Child Therapy in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Child and Adolescent Counseling

Children, like adults, can benefit from counseling. It can help children and adolescents learn how to identify the causes of their distress, develop skills in seeking help, express emotions and improve upon their problem-solving abilities. Common stressors for children include school—excessive or difficult homework, test anxiety, peer pressure, bullying and learning difficulties. Family issues may include parents arguing, divorce, moving to a new home, welcoming a new sibling to the family, death and a major illness.

It can be difficult during the different stages of childhood and adolescence to know if your child is behaving normally or if there is a problem. If you notice a change in your child’s behavior, such as inattention, arguing or withdrawing, or emotionally like depression, anger, worry or stress, they may need help. Therapy is customized to meet the needs of the child and the family with the goal of the program to alleviate symptoms of distress, improve the child’s social and emotional resources, increase their use of effective communication skills and make the relationships in the family and community, as well as with peers, stronger.

If you or another person that knows your child (teacher, coach, school counselor) feels that your child is displaying behavior that has become concerning or dealing with emotions that are causing distractions in their life, it may be time to talk to a therapist, psychologist, or counselor at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA (Franconia).

Scenarios for Seeking Child and Adolescent Therapy

There are times when it is a good idea to get your child help for mental health issues without waiting. With eating disorders, the longer a child lives with one the harder it is to recover. Getting treatment as quickly as possible can save a child’s life. If mental illness runs in the family, be aware of the increased possibility that your child may begin to develop a disorder. If you feel that your child is showing signs of a disorder, it’s important to act promptly. If you discover that your child has been hurting himself—even if they say it was only a one-time thing—it is vital to get help. Cutting is dangerous behavior that may be the child’s way of dealing with a serious mental health issue.

Some life events can cause changes to a child’s functioning in the process of adjustment. When parents divorce, a new sibling is introduced into the family or there is a change of schools, these situations can have troubling effects on a child’s behavior. It is wise to monitor your child’s behaviors that are a concern. It is a good idea to seek the help of a therapist when you are unsure, especially if the behaviors or feelings are ongoing for weeks or months.

1) Conflict between a teen and her mother. Priscilla is 15, and her mother is 39. They began family therapy together after the communication between them reached a breaking point. They fight on a daily basis, and Priscilla often refuses to listen to her mother. Sometimes she walks out of the room or leaves the house in the middle of conversations. Priscilla’s mother harps on her about doing her chores and homework, as well as her choice in friends. Her mother also expresses that she misses spending time with Priscilla. While in therapy, Priscilla says she would like her mother to stop harping on her.

The therapist provides the two with education regarding Priscilla’s stage of psychological development and gives her healthy communication strategies to use. With the assistance of the therapist, the mother and daughter outline rules for communication and negotiation. They both speak, actively listen and learn new ways of relating to each other, and their relationship becomes less stressful.

2) Mason is nine years old and runs away from his home each afternoon. His parents intervene by having him talk with police officers, his priest and teachers at school about the many dangers of running away. But, his behavior does not change. When Mason’s parents make an appointment to meet with a child therapist, the counselor gets the family history and finds that Mason’s mother works throughout the day, his father works overnight shifts and his three brothers spend much of their time away from home.

In follow-up sessions with Mason, the therapist find that he feels as if nobody pays any attention to him. When he runs away, his parents and other adults stop everything in order to search for him. He becomes the focus of everyone’s attention. The therapist explains to his parents that Mason learned that running away is an effective way to get the attention he craves. Through counseling, he and his parents develop a stronger relationship, and Mason is able to receive the attention he desires in safer, healthier ways. He no longer runs away.

Child/Adolescent Therapy Techniques

The therapists, psychologists, and counselors at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA are professionally licensed and have credentials. They work with children and their families to help with numerous behavioral and emotional issues that prevent them from enjoying a happy family life. The therapists and counselors work with the child to find the areas in their life that are causing them distress and help them learn ways to positively deal with it. Child and adolescent therapists use techniques that include art, narrative, traditional talk, play therapy and more.

Child Therapy in Alexandria, VA (Franconia) for Professional Child and Adolescent Therapy

At Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA (Franconia) therapists and counselors work with children and adolescents who have emotional or behavioral problems. The earlier they get treatment, the easier it is to help them. When you are concerned about your child’s mental health, you want to ensure you choose Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA where the therapists will focus on the child’s issues, from abuse and other traumas to learning difficulties to adjusting to transitions in life.

Schedule a session with Thriveworks Alexandria, VA for child and adolescent therapy and counseling, where you won’t be placed on a waiting list. Appointments are available in 24 hours for most new clients.