Child Counseling: Gifting your Child Emotional Wellness

Most parents dream of having children who are healthy and happy, eager to do whatever necessary to help them reach their full potential. Unfortunately, there is no “hard and fast rule” on how you can help your child achieve happiness and health in life. Without a blueprint you may feel at a loss as to what to do in certain situations. This can certainly be true if you fear your child may be struggling with a behavioral or mental health condition.

A child’s emotional wellness undoubtedly plays a critical role in many aspects of their growth. Mental health is just as important as physical health. This can influence their relationships with you and the rest of the family, their peers, and their mentors. Unfortunately, their emotional development isn’t always easy to visualize or understand. You may feel confused in the process. You may end up blaming yourself, feeling exasperated or angry for not being able to make your child behave or feel better. You aren’t alone. Counseling can help.

Understanding Children’s Emotional Health

Your child’s emotional or mental health is an essential cornerstone of their life and overall health. It is a core aspect of their cognitive and social development needed to build life skills and social skills. These skills can set them up for success throughout their lives..

According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, “The early years matter because, in the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second…. These are the connections that build brain architecture – the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depend.” This explains why adverse experiences during childhood can significantly affect brain development or contribute to delay in emotional development.

There’s a host of factors that can impact mental health and development. This can make identifying what’s going on difficult. Adjusting to varied situations can be more challenging if your child has an emotional condition such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD etc. They can also be more susceptible to having poor self-esteem and negative thoughts and feelings. They may also be at greater risk to perform poorly in school or have unhealthy behaviors.

Your Role as a Parent

You have the most important role in raising your child and you have the power to make a difference in their life. Every psychology or child development book will say that your love, care and support can make a world of difference. Just like providing them the basics for good physical health is important, so are the basics for emotional wellness.

Mental Health America (MHA) shares these “basics for a child’s good mental health: unconditional love from family, self-confidence and high self-esteem, the opportunity to play with other children. encouraging teachers and supportive caretakers, safe and secure surroundings, and appropriate guidance and discipline”. It matters that you show up for them.

The Benefits of Counseling

Parenting is difficult, counseling can help. It’s likely that you want the best for your child, though it can be confusing to know what that is sometimes. Especially if you are concerned about your child. If your child’s behaviors are challenging or you worry they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, consulting with a trained child therapist can make all the difference.

Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC contracts with knowledgeable child counselors that can help. Call CCS today to get started.

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