Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch
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By: Margie Frisco MA, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton MA, LPC-S A child might need therapy. Why will therapy help the child? What are the benefits of treatment versus letting the child figure it out? Here we will discuss the why. Kids can benefit from therapy in so many ways. They can learn about […]
A child might need therapy. Why will therapy help the child? What are the benefits of treatment versus letting the child figure it out? Here we will discuss the why.
Kids can benefit from therapy in so many ways. They can learn about emotions, what they are, how to recognize them, and what to do with them. Furthermore, they can learn to maintain relationships and advocate for themselves early. Therapy is a safe space for your child to explore their emotions healthily. Many of us parents wish we could have had more practice at those before we got to the real world.
Children can learn new things every day! Children learn mainly by what they see. So since emotions are not something we can see sometimes, they can be hard to understand.
When learning emotions, therapy helps understand that emotions can look different in different people. For example, some cry when they are sad while others do not talk. Anger is another emotion that can look so different for each person. Some yell, while others shut down. Giving your child the tools to better recognize emotions in others can be extremely helpful in their development.
Therapy also teaches children what an emotion feels like in our bodies. For instance, does the emotion give us a headache or a funny feeling in our tummy? Once we recognize the feeling, therapy helps children decide what to do with their feelings. At the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer printable options to help your child learn healthy ways to handle their emotions.
Therapy can help teach children to express their feelings healthily. Healthy feelings expression means we review why holding onto the emotion can be hurtful. Also, we talk about what could stop them from communicating how they feel. It can be scary, even for adults, to say how we feel. Defining why we have difficulty speaking up can help address how to make it easier.
We teach them through games and even practicing how to describe how we feel. Some parents might remember a saying, “It is not what you say. It is how you say it.” We practice what to say, how to say it, and even body language. Practicing what to say can help the child be more open about their feelings and needs.
For some children, making new friends or keeping friendships can be tricky. We discuss what stops the child from talking to new people in therapy. We address those reasons and thought processes to help them see past the barrier.
Furthermore, we talk about what makes a friend a good friend and what makes a not-so-good friend a not-so-good friend. Letting the child decide if they want to keep a friend or if they want to find a new friend can be empowering!
If you want more help with your child, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy, Texas, follow these three steps:
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. Please reach out to the Counseling Center today to learn more about our therapists and counseling services!
By: Julie Sekachev, M.Ed, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships. Become Aware of Your Emotions. The first step to […]
Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships.
The first step to regulating our emotional state is to become aware of what we are feeling. Become aware of your emotions by labeling them. If you have a hard time identifying what you are feeling at the moment, try using a feeling wheel, you can use the one here: https://feelingswheel.com/
When you label what you are experiencing, you will gain more clarity and control over your emotions. Labeling emotions also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. If you have a hard time identifying your feelings- start with the body. What sensations are coming up for you? Tightness in the chest? Feeling hot, trembling hands, a sad sinking feeling? Jot down these sensations. You can use the “Thought Diary” app to help you keep track of your emotional state.
Resist the urge to react to your triggers. Mindfulness is the most powerful step. The moment we are aware of our emotional state, we are not yet ready to decide the next move because our bodies are activated. If you notice a trigger, do not react right away. A trigger is something that happened just before you had an intense emotional reaction. For example, this could be an email, text,or something someone says to you. A pause could mean taking an hour to identify what you are feeling and why, or it could take several hours or even a day to feel calm before you determine your next move. Remember, strong emotions and impulses are just feelings that will pass and do not need to be acted upon immediately.
Try not to rely on your partner or others for this step. Practice regulating your own emotions through:
When we react to our triggers, it feels automatic and unplanned. When we react, we operate based on our sensations, thoughts, or feelings that we may not have acknowledged. Responding, however, requires careful thought, reflection, and choice.
Ask yourself:
For example, let’s say your significant other cancels your date last minute. An automatic reaction may be, “I can’t believe you would do this, I cleared out my plans, and you’re just canceling last minute?! We are done!” Another more passive automatic reaction could be, “No worries, it’s ok, let me know when you will be free!” Both reactions do not consider your needs or the other person’s needs and may end a relationship. A more thoughtful response could be: “things happen, I understand, I feel disappointed, I wanted to see you. I would appreciate a little more heads-up in the future to schedule something else if need be. Let me know when you are free next so we can reschedule.”
We provide couples counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin couples counseling in Katy, TX, follow these three steps:
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!
By: Margie Frisco, Life Coach Being a parent can be one of the hardest jobs in life. It can feel overwhelming to raise kids, with the pressure of allowing your children to have their feelings but still be in “control” of your own household. For many parents, the goal of parenting is to raise a […]
Being a parent can be one of the hardest jobs in life. It can feel overwhelming to raise kids, with the pressure of allowing your children to have their feelings but still be in “control” of your own household. For many parents, the goal of parenting is to raise a child that can be self-sufficient in adulthood.
Establish Clear Boundaries:As a parent, we get to choose what the rules are, how to enforce them, and how to react if the rules are not kept. With that being said, children are not mind readers. Here are a few ways to ensure that the rules are clearly defined and understood by the child. First, you can have them repeat back what the rules and consequences (positive and negative) are. Another way to help children comply with the rules, or boundaries is to have them help create the rules and boundaries. This can be particularly effective for grade school and middle school kids. Also, as a reminder, having the rules listed so if the child forgets or needs a reminder, they are visible.
As parents it is important to openly listen to our children. Listening and validating your child’s feelings and emotions will allow them to practice this specific communication technique that will benefit them in future relationships with partners, in their future workspace, and in their social life. This allows your child to practice effectively communicating how they feel in a healthy way, also indicating to them when a relationship is unhealthy and unproductive for them. They will gain confidence and be able to speak up for themselves and to again be a self-sufficient adult, even when others are not treating them well.
To address punishment, keep in mind everyone can have a different definition of punishment, whether that looks like taking something away, grounding, or additional chores. Make sure that the punishment is fitting for the initial rule that was broken. For example, if we are just starting out with a new rule, your child might need some grace in remembering the new rule. Or if a child forgets to do a chore for the hundredth time, maybe a little more than just reminding. Remember parents how we felt when we had major punishments as a child? Did it make you feel that you could come to your parents and talk openly?
Rewards or incentives for good behavior can also deter poor behavior. Utilizing a reward system also can prepare your child for a more real world experience. For example, if a child does their chores they can be rewarded with a family game night where they can choose the game or allowing them to choose what is made for dinner one night. The reward doesn’t have to be money. The basic option of allowing a child to make a decision and choose to reach a goal sets them up with the same systems that they can use in adulthood.
If you are ready to improve your parenting skills, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin parenting counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including: counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to regularly post blogs. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!