4 Signs Your Child May Benefit From Therapy
By Christina Zambrano, LPN
Even though children's struggles may not always be visible, parents possess the deepest understanding of their own kids. Receiving support early on can significantly benefit both you and your child.
Here are four signs your child may benefit from therapy:
School/Social Avoidance: Your child used to love leaving the house, but lately they have been avoiding things they used to enjoy. It can be worrying and frustrating when your child is refusing to go to school, withdrawing socially, or has an increase in “I don’t feel well” behaviors. If your child received medical clearance, it could be helpful to explore whether anxiety or past stress is playing a role.
According to Dr. Stacey Dobrinsky, “Avoidance of school and social activities are often a tell-tale sign that a child is struggling with anxiety. If, as a parent, you are noticing frequent somatic complaints, resistance to previously enjoyed activities, or constant fights to get your child to school in the morning, talking to a therapist might be helpful to your child.”
Repetitive Behaviors: If your child feels the need to repeat certain behaviors or routines, or often gets ‘stuck’ on certain thoughts or rituals, it may be helpful to reach out to a therapist who specializes in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD. You might notice things like:
Checking, counting, washing, redoing things
Asking the same question repeatedly
Needing things to feel “just right”
The What If’s: Toddlers and school-aged children, in particular, have an insatiable curiosity that drives them to ask many questions. They are quickly expanding and taking in all the surrounding information. Many of us have endured a car ride with our toddlers relentlessly peppering us with, "Why?" It's when the inquiries about "why" transition into hypothetical "what ifs" and spiral into catastrophic thinking that problems arise.
“What if you don’t pick me up?”
“What if something bad happens?”
Reassurance-seeking loops
“It’s helpful to notice your child’s response after you answer one of these questions. If you notice that they often seem unsatisfied by the answer, or ask the same question several more times (despite you already answering), this is often a sign of anxiety,” suggests Dr. Dobrinsky.
Struggling After Upsetting Events: When your child's emotions run high or they can't let go of something that occurred, it presents a significant challenge. Although they might struggle to articulate their experiences, you may observe indicators like:
Overreacting to reminders
Nightmares
Avoiding specific places/people
Sudden fear responses
If you notice these behaviors, it may be time to speak to a trained therapist who can help your child heal from upsetting events.
