Is your little one exhibiting a troubling behavior? Are you always being summoned to school because he/she is having a tough time interacting with the other children? Was a recent event causing him/her to be listless, angry, unhappy, pained, scared, or overwhelmed? These are just a few reasons why you must seek counseling for your child.

What is child counseling? Positive Psychology explains, “Child therapy (also called child counseling) is similar to therapy and counseling for adults: it offers a safe space and an empathetic ear while providing tools to bring about change in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.” It is an emotional help that is extended to young people who are distressed because of an emotional or behavioral condition, or who are experiencing trauma or a stressful home environment.

The goal of child counseling is to help improve the overall quality of their lives. The specific goals are varied, depending on the conditions or the experiences affecting the growth, development and the state of emotional wellbeing of a child. This is accomplished by empowering them, providing them the opportunity to acquire the necessary tools, skills and techniques to make positive choices and decisions.

Child counseling often includes family counseling and separate parenting sessions so that the family can be involved in the change process.

What are some compelling reasons for child counseling?

• Offensive behaviors
• Regression or age-inappropriate behaviors, including bed-wetting
• Trouble adapting to social settings
• Poor academic performance
• Persistent anxious behavior
• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Abrupt change in eating patterns
• Recurring bad dreams and sleeplessness
• Doing repetitive rituals and routines like walking back and forth and hand washing
• Harming oneself and others
• Responding to the voices he/she only hears
• Abuse of intoxicating and addictive substances
• Being in constant pain even when doctors couldn’t find anything wrong

Seeking help from the family isn’t something that your child will know with absolute certainty, even when they are old enough to know that. Having emotional issues can be daunting enough for an adult; imagine how confusing and scary that could be for a child or an adolescent.

When you notice some changes in their behaviors, do not hastily jump to any conclusion. Rather than be lost or immersed in your own, dark emotions, think of getting help, the sooner, the better. Help is not so far from home. You can call us – Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina (N. Main St.), NC. For your and your child’s convenience, contact us through our online counseling portal.