She is too young to help herself or understand.
Brooke* continues to get in trouble at home and school, and she can’t identify or explain her behaviors.
She hit her friend and ripped apart the teacher’s papers – maybe she was angry or scared. She knows she feels something inside of her and reacts by doing what she does, but no one listens or understands. And the worst part is that she doesn’t understand herself. She doesn’t know why!
Brooke knows it gets her in trouble. Her parents get called from the school, and some days, they must pick her up early. But her parents are also at a loss.
Her parents and teachers keep asking her, “Why did you do that?” She doesn’t have the answers, but she tries to come up with reasons for something to say, but ultimately, her explanations don’t make sense.
She knows her parents want to understand, and they want her to tell them, but she can’t. She doesn’t know how to explain the feelings inside of her – the scared, anxious little girl with no voice or the right words to describe.
It can’t get worse – or can it?
Brooke’s parents are getting more worried about her behaviors and future and don’t know what to do.
They worry about her struggling in school at such a young age. What will it look like for the rest of her school years? Is she constantly going to be in trouble or getting sent home, or worse, kicked out?
Her parents try everything they can, but nothing seems to help, and they can’t understand. They are becoming increasingly frustrated at home when she doesn’t listen or act out.
They can’t imagine things getting any worse than they already are, but they certainly know things won’t get better without help.
It’s time for help.
Brooke’s parents decide to seek help for their daughter.
In therapy, Brooke will learn to understand her feelings inside, her BIG emotions, and how she can handle them in a better way. She will know what feels good to her rather than act out at school or home and get in trouble.
Brooke will find her voice and the words to explain her feelings and tell her teacher when she feels scared or hurt.
Brooke will gain the tools to handle these feelings and have a decrease in her negative behaviors.
Individual therapy for children can create understanding.
Therapy for children offers a way to educate kids on what is going on inside their bodies. They can learn to understand what those feelings and sensations mean. It will give them the tools to understand what it means when their chest hurts, their stomach flips, or they have butterflies.
Therapy will also give them tools to be more mindful and have healthy ways to work through their feelings. During therapy, we will also explore any past storylines that may be affecting each child day to day or triggering their behaviors.
In working with children, I can meet them in the office, at home, or at their school, depending on their needs. We also may start at one location and move to the next if they continue to struggle at one place more than others. I also engage parents in therapy to better work with their child or children to overcome challenges and assist them through their emotions.
You can help your child gain understanding and learn to handle their feelings. I am here to help with that process.
*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.