As a parent, you want the best for your child, and raising your child(ren) can be a beautiful process. It takes time, energy, and endurance to foster relationships, disciplines, and environments that bring out the unique personality and heart of your child. However, the parenting journey can be difficult. There are times when you’re feeling too overwhelmed and/or tired. Your “gas tank” is empty. You feel alone, confused, and/or fearful about how to address or manage your child’s difficult behaviors or overwhelming emotions. If you’re feeling “in over your head”, it’s okay to get help for your child.
Not sure what to do about your child’s behaviors or emotions?
There are lots of reasons why parents seek therapy for their child(ren). Do any of these sound like you or your child?
You (the parent):
• don’t know how to handle or manage your child’s behavior or emotions. • are stressed, isolated, and/or overwhelmed. • have tried everything you know to do, and nothing seems to work. • are worried about things becoming worse than they are. • are afraid your child might be like this for the rest of their life. • feel like you’ve failed your child or not done enough. • Your relationship with your co-parent, spouse, or significant other is or has deteriorated because of your child’s behaviors. • Your relationship with your child has deteriorated because of your child’s behaviors. • are a single parent trying to manage it all, and it’s just too much.
Your child:
•has difficulty expressing how they feel at all appropriately or at all • has tantrums or meltdowns and/or has difficulty calming down when upset. • seems to be manipulative or controlling with their actions. • wants things their way and has a hard time being flexible or accepting no. • is overly fearful, worried, or anxious. • has experienced something traumatic. • has experienced a recent change, loss, or transition but having a hard time adjusting. • Your child’s issues negatively take priority over all other priorities in the family. • Your child’s issues delay plans or keep your family from doing plans at all.
If any of these resonated, know these (and many more) are common reasons parents will seek out child therapy!
How Child Therapy Can Help Your Child (and You)!
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. -Proverbs 14:26
You might have realized that your child is not alone in experiencing difficulties. Sometimes, we need someone who’s going to be able to say it’s okay and we’re here to help when the going gets tough. That’s exactly what we’re here to do. Whether you’re co-parenting or solo parenting, we can work together through this difficult season. Whether it’s building better communication; adjusting family boundaries or rules; helping your child navigate their own heart, emotions, or difficult behaviors; learning some parenting tips; or simply having a safe space to feel supported yourself, you can have a more enjoyable relationship with your child. When things get tough, we at Sojourner Counseling are ready to walk alongside you and your child. As child therapists, we’ve worked with children who have experienced similar issues as you’re seeing with your child. We’ve seen the difficulty AND we’ve seen the improvement; seen parents feeling more relaxed and have more skills to help their children. We’ve heard both parents and kids talk about feeling and noticing differences.
What will a Sojourner Counseling child therapist do with my child?
A child therapist will meet with you to learn more about your child. (There’s a good chance the first meeting will be a parent-only meeting so you can share freely about the concerns you have.) One of our child therapists gains a comprehensive understanding of your child’s background to identify underlying issues. Sometimes, we ask you or your child to complete a short questionnaire or screener, like when you go to the doctor’s office, to help us gain a better understanding, too. After we have a thorough understanding, we will recommend an approach that will be helpful for your child and for you. Once your child begins counseling, you can expect to be involved in your child’s treatment by meeting with the child therapist. There might be homework you and your child might complete in between sessions. (Think of homework like practicing for a sports game or an instrument for a recital. Practice time at home makes a big difference!) Counselors may use art, play, games, parent coaching, books, music, and other activities to make therapy engaging. Your child’s counselor might also recommend a particular approach such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or EMDR for trauma.
What if my child doesn’t want to come?
This might be the case! First off, many children are nervous about coming to therapy because they don’t know what it’ll be like. It’s hard to face something difficult or to face change. Second, once they come, their worries are often eased by meeting the counselor and seeing what counseling all is about. Third, there are a lot of things children don’t want to do…clean their rooms, eat healthy vegetables, brush their teeth, you name it! But just like those things they don’t want to do, therapy might be something they really need. Let your counselor know this upfront so they can work with you and your child to navigate this issue. Our counselors consider this in their approach to working with children and adjust as needed.
Begin Counseling for Child Therapy in Raleigh NC
By now, you’re ready to sign up for child therapy, and we’re ready to come alongside you or your child on this journey. We’re hopeful that your child can find get the help needed. Our Garner, NC counseling clinic has child counselors who specialize in child therapy in Raleigh, NC or virtually.
To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
Get StartedSchedule an appointment online today!
Meet with one of trained child therapists.
Start finding healing and renewal through therapy!
Wondering about Other Counseling Services We Offer?
We are trained to work with various ages and different issues. In addition to child therapy, we specialize in anxiety treatment, PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, Christian counseling, and counseling for global workers.