child therapy provides A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR KIDS
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
- Nelson Mandela
It is an unfortunate misconception to think that children do not struggle and suffer in the same way as adults. While they may have not matured quite yet in responsibilities like going to college, starting a career, buying their first home, or dealing with marriage or divorce - kids still hurt just like adults, even very little ones.
They endure turmoil and struggle, as well as often lack the understanding of coping skills and strategies to help deal with compounding issues.
Children have common struggles like…
Learning how to better deal with aggression or other powerful emotions.
Finding ways to encounter sadness or depression for the first time.
Handling pressure dealing with school or sports, or other stressful activities.
Dealing with social anxiety and other stressful instances in school, as well as at home or with friends.
Changes in family dynamics either through a separation, divorce, or new step-father/step-mother.
Dealing with grief and loss for the first time. Perhaps even with an immediate family member, or close relative having passed.
Dealing with trauma associated with school shootings or other acts of community violence, domestic abuse, and sexual assault.
Building A Promising Future with child therapy
Parents have a massive amount of responsibility on their hands. It has never been more evident than in contemporary society where time consuming careers, long commutes, family obligations, and other commitments make spending quality time with children such a challenge.
It doesn’t mean that parents do not care (in fact quite the exact opposite), just that obligations and commitments don’t offer some of the opportunities to “get real” and to the heart of what is also bothering them.
In addition to a never ending lack of time in a day, other children may find it hard to open up to a parent or teacher due to a variety of reasons.
In these circumstances (and many others like it), considering therapy for children is a worthwhile and effective way to reach kids like never before.
A Stable Foundation That Children Understand
The day to day life of a child may not seem all that complicated yet consider what the typical one goes through in a day:
Home Life: A child may be learning to adjust to a new sibling. Or a significant other that just moved into or out of the house. Relationships for children can get very confusing, not to mention frustrating. How they learn to cope with a new marriage, separation, divorce, or addition can help them improve their own overall well-being.
School Life: Children learn a lot from school. It also firmly molds them. In addition to getting an education, children must also learn about organized discipline (outside a home) for the first time. Perhaps your child is lashing out at an authority figure? Or is struggling with making friends? Or exploring their identity for their first time? School presents a number of complicated challenges.
Personal Life: As children get older they are quickly introduced to a number of different types of relationships. These relationships can mold kids in a number of powerful ways, from that “first crush” to relentless bullying. How do they manage it all?
Children have several dynamics in their little lives, all of them introduced for the first time during the early years. It leads to a series of transitions that will help shape them into the individual they want to become as an adult.
Often one of the best approaches that families can use for external influences that are positive and rewarding is through holistic based therapy.
Holistic, somatic and play therapy for children
Sometimes children need therapy for circumstances where healing is involved. For example, in the event of an unexpected loss a child may have trouble dealing with grief and sorrow for the first time.
On other occasions holistic and somatic psychotherapy is extremely helpful in helping build social skills and coping mechanisms for major events or transitions in their life. For example, dealing with a bully at school the next time they are threatened.
Life by Design Therapy offers holistic psychotherapy in Berkeley and Richmond for people of all ages. We have no restrictions based on age, race, religion, or sex. Children are warmly welcomed and supported!
We thoroughly understand a parent's hesitation with having their child receive therapy. It is why we would like to meet you and determine how to make sure your child is getting the well-rounded support they need.
New research is exploding with the benefits of holistic based therapy, many of these principles practical and totally acceptable for children too. By connecting a young mind to its body, a loving presence, supportive relationships, and other factors we can help build them up to a healthier, more successful future.
Contact our holistic therapists that specialize in working with children for an initial consultation.
