California: 1849 Sawtelle Blvd #610, Los Angeles, CA 90025 | Minnesota: 7201 Metro Boulevard Suite 550, Edina, MN 55439
Telehealth Available | Neurodiversity Affirming Care
Child Therapy
Do You Wish You Knew How To Better Understand And Help Your Child?
Is your child experiencing big emotions that overwhelm you both? Have you been struggling to understand them because it’s hard for them to communicate complicated feelings with words? Do you worry that they’re displaying signs of low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression?
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your child has become more irritable and prone to meltdowns. Maybe defiance and tantrums are more frequent, and this has caused conflict and tension in the household. Or it could be that they’ve become withdrawn and avoidant and won’t share what might be troubling them.
Seeing your child go through emotional struggles is challenging, especially when you’re not sure how to help them. More than anything, you want them to feel incredibly loved, understood, and supported.
As They Continue To Grow, Kids Face A Variety Of Problems That Can Affect Their Mental Health
Perhaps your child struggles to make or maintain friendships, concentrate in school, or even feel interested or motivated to participate in activities they once enjoyed. Or it could be that they are displaying unsafe or aggressive behaviors like hitting other kids, lashing out, or running away.
To add to this, you’ve probably noticed that these symptoms have become more evident:
anxiety/ depression
sleep issues
hyperactivity
chronic pain
gastrointestinal issues
negative self-image
changes in eating habits
poor academic performance
increased outbursts
Your child likely feels confused about what’s happening to them, and you may believe that what they’re experiencing is beyond your control. At Neuron & Rose Psychological Services, we are here to support you and help your little one make sense of these big emotions so they can learn how to regulate them.
Children Experience Mental Health Challenges Too
Unfortunately, being a child does not exempt you from experiencing difficult circumstances for which you need emotional support and healing through counseling/therapy.
As of 2019, in the United States, 13.6 percent of children between the ages of five and 17 years old engaged in mental health treatment over the span of 12 months. Overall, 10 percent of children participated in counseling/ therapy with a mental health professional, and 8.4 percent were on prescription medication for their mental health. (1)
What Impacts Children’s Mental Health
Your child’s mental health can be significantly impacted by a variety of factors that create emotional challenges and disrupt their well-being.
Family stressors can expose your child to environments marked by tension and uncertainty. Bullying at school may introduce feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and fear, undermining their sense of security.
Additionally, experiencing grief and loss, whether due to the death of a family member or friend— or other major life changes like moving—can trigger complex emotions that are difficult for children to process and handle on their own.
To top it off, exposure to trauma, inappropriate content, or harmful interactions on social media can profoundly affect their emotional stability, self-esteem, and perception of the world around them.
Seeking therapy for your child may be brand new territory and we admire this step you’re taking so you can see them experience positive growth and development.
Therapy Can Help Your Child Thrive
At Neuron & Rose Psychological Services, we provide a safe space for your child to express themselves. With us, they can feel comfortable communicating their needs, sharing their feelings, and ‘nerding out’ without experiencing judgment from others for being themselves.
What To Expect During Child Therapy Sessions
During weekly sessions, your child can feel at ease while they connect with their therapist. We encourage them to share their interests as this is one of the ways we form a connection and develop trust.
We also encourage you, the parent, to attend sessions so that you can learn how to help your child play, regulate, and express who they truly are. This is a space where you can learn how to play with, respond to, and effectively support them when symptoms show up.
Our Tailored Approach to Child Therapy
Children can discover more about themselves and their role in the world through play therapy. Because therapy can initially seem daunting, we've created an environment where they can feel free to play and express themselves through play, expressive arts, and other developmentally tailored interventions.
Children who cannot clearly communicate their thoughts and feelings through words can do so indirectly through the materials provided. Child-centered play therapy interventions are used as a means of emotional release, building problem-solving skills, processing traumas, and reducing anxiety in a healthy way.
In this therapeutic space, play becomes an avenue through which your child can experience emotional release, learn problem-solving abilities, and process traumatic experiences. Moreover, the natural process of play helps alleviate anxiety, offering children a healthy path toward positive growth.
Parents play an essential role in the therapeutic process as your involvement can significantly help strengthen the connection you have with your child. Being present also allows you to learn regulation strategies for you both. It also helps you understand communication strategies, establish healthy boundaries, explore attachment styles, and find better ways to communicate with them so that they feel seen and validated.
As a devoted parent, we know you have your little one’s best interest at heart. Our ultimate goal is to help your kiddo develop confidence in themselves and their ability to regulate their emotions and handle tough situations. We also want you to feel supported in your ability to help them handle the big feelings. We can all work as a team to get your kid back on track toward a thriving, happier version of themselves.
Perhaps You Still Have Some Questions About Child Therapy…
What if my kid doesn’t want to come to therapy?
It’s perfectly normal for kids not to want to come to therapy, and they say no for different reasons. While you want to encourage your child to attend therapy, forcing them can lead to resistance. We recommend talking with them in advance about what to expect. We can help and coach you as the parent through this process.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if your child could benefit from therapy. We are here to help answer all your mental health questions. We can schedule a consultation to figure out the best options for you and your child.
As the parent, do I need to be a part of therapy?
Yes. It’s important that parents are involved in the therapy process. Depending on your child's age, however, your participation may vary. Your child will have individual sessions as well as opportunities for you to join.
Ultimately, we want you to learn about what we do during sessions, as well as be there to support your kid through the tough emotions. Don't worry, we often work to prepare you ahead of time so you feel confident before jumping behind the wheel.
Let Us Help Your Kid Enjoy Being A Kid Again
If your child is struggling with frequent meltdowns and is unable to manage big emotions, therapy with Neuron & Rose Psychological Services can provide empowering solutions.
Let us help you and your child enhance your connection! Please schedule a free initial 15-minute consultation by calling (805) 285-2307 or visiting our contact page.
–
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db381.htm#:~:text=Interview%20Survey%2C%202019.-,Summary,medication%20for%20their%20mental%20health
Recent Posts
In the realm of neurodiversity, it's crucial to create supportive environments that cater to the unique needs of every individual, especially in high school settings where students are navigating academic and social challenges. For ADHD-ers and Autistics, accessing appropriate accommodations through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) AND 504 Plans can significantly enhance their educational experience. Let's delve into some common accommodations parents can request during IEP meetings.