Could a Child Therapist be the Right Choice for My Family?
The global COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the mental health of people all over the world. The collective trauma we’ve experienced after so many losses and changes has increased the need for mental health care. People everywhere are seeking support for their mental health and searching for the right therapist to help them cope. But what about children?
The same grief, anxiety, and sadness that adults have faced during the pandemic affects children, as well, and they are often the most vulnerable among us. Additionally, children may have lost the stability, peer interaction, safety, and connection to resources that attending school in person provided pre-pandemic. For these reasons, mental health needs in children are currently soaring. Typical mental health concerns that are showing up in children include symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms of depression in children:
Eating much more or much less than usual
Sleeping more than usual
More instances of crying or tears
Trouble focusing
Feeling more tired or less energized than normal
More “acting out” behaviors, like hitting or tantrums
No longer connecting with peers at school
Feeling bad about themselves
Sharing thoughts of not wanting to be alive
In teens: decreased self-care, irritability, loss of interest in planning for the future, more anger outbursts, drug/alcohol use
Signs and symptoms of anxiety in children:
Expressing significant worries
Complaining of stomach aches without another medical cause
Physical shaking or jitteriness
Engaging in repetitive behaviors that seem excessive
Being very hard on themselves
Not wanting to leave parents/primary caregivers
Anger, defiance, tantrums before or after certain events/situations
Having pronounced fears about various things
Appearing to have trouble concentrating
In teens: Refusal to attend school, excessive preparation for certain events/situations, drug/alcohol use
Therapy can be an effective way of addressing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in children. Child therapy for younger ages often focuses on play, movement, and building a warm and trusting relationship with the child. Child therapy with pre-teens or adolescents will also focus on a trusting relationship, but may also utilize some talk therapy strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an evidence-based talk therapy that is often used to treat depression and anxiety in children. Family therapy can also be an effective choice for addressing mental health concerns in children of all ages due to the connection between a child’s mental health and their family dynamics.
Therapy with Canopy MHC can help support your child and your family during this difficult time. Contact us to find out how we can help.