Why Put Kids in Therapy?
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 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.
Why Therapy Helps Kids Learn About Emotions
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.
Why Therapy Helps Kids Express 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.
Why Therapy Helps Kids Learn About Friendships
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!
Begin Child Counseling at Our Center in Katy, TX!
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:
- Contact our office to set up an appointment or to get more information on therapy for children.
- Meet with one of our understanding therapists
- Find other ways to help your child gain confidence with treatment today!
Other Therapy Services We Offer:
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!