Child Counsellor
In the turbulent and ever-changing world of the 21st century, children and adolescents are constantly bombarded by social media, pop culture, school influences, and now a growing climate crisis. It is no surprise that one in seven Australian children experiences mental health issues. Half of those issues that translate into adulthood begin before the age of fourteen. For this reason, helping identify and provide your child with appropriate tools early in life is a vital part of best preparing them for the world.
What can child and adolescent counselling do?
Counselling for your child can help support them in understanding their minds and emotions better, and overall improve their emotional intelligence. This helps them self-regulate their feelings and stress to aid them to combat issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or body image issues. Providing a safe space to discuss and understand their feelings can make them more resilient and strengthen their self-identity.
How does child counselling work?
The first step of counselling for your child or adolescent is that you come into the therapist’s office and lay out the background of your concerns. This way, the therapist gains an understanding for the incentives of bringing your child to therapy and any additional pieces of your child situation. Often, children and adolescents can be reluctant to talk to strangers, so the beginning sessions with a therapist will focus on building rapport and showcasing a safe and nurturing environment. Each child is unique and will require a personalised approach, which is something that Voxen Gold Coast Counselling strongly believes and focuses on.
What are some common reasons your child might need a counselling?
Counselling can help your child work through the biggest of life’s problems including grief, trauma, or relationship issues. A counsellor, however, can also tackle learning difficulties and aid children suffering from ADHD, difficult behaviour, or ones struggling to develop healthy social skills. Once a child reaches adolescents, depression, anxiety, and stress start appearing which are better tackled with a set of skills laid out by a licensed therapist. If your child has suffered a severe injury or illness, they may also benefit from regular conversations with a neutral party outside of their family.
Does Divorce or Other Big Changes Affect my Child?
Apart from the normal scrapes and sores from the playground, puberty and growing up, occurrences such as divorce, moving schools, or the death of a family member can all be catalysts in your child’s unhappiness. Counselling sessions will help identify the causes and provide your child with the opportunity to openly communicate about their concerns and aid their understanding of the situation. Identifying concerns and troubled behaviour early can benefit both parents and the child to steer clear of paths including self-harm, substance abuse, bullying, or isolation.
The right counsellor for your child
When trying to find the right counsellor for your child, it is important to meet their needs and find someone they are comfortable with. Some children may be averse to trying therapy, so easing them in slowly and listening to their needs is key.
