** During the pandemic, all counseling sessions are online; in light of that, we are not accepting new clients under the age of 18. We do apologize for the inconvenience.

Child Therapy and Counseling in Blacksburg, VA

As a parent, it’s hard to know when your child’s behavior is just a part of growing up or a red flag of a bigger issue. If you’re a new parent, you may not know what is or isn’t “normal behavior” for a child at any age. If you’re an experienced parent, you may be comparing one child to another, and some behaviors may seem to you to be worrisome. Perhaps your a friend or family member is telling you that your child’s behavior is not normal. Or maybe you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, but a friend or family member is telling you that you’re over-reacting.

Regardless, if you’re at all concerned about any behavior(s) in your child, it’s a good idea to talk to a child mental health specialist. He or she will be able to determine if there’s cause for concern, or if you simply need some tools in parenting! Talking to a therapist will confirm/identify any problems that may be present, OR alleviate your concerns and reassure you that your child is behaving appropriately for the age and developmental stage.

Some of the things a child mental health professional will look at to determine if the behaviors are problematic.

• Is the child’s behavior very intense?
• Do some behaviors continue after the situation has passed?
• Is the behavior typical for the child’s age level?
• Is the behavior upsetting to the child or other family members?
• Does the behavior interfere with the child’s friendships or school performance?
• Is the behavior inappropriate to the situation?
• Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?
• Do you or your child avoid important social, school or family activities because of the behavior?

All children are different, and even the most typical child may engage in occasional “problematic” behaviors, particularly when they are tired, stressed or sick. However, if your child repeatedly engages in inappropriate or undesirable behaviors, consider meeting with our highly trained, experienced child therapist here at Thriveworks Blacksburg.

Many of the behavioral problems or mental health symptoms that can keep children and adolescents from leading happy, successful lives can be effectively treated with evidence-based therapies. With these treatments, mental health providers can help parents and children learn how to get along better with others, and to build the skills and habits that help them succeed in school and in life.

Not all mental health therapies for young people are effective, and some treatment options do not work the same for all behavioral and mental health disorders. Our evidence-based therapies use techniques that are based on scientific evidence to understand and treat various behavioral and mental health issues in young people. These techniques offer parents and child alike, the hope of successful treatment, enabling your child to thrive.

Call 540-376-3348 today to schedule an appointment!