Making sense of the world — with a little outside help.
Counseling can be a great way to help your child or teen understand what’s going on in their world — and what they are thinking and feeling about it all. It is also a good idea for parents who are noticing behavioral issues at school or at home. By encouraging your teen to seek therapy with a counselor in Granbury, you are giving them the benefit of a neutral party they can trust and talk to about things they may not be comfortable sharing with a parent or sibling.
Therapy Options for Younger Kids
You may not realize the stressors that your younger child encounters on a daily basis, but for many kids, life can cause some serious anxiety. But of course, the approaches that a child’s therapist will take have to be different than those methods that would be aimed at an adult. Through play therapy techniques, workbooks to teach therapy ideas and talking through the problems toward solutions, our youth can achieve stability.
How Therapy Can Help Your Teen
It can often be difficult for parents to recognize that their teen needs to or at the very least could benefit from a stint in therapy. After all, some amount of teen angst is normal, right? But if you feel like your teen is stressed out most of the time, or if you fear that their insecurities or anxiety is causing them to make destructive decisions (to themselves or other people), then therapy may be just what he or she needs to finish out their teen years happier and healthier.
Counseling is a good idea for teens dealing with the following issues:
- Depression and mood disorders: These conditions can last into the adult years if not diagnosed and treated early.
- Behavioral issues: If your teen is frequently disruptive at school or is exhibiting other behavioral issues, a therapist can help to discern what may be underlying this destructive symptom.
- Social problems at school: Let’s face it — high school can be grueling. If your teen is struggling with friends or romantic relationships, a counselor can provide an important source of (neutral) insight.
- Any other issue that is affecting their ability to function optimally — like mourning the loss of a loved one, substance abuse, and more.
How to Talk to Your Child or Teen about Therapy
If you decide that you want to encourage your teen to visit a therapist, you will likely need to approach the subject carefully. Talking to your child openly and honestly about the factors at play will help — as will reminding him or her that many teens visit a therapist to improve the way they cope with problems or make decisions. Help your teen set reasonable expectations for the therapy session, reminding them that the primary goal is not to magically fix the issue(s) — because that is impossible — but to simply talk openly and honestly with the counselor.
Amy can provide additional helpful tips and strategies for talking to your child or teen about therapy. To discuss this more in-depth or to book an appointment for your child, you are invited to contact your Granbury counselor today.
