Many parents wonder whether their child’s difficulties are considered “normal”. In our society, there is a long history of stigma against mental illness and going to therapy. Fortunately, these ideas are starting to change and people are starting to accept that these symptoms exist and require treatment. It is important to recognize mental health as a part of our physical health – we regularly take children to get check-ups at the pediatrician’s office, but we don’t often do the same thing to check on their mental health. Just like pediatricians can help us prevent certain issues by helping us with healthy eating behaviors, mental health clinicians can help children learn skills that will help them manage challenges as they grow. Mental health clinicians can also be beneficial in that they can help parents understand normal developmental milestones from those challenges that may require more support.
Even if your child is only going through expected changes throughout development, many children can still benefit from therapy which will help with strategies for managing the difficulties that come with these types of changes. Mental health problems have also increased in our youth since before the pandemic, so therapy may be helpful for more and more children.
Generally, research suggests that therapy helps in improving patients’ quality of life. It is important that children get the type or types of therapy that is used for their specific challenges. Therapy can help young children build skills that will help them deal with challenges that adult life may bring. Going to therapy can also be a helpful lesson to children that asking for help is a good thing and this can be a helpful life skill – learning to ask for help when you need it. A therapist is also another person to add to your “village” when raising a child and helping them grow. It is also vital to recognize that if you or your child do not like therapy, you can switch to a different therapist, stop therapy completely, or try a different treatment.
When finding a therapist for a child, it is important to figure out what challenges your child is going through, and if you would like the therapist to specialize in a specific area or age group. There are many other qualifications that you may consider, like how many years of experience a therapist has, whether they do family therapy or parent training, and what kind of insurance can cover their services. Pediatricians, as well as friends, and asking around your community, can also help you find what you are needing.
It is important to find a therapist that your child is comfortable with and can trust – as different personalities are compatible with different people. It is important to find a therapist that your child likes.
To conclude, if you aren’t sure whether your child needs a therapist, it can be helpful to ask their pediatrician or find a mental clinician that could evaluate your child. This clinician could help determine whether your child could benefit from therapy or if there are other tools that may be a better fit.
Ethel Dvoskin
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS
Article link:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/afraid-the-doctor/202204/does-my-child-need-therapy