As a parent, you want your child to grow into the best person they can be. Along the way, they’ll likely run into some hiccups, including emotional and social ups and downs. These issues, such as test anxiety, moodiness, and shyness, are common for kids. Sometimes, they can make it harder to understand when your child is struggling.
According to a 2022 report on United States adolescents, nearly 20% of kids ages 3-17 have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. If you’re concerned about your child, finding the right child therapist could make all the difference. Learn more about the possible signs of concerning behavior and what to expect from child therapy here.
Behavioral and Emotional Concerns
Just like adults, children experience a range of feelings. It’s common for young kids to be upset or angry one second, and then happy the next. These emotional fluctuations typically happen because they haven’t yet built up their emotional regulation skills.
But what if you’ve noticed sudden, intense shifts in behavior consistently, or you’re hearing about frequent behavioral problems at school? Sometimes, anxiety, depression, grief, and other concerns can manifest as behavioral and emotional concerns. The following signs may indicate a deeper issue:
- Problems at home and school: If your child is acting out both at home and in school, they may be dealing with something that needs your attention. For example, maybe your child isolates himself at school and spends a lot of time in his room at home. This behavior may indicate your child is experiencing anxiety or depression.
- Sleep or appetite changes: Is your child eating less than usual or sleeping longer than they should be? Changes in their typical sleeping and eating routines can indicate a problem.
- Withdrawal from activities: Maybe your child is an avid tennis player, but lately, she’s been skipping practice and saying she’s no longer interested in the sport. When kids suddenly disengage from things they used to love, it’s something to keep an eye on, as it could be a sign of a deeper struggle.
- Mood swings and irritability: As kids get older, they feel and display all kinds of emotions, which can be a roller coaster for your family. However, constant aggression, sadness, or grumpiness may indicate your child is facing additional challenges.
Social and Developmental Concerns
While all kids develop differently, it’s still important to make sure your child is hitting milestones and building skills. Many people think of counseling as a method for managing mental health, but it can also be extremely beneficial for kids who may need extra support socially and developmentally. If you’re noticing the following concerns with your child, you may want to explore therapy:
- Trouble making friends: Some kids are naturally reserved and introverted. If your child has just one or two close friends, that’s not an immediate red flag. However, kids who consistently struggle to maintain friendships or are hesitant to socialize at all may be dealing with a bigger issue that therapy could help address.
- Social isolation: Similar to having trouble making friends, experiencing complete social isolation is a larger sign that your child may benefit from counseling. If you notice that your child has no social connections or teachers at school report that they’re socially withdrawn, consider speaking with a professional.
- Age-inappropriate behaviors: Sometimes, kids display behaviors that are more typical of younger children, like frequent tantrums or difficulty understanding social cues. While some regression is normal when kids are stressed, your child’s behavior may not be normal for their age if you notice consistent issues.
- Communication challenges: When kids have trouble expressing themselves, understanding others, or engaging in conversations, it could be because they have underlying social or developmental concerns. For example, they might be unable to follow directions or struggle to answer questions.
Mental Health Concerns
Even young children can experience mental health issues, so parents need to be on high alert when their kids start showing potential signs of conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. From child emotional regulation problems to seemingly constant worry, mental health concerns can manifest in many ways. Here are a few examples to look out for:
- Repetitive, harmful behaviors: Some kids simply have unique quirks that make them who they are. If your child has self-destructive behaviors, though, such as skin picking, you’ll want to keep a watchful eye on them. These habits can signify anxiety, stress, or other emotional concerns.
- Excessive anxiety or worry: Does your child always seem anxious, nervous, or worried? Feeling tense about a school presentation is expected, but it becomes a concern when it starts to interfere with daily life. If your child’s nervousness is frequent and severe, it could be due to an anxiety disorder.
- Signs of depression: There are many potential signs of depression, but persistent sadness, a loss of interest in activities, sleep issues, and changes in appetite are the top indicators to watch for. Remember that even seemingly happy kids can be struggling inside, so check in with your child anyway to keep tabs on how they’re feeling.
- Aggressive outbursts: As kids get older, they tend to get better at dealing with their emotions. For example, when an older child is upset by something, they won’t throw a tantrum like they did as a toddler. If your child is having difficulty managing their anger and experiences frequent, intense outbursts, you may want to consult a therapist.
Supporting Your Child With Counseling
Ultimately, you know your child best. If you’re concerned about their behavior for any reason, it’s likely worthwhile to bring up the issue to their pediatrician. By working with a professional and validating your child’s feelings, you can create a great foundation for finding the right solutions.
For many children, therapy may not be the first step, as positive changes can sometimes happen through small adjustments at home. However, counseling has real benefits, and there are many reasons children go to therapy. If you move forward with therapy, you’ll want to keep a few considerations in mind to make the process smoother:
- Learn about your options: Between cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and other methodologies, you have several counseling options to think about. Work with your child’s pediatrician to narrow down the best approach. It’s also helpful to do your own research to learn as much as you can.
- Assess different therapists: Give yourself some time to look into different therapists. While you want your child to start benefiting from therapy as soon as possible, you also want to make sure they receive the best help. Look at reviews, testimonials, and other information before you settle on a professional.
- Don’t hesitate to make changes: As your child goes through therapy, stay updated on their progress and experiences. It may be necessary to manage your expectations, but you should also make changes if your child doesn’t seem to be improving. Eventually, you’ll find the most helpful approach for your child.
Find the Right Support Today
Navigating children’s mental health issues can be a complex experience, but you have options to support your child. At Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, we offer multiple therapy options with highly experienced, professional clinicians, including play therapy.
Some of the top benefits of children’s play therapy include improved emotional regulation and expression, enhanced communication skills, and increased self-esteem. During a play therapy session, kids have the chance to show their emotions and feelings in a safe, creative space, helping them learn essential skills and overcome certain challenges.
If you’re interested in play therapy and its potential to help your child, we’re here to help. Call us at 978-482-7351 to learn more.