Child Therapy
Is It Time To Seek Additional Emotional And Behavioral Support For Your Child?
Are you concerned about some of your child’s behaviors?
Have you noticed them struggling in school, at home, and among their peers?
Do you worry that they don’t have the proper tools to cope or handle big emotions?
Yet do you often feel guilty, frustrated, or impatient when your interventions prove ineffective?
Being a parent is truly the hardest job in the world—one that becomes increasingly difficult when your child demonstrates defiant or rigid behaviors. You may be concerned that they are getting in trouble at school, refusing to engage in everyday activities, or withdrawing from the people and experiences that used to provide them with joy. You’ve probably tried to manage their distress on your own, but nothing seems to work.
Oftentimes, there’s no single identifiable “problem” that children present with; they can exhibit many different symptoms that are hard to differentiate between what’s developmentally appropriate and what signals a deeper issue. Whether they experience social, emotional, or cognitive difficulties, you may be wondering if counseling can offer additional support to better respond to your child’s needs.
If You Suspect Neurodivergence, Affirming Therapy Can Help Your Child Adapt To The Demands Of A Neurotypical World
While our counseling services are available to children struggling with general mental health issues—including anxiety, depression, and trauma-related distress—we also specialize in neuro-affirming therapeutic approaches for clients of all abilities. If you suspect that your child has autism, ADHD, OCD, or learning or developmental disabilities, our therapists can offer support.
Counseling can open up possibilities for your child and your family as a whole. By investing in your child’s mental and emotional health through therapy, you can set them up for success both now and into the future
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Growing Up Is Hard, And So Is Parenting
The process of growing up has always been a period of rapid change, but modern society places certain burdens on this generation of children that previous generations simply did not encounter. Today’s youth are uniquely impacted by technology and social media, constantly exposed to new ideas and stressors. Add this to the pressure to be academically and socially outstanding, and it’s no wonder that children develop concerning mental health symptoms at an early age.
However, as a parent, it’s not as though you are exempt from the pressure and demands of an ever-changing society. Technology has impacted our lives as well, promoting a wide range of ideas about how we should be parenting, and it’s hard to keep up with monitoring our children’s use to ensure technology is being used safely and appropriately.
If you are unsure of how to meaningfully support your child who is struggling, you are not alone—many parents put immense pressure on themselves to have all the answers. Yet, if your child continues to push your limits or if you feel helpless and frustrated when trying to address their behaviors, it may be time to seek the guidance of a trained, seasoned therapist who can help them understand their emotions and develop effective coping skills.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Child Therapy?
Regardless of if your child is neurodivergent or has a mental health issue, there are many behaviors that can be improved with counseling, including:
Resistance
Refusal to go to school or school-related anxiety
Refusal to sleep in their own bed
Social anxiety
Bullying
Academic challenges
Lagging interpersonal, emotional, and executive functioning skills
Symptoms of depression like chronic sadness and withdrawal
Tantrums
Conflicts in their relationships
“Acting out” as a result of a transition in the family, such as a divorce or death
Low self-esteem
However, because we are a neuro-affirming therapy practice, we are pleased to offer support to children who experience learning disabilities, are neurodivergent, or have other developmental challenges. Your child may be an excellent candidate for counseling if you suspect a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or mood and behavior disorders, including depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and other anxiety disorders.
You shouldn’t have to discern or navigate these diagnoses on your own, and at Broward Therapy Group, you don’t have to. Counseling can help your child better handle their emotional and mental health challenges, properly address unhealthy behaviors, and make better choices. Reaching out to a therapist who can meaningfully help your child is the first step—and you are a good parent for doing just that.
At Broward Therapy Group, Your Child’s Uniqueness Is Seen And Celebrated
Our therapists, first and foremost, recognize that as a parent, you are doing your best. Every child is unique and adapts to life differently. Working with our counselors, you will not be expected to understand every aspect of child development and specific diagnoses—we are here to help you better grasp your child’s milestones and how best to support them on their growth journey.
Statistics show that the vast majority—around 80 percent—of mental health issues affecting adults begin in childhood and adolescence, so it’s vital to address these issues early on. We take the emotional, mental, and behavioral health of your child seriously, and we will customize the therapy process to their strengths, goals, and abilities.
What To Expect
To get your child started with a therapist, you will first contact our practice to be matched with a clinician best suited to your needs. We believe that the therapeutic connection itself is the biggest determining factor in how your child responds to therapy, and we are invested in matching you with a counselor who will build a safe, trusted rapport with both you and your child. If there is a clinician at our practice you are interested in working with, please let us know.
From there, various activities and therapeutic approaches will be introduced to the counseling space to foster connection and work toward treatment goals. Oftentimes, these activities involve play, movement, and creative outlets. Your child’s therapist may also include elements of behavioral approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—to help them adjust their relationship with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
As your child feels increasingly comfortable and relaxed in the counseling atmosphere, they are likely to develop more effective coping and self-regulation skills. In the safety of therapy, your child can be given lifelong tools for managing difficult emotions. Furthermore, we will work with you and school professionals to reinforce behavioral skills and develop necessary accommodations at home, school, and everywhere in your child’s life.
At Broward Therapy Group, we are a team of clinicians who seek to affirm, support, and empower—not just the strengths of your child but your strengths as a parent. Whether your child struggles with their mental and emotional health or issues related to being neurodivergent, therapy is an opportunity for them to enhance their confidence, skills, and sense of safety.
Still Have Questions About Whether Or Not Your Child Will Benefit From Counseling?
Can I attend my child’s therapy session with them?
Family involvement is essential to your child’s process of growth and learning. As such, parent feedback sessions are scheduled alongside counseling sessions, wherein you will discuss your observations, concerns, and goals with your child’s therapist. In addition, you may be asked to participate in your child’s therapy sessions from time to time so that you can witness skills-building activities and learn therapeutic techniques.
If more in-depth counseling with you, your child, and other family members could be beneficial, note that ongoing family therapy sessions may be a good option for you. Contact us to find out more about which counseling approach will benefit you, your child, and your family as a whole.
I don’t want my child to be diagnosed or labeled—a diagnosis will harm their academic opportunities and a label may cause them to be judged by others.
The diagnostic process can be scary and uncertain, and we completely understand your fears about your child being judged or labeled. However, we encourage you to think about how a proper diagnosis might open doors for your child. Not only can an accurate diagnosis help your child get effective healthcare and support—it can be essential in getting them necessary accommodations at school.
By knowing what the core issue is that is driving your child’s behaviors, you and the other adults in their lives can learn how to engage their strengths and respond to their needs more effectively.
How quickly will I see changes in my child?
Growth is not a linear path, and a counselor cannot “make” your child change according to a specific timeline. It’s very important for parents to understand what to reasonably expect throughout the therapeutic process and that some interventions take more time than others. Our therapists will make themselves available to meet with you regularly so that you can be kept aware of your child’s progress and ways to help reinforce that progress.
Your Child Can Thrive
You don’t have to navigate your child’s emotional, developmental, or behavioral health alone—Broward Therapy Group welcomes children (ages 3 to 13) of all abilities. To be matched with one of our skilled child therapists, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.
