Are You Worried That Your Child May Be Struggling With Symptoms Of Child Anxiety?
Do you have a young child, who has suddenly developed or continues to experience unexplained worry, fear or distress? Has this change manifested in behavioral problems, public meltdowns or tantrums? Does your son or daughter fear making mistakes, forming relationships, taking risks or being separated from you to an extent that it negatively affects his or her quality of life? Perhaps you worry that your child is silently suffering and looking for a way to communicate, but you can’t make a connection. It may be that your daughter has trouble sleeping, exercising independence or engaging in sports or activities that she might excel in. Or, your son may refuse to dress for school or eat certain foods, and although you see it as stubbornness, you want to make sure it’s not indicative of a greater issue. Has your child developed nervous tics, gastrointestinal problems, phobias or sensory issues that affect his or her ability to function at school or at home? Feeling confused or even frightened by what is happening with your child may be causing you overwhelming stress, and you just want peace for both of you. Do you wish you could understand what your child is going through so you can help him or her lead a more fulfilled and empowered life?
Anxiety In Children Is Becoming Increasingly Prevalent
Children, like adults, naturally experience times of high stress or worry. The fear of taking tests, going to a new school, navigating the playground or disappointing a parent is natural. And, most of the time, children can resolve stress or fear and move on. However, when stress and worry become a dominating influence in their lives, trapping them in a cycle of self-doubt and fear, they can start to profoundly limit children’s ability to function and thrive.
Anxiety in children can be the result of many factors outside of parental control. A natural genetic predisposition, the loss of a loved one or pet, personal harm or trauma and extreme social change, such as a divorce, can naturally open the door to producing anxiety in kids. Even the constant barrage of bad news on television, overheard conversations of brothers and sisters or bullying can all contribute to your child developing symptoms of childhood anxiety.
Adults, fortunately, have the ability to give a voice to their anxiety and are able to articulate their physical and mental sensations when anxiety takes over. But, for children, finding that voice and communicating thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult. It’s reported that 80 percent of children with anxiety are not treated for it, and without treatment, anxiety can become entrenched and carry into adulthood. The good news is, despite the many factors that can contribute to anxiety in kids, it can be successfully treated. With the help of a passionate and skilled therapist, you can help your child learn to live a happier, freer and more fulfilled life.
Child Counseling Can Lessen The Impact Of Anxiety In Your Child’s Life
Anxiety-focused child counseling gives children a place where they can experience themselves outside the context of their anxiety. Through our sessions, your child will be able to give his or her experience a name, manage triggers that cause anxiety and ultimately learn how to shrink that anxiety so it no longer controls his or her life. You, as a parent, will be given the tools and information you need to mimic our breakthroughs in session and continue to nourish your child’s mental health at home, even after our time together is complete. And lastly, child counseling will establish a rapport between your child and a therapist you can consult in the future if you have any questions about your child’s development.
Every child’s experience with anxiety is unique and complex. And, because there is no silver bullet for curing child anxiety, it’s important to tailor sessions specifically to you and your child. I begin our sessions by sitting down with you, the parent, in order to understand how your child’s anxiety manifests and how it affects both of your lives. Because children are usually most comfortable in the company of their parents, you will have a large presence in our sessions. When I’m not directly counseling your child, I will be relaying to you techniques and information that you can use at home. In time, we will explore the source of the anxiety and reframe it so it can be understood and dealt with in a healthy manner.
In a child’s world, toys are tools of empowerment. That’s why I regularly use guided play therapy to activate their sense of competence and empowerment and always plan a specific activity prior to our sessions. Sometimes, we will give the anxiety a face, a name and a personality so the child understands that anxiety does not represent them as a person. I give each child a virtual “toolbox” containing everything they need to normalize the anxiety, have a dialogue with it and create a separation of self from the condition. I also teach your child relaxation and breathing techniques with scaling exercises that help identify the levels of anxiety being experienced and appropriate, healthy responses to each. When he or she is comfortable, we can also begin to investigate the roots of his or her anxiety and begin changing faulty perceptions about reality that may be harmful.
Counseling for kids with anxiety helps children get back to the truest version of themselves. Together, we can improve your child’s quality of life by teaching her or him how to relax, feel secure and comfortable and navigate any challenges that arise now and in the future.
You may be considering therapy for child anxiety, but still have questions or concerns…
Can I afford the financial costs of child counseling?
Bringing healing to your child should never be a question of affordability. That’s why I accept some forms of insurance and also offer a sliding scale for payments to help my clients offset the costs of therapy. Additionally, it’s important to remember that child anxiety has the potential, if left unresolved, to follow your child into adulthood. By investing in mental health services at an early age, you might just be improving your child’s overall wellbeing for the rest of his or her life.
Will my child be in therapy for the rest of his or her life?
Counseling for children with anxiety doesn’t have to be a long-term treatment. With a strong commitment to healing and engaging in sessions and exercises, clients are usually well underway to controlling and managing their anxiety in 12 sessions. And because I always work with parents first to inform them of the expectations for duration and cost, there are no distractions or surprises once we are in the counseling process.
Does this mean that my child will have to take medication?
Every child responds to therapy differently. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Some clients respond well to therapy, others to medication and yet others to a combination of medication and therapy. Whatever the case, your child’s treatment will be informed by both his or her response to therapy sessions and what you think is best. As a child therapist, I strive to work as an intermediary between you, your child and your pediatrician and offer the best possible care for your child.
You Don’t Have To Figure This Out On Your Own
Helping your son or daughter manage their anxiety alone can be a stressful, confusing and at times, frightening task. I encourage you to call me at 443-340-0505 for a free 15 minute consultation. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about my approach to child counseling for anxiety.
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