5 Signs Your Child May Need Children’s Therapy- A Guide for Questioning Parents

If your child is going through behavioural or emotional changes and you're not sure what's normal or what might warrant professional help, we've got you covered! Many parents feel overwhelmed and unsure how to help their child when in the trenches of parenthood. In this article, we will review 5 common signs that your child may benefit from therapy so that you can be better equipped to support their mental health.

5 Signs Your Child May Need Children's Therapy

Growing up can be quite difficult for both children and parents as this ever-changing period, although immensely rewarding, can be very confusing and even frustrating. As children continue to learn and develop their ability to face adversity more independently, they often aren’t yet equipped to do it alone without the tools to help themselves and parents to guide them.

It can also be challenging as parents to know what exactly your child is going through and how you can best support them. But don't worry - you are not a bad parent if you are unsure what to do and you are definitely not alone!

If you’re hoping to gain insight into recognizing potential mental health concerns in your child then keep reading as we explore some common emotional and behavioural signs that your child may need therapy.

1. Behavioural changes

Firstly, and more obviously, you can take note of your child’s behaviour just as you would any other adult or person. Noticing if they have become more withdrawn from their social supports such as you, family, or close friends and if they have lost interest in activities that they used to enjoy.

As well if your child experiences sudden and/or severe mood or personality changes such as becoming extremely aggressive, irritable, sad or anxious. Another common sign to look out for is if your child is coming to you about headaches, stomach pain or other physical discomfort particularly associated with school or social events, as this may be related to stress or emotions arising in the body that they are not yet able to identify.  

2. Persistent emotional overwhelm 

Secondly, keep an eye out for when your child’s emotional reactions are disproportionately large, overwhelming and potentially unmanageable. This may be cause for concern if your child’s sadness, anxiety, or fear is frequent, excessive or causes them to withdraw from certain situations. Children naturally have moments of big emotions; however, if these reactions are common occurrences they can impact critical parts of your child’s life such as school, forming relationships, and could potentially lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

3. Struggling across multiple areas

Thirdly, school naturally can be a challenging area in children’s lives as they learn and develop, but it may be wise to consider therapy if your child’s grades have noticeably declined, or if they have extreme difficulty concentrating and completing tasks, and if they frequently complain and are very distressed by school.

Academic struggles can come from a variety of areas whether learning disabilities, social challenges, stress or more. With a therapist, you can help discover the cause of these difficulties and provide problem-solving skills to help your child build the resilience to succeed. Additionally, if you notice your child struggling to thrive across various environments in their life such as at home, school, sports activities, or socially this may indicate there could be something going on and is not just an isolated behavioural issue.

4. Changes in routine and habits 

Next, you can observe your child’s patterns, especially their sleeping and eating habits. This may be one of the easier components of your child’s well-being to point out as they likely have a routine they already follow. Watch if your child deviates from this routine such as having abnormal changes in appetite, problems sleeping or excessive sleeping and significant fluctuations in weight (loss or gain). These habits can correlate to mental health concerns or point to a possible disorder.

5. Child’s self-perception and social relationships 

A key aspect of childhood is the development of self, and particularly the social relationship with peers which are essential for a child’s emotional well-being. If your child is exhibiting a lack of interest in social activities and struggles with friendships, communication, or social cues, a therapist can be beneficial here.

A crucial aspect of childhood is developing self-confidence and self-esteem. If you observe your child’s saying or feeling less confident and lacking in self-belief especially if it becomes more intense or frequent, this is cause for concern. More severely if your child is very socially isolated, and talks about harming themselves or others, this is a clear sign to seek professional help.

Why is it important to consider child therapy? 

In a nutshell, it is important to consider children's therapy because it can help your child develop and strengthen the necessary skills they will need to learn how to adaptively cope with various challenges and lessons throughout their childhood.

Seeking mental health treatment historically has been stigmatized as being due to a ‘failure’ or ‘inadequacy’ in your child or you as a parent but this is false! Therapy is a tool to help support and build skills to navigate life's challenges - which readily present themselves in childhood. Therapy also teaches your child that they can ask for and receive help from others and that they do not have to face challenges alone. Asking for help takes strength and vulnerability which are lessons even adults can benefit from! 

The Core Message 

Growing up is a series of major adjustments bringing new challenges for both you and your child, but you shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. Childhood is not an easy period of life and you as a parent are not failing if you are struggling to understand what is happening and what to do next. By having a basic understanding of what signs your child may be communicating about their mental health, you can feel more confident in identifying what signs may warrant seeking additional support.

It is key to give yourself grace and recognize that there are resources to support you in guiding your child through this time. It does not all have to fall on you as the parent, and trusting your gut if you may be worried about your child and gathering this information is a great first step. With the help of a professional therapist, can help you identify the root cause and present coping strategies for your child to overcome their challenges and grow into their best self.

If these signs have been familiar to you in your child, our team of Child and Family therapists at Inner Growth in Barrie are here to assist you! Offering virtual and in-person therapy services for children and families, we help address mental health concerns and work through solutions with you. Contact us for more information or to book your free 15-minute consultation!

Our team of online and in-person counsellors and psychotherapists in Barrie provide quality and effective mental health counselling services in Barrie and virtually across Ontario to individuals (6+), couples and families. We also offer an Affordable Therapy Program that provides counselling services in Barrie to individuals (12+) who are facing financial challenges that need mental health support.