other troubling symptoms, it may be a good idea. If you find out that your child is restricting their food or purging, you should be concerned.
In addition, sleep patterns do change over time, but there are some issues that may be a problem you need to address. For example, if your child has insomnia, nightmares, or is sleeping excessively, it could indicate a bigger problem.
Changes In Mood
You know your child better than anyone, so if you notice any changes in their disposition, it may be cause for concern. Maybe they are crying more than usual, or seem sad or depressed. Perhaps they are becoming irritated or angry more often or are acting out. Maybe they are totally fine one moment and then totally despondent the next. If your child’s mood has changed, this is a pretty clear sign that therapy may be in order.
In our next blog, we will continue to go over signs your child may need therapy. In the meantime, if you are looking for a child psychologist in Eastchester, we’d love to help. Contact Dr. Angela Reiter & Associates to schedule an appointment with a child counselor today.