How to Tell If Your Child Would Benefit from Counseling
Years into a high-stress, socially disruptive global pandemic, you as a parent may be facing higher than normal levels of depression and anxiety – for both yourselves and your families.
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 – even before the onset of the pandemic – children and teens viewed depression and anxiety as a part of their everyday life and the lives of their peers. When asked, 7 out of 10 U.S. survey respondents aged 13 to 17 named anxiety and depression a major problem among people their age in the community where they live. For survey respondents, this was second only to bullying and substance abuse.
It’s no question that children and their families are facing more than the average pressures of growing up. With two years of reduced socialization and disrupted education during the COVID-19 pandemic, more pervasive violence in their schools and in their communities at large, and unprecedented stress as they begin to understand and experience the effects of climate change… children and families like yours are discovering the possible need for additional resources and support.
Caring for your child during this time in their lives – and this time in our country’s history – can feel incredibly stressful and overwhelming. But the process of searching for, evaluating, and selecting additional resources can feel just as stressful and overwhelming. How can you know what resources are available? How can you find options that are the right fit for you and your family?
Maybe you already have questions about your options, like:
Does my child need counseling?
How can I know for sure?
And am I ready to take this on?
We work with many families who have gone through this same process, so we completely understand how overwhelming it can feel. That’s why we’re answering some of the top questions we hear from parents and families when determining whether a child could benefit from counseling. We hope this information and perspective can also help you and your family as you make this crucial decision.
Does my child need counseling?
Maybe your child has recently had uncharacteristic disciplinary issues at school, or you’ve noticed a shift in their behavior or their mood over time. It’s also possible that as a result of their behavior, they’re now facing possible consequences like removal from school or another setting critical to their growth and development. These are fairly common situations for parents and families who may be unfamiliar with therapy and unsure whether their child could benefit from it.
How can I know for sure?
Every family and situation is different, but we recommend that parents and guardians consider seeking out a child and family therapist before things progress too far. If you notice changes in your child’s behavior or their mood, talk to the people in your and their life who you trust to help you.
Consider the social networks you and your family belong to – not just school, but communities like an after-school sports team, your family’s place of worship, or even extended family. Talk to your child’s teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, or anyone who might be able to provide additional information about your child’s behavior to help shape your decision. We recognize it can be a difficult decision to seek additional resources, but know you aren’t alone – and that many parents and families have been where you are now. How your child functions in these other spaces, and how it may change over an extended period of time, can be a good indicator of your needing additional support.
And am I ready to take this on?
Probably the most difficult question of all – is your family ready for this? We think so. We know that starting therapy, for yourself or your family, can feel a lot like looking up the side of a mountain and wondering when, if ever, you’ll reach the top.
In reality, for a lot of families, therapy is more like taking a long, winding walk through the course of your lives and with each other. We think therapy can be quiet, providing space to pause and reflect, then loud and full of life – and a place where you and your children and family can go to express yourselves outside of everyday work, school, and life events. We think it can be a great next step, and we will be here to help – so it feels less like something to “take on” and more like something we can accomplish together.
