At some point in your child’s life, he may require the help of a child counselor for any one of a number of problems. Behavioral and emotional issues like addiction, depression and coping with bullying are just some of the reasons you, as a parent, should seek the help of a child counselor. Though realizing that your child has a problem and getting him to agree to get help are major steps toward a happy ending for your child, you should know that you must still play an active role not only in his healing but also in his journey through therapy.
How To Help Your Child
Therapy can be stressful and anxiety-inducing for both your child and for you. As a parent, you may not be sure what you should – and shouldn’t – be doing when it comes to helping your child progress through therapy. Here are some guidelines and information that will help:
- If you have anything to share with your child’s therapist, do it after his session rather than before, unless it directly affects that day’s session.
- Don’t prompt your child to remember to tell their therapist about specific issues as this can be stressful for the child and take his focus away from discussing what he wants to discuss.
- Don’t tell your child how to behave with his therapist. Children in therapy are usually allowed more freedom in therapy than they are elsewhere; this makes it easier for them to discuss delicate subjects more frankly.
- Remember that if your child is in therapy for a behavioral problem, his behavior may get worse before it gets better; this is a normal part of the process.
- The only way that your child can make progress in therapy is if he learns to trust his therapist to keep his confidences. You must not try to extract every bit of information that is said in therapy from him or his therapist.
- Your child’s therapist isn’t a detective digging to find out what’s wrong with your child; her job is to facilitate his healing, to resolve trauma and to allow him to freely express his feelings.
- Therapy can be hard work for your child. Don’t ask him if he “had fun” after a session or ask him if he liked his therapy. It’s best to acknowledge how hard he is working to help himself.
If your child is suffering and you think that a child counselor can help, call Insight Child & Family Counseling at (972) 426-9500. You can also visit www.j9n.83e.myftpupload.com to find out more about Child & Family Counseling.