See Below: TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Support Services for Children
When my grandchildren moved in with my husband and me we knew they had experienced years of trauma throughout their young lives.
Both of them were extremely timid about talking about their experiences, but the damage from their trauma was quite evident.
My granddaughter’s fears and worries were obvious. And both grandchildren were showing visible signs of anxiety. Therefore, finding support services for children was critical for them, as well as for us.
Therapy for Children
Finding supportive therapy and support services for children is extremely important. Understanding children’s mental health challenges are vital for sustaining healthy relationships, both at home and in school.
Generally, if you are raising grandchildren there is a reason why. Regardless of the reason, your grandchildren may be experiencing trauma, grief or loneliness.
However, all children’s experiences are different, therefore, any child may struggle with mental health concerns. It’s necessary to pay attention to behaviors and warning signs.
For a variety of reasons, children may feel a sense of abandonment or rejection. Regardless of the circumstances, children should not bear the burden of such strong and overwhelming emotions without support. It is important to recognize these feelings and address them with a mental health professional.
Benefits of Therapy; Grandparent, Parent, and Child Relationships
As a parent or a grandparent, it is necessary to give our children space to voice their concerns and frustrations, without criticizing their parent or parents. Also, it is extremely important to protect children’s emotional relationship with their parent or parents.
Regardless of the situation, children love their parents. Although a parent or grandparent may be distanced or estranged from a parent, their children may want to have a loving relationship with them when possible.
As a grandparent, it is important to remember their parent is your child. Either maternal or paternal, our child is their parent. Conditions are different now, but they are still our child. No matter how hard the relationship has become, we love our children because they are always part of who we are.
For various reasons our child, their parent, is unable to care for their child. However, as grandparents we have stepped up to raise our grandchildren. If you are raising your grandchild, you know it is not an easy task, but it’s an extremely important one.
Supportive Guidance
Finding Support Services for Children, Parents, and Grandparents
Please know, therapy for children and grandparents, as well as help mental health guidance, is available for you. To find mental health care and obtain support services for children or grandchildren, contact their medical doctor and/or their insurance company.
Therapists are available for all children. Once a mental health professional is found, be sure to allow your children or grandchildren an opportunity to talk to a therapist, as openly as possible.
Typically, parents and grandparents are not included in therapy appointments. Parents or grandparents, may check in with the therapists in the beginning of the session. But, after checking in, you should leave the therapist and the child alone to discuss any topic they choose.
Children’s therapists are trained to make kids feel comfortable and allow them the freedom to open up. The discussion between the child and the therapist should be private and confidential. The age of the child will determine how involved you may be in the sessions.
How to Follow Up on Support Services for Children Outside of Therapy
It’s important to keep in mind that as a parent or grandparent, you are part of a team. And, as a team, your therapist who is working with your child or grandchild, can and should discuss your child’s progress in therapy.
Additionally, as a parent or grandparent, it is perfectly valid to determine therapeutic information such as instructions, plans, directions, practicing, etc.
Since your child or grandchild is only in therapy once or twice a week….or perhaps even every other week, it’s important you and your child understand what they should be mindful of during the time they are not in therapy.
What should their goals be? What areas should they be working on? These are all questions you as a parent or grandparent can discuss with your child’s therapist.
Remember, the goal for all therapy is to achieve successful support services for children, including your child or grandchild.
Options for Children, Parents & Grandparents; Support Services for Children
From my experience, my grandchildren started therapy on a weekly basis at ages 9 & 13. I joined the session for the first 10-15 minutes, discussed any pertinent issues, then allowed the therapist the remaining time to work with my grandchild alone.
“Working” with the child includes toys, games, drawing and talk. Outcomes from therapy may not be immediately noticed or understood.
It is important to continue sessions to allow children an opportunity to discuss their emotions, anxieties and feelings with a neutral person. Therapy can be an unseen advancement in your grandchild’s personal & emotional growth and extremely beneficial for everyone.
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Types of Child Therapy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites that 1 in 5 children in the United States has some type of developmental, behavioral, or mental diagnosis.
Additionally, the CDC states there is a large number of children diagnosed with behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders who are seeking support services for children.
While there are various alternatives therapies for children and adults, the most common types of child therapy include:
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy focuses on ways to change and/or adjust behaviors and issues in a specific area that causes distress.
Behavioral therapy addresses areas that may cause anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, emotional difficulties, fears and phobias, oppositional and defiant disorders, ADHD and more.
Therapy and treatment include relaxation exercises, breathing patterns, and in some cases exposure.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy usually is used as a temporary treatment to address an issue or a direct problem.
The treatment in cognitive behavioral therapy is to identify feelings and concerns you are dealing with in your daily life that affects your mental health and/or physical well-being.
Openly discussing negative and internal thought patterns with a therapist is a common approach in cognitive behavioral therapy. This may include examining past issues and various events in your life to determine the most productive avenue to move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used for anxiety, fears, phobias, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and other mood disorders.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a long-term method for mental health treatment. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist will delve into past relationships, both personally and with your family.
Psychodynamic therapy will include examining your unconscious mind and making connections between your actions and your thought patterns.
Often psychodynamic therapy will continue for many years, with treatment showing improvement in areas of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and many other disorders.
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy addresses your views of the world at large and how it affects you personally. Humanistic therapists provide support for you to live your best life.
The therapist will listen to your approach regarding your concerns and issues and will help guide you positively toward your most fulling outcome.
Humanistic therapy is person-centered therapy to determine how to accept criticism or emotional upset from others.
This type of therapy can be used for self-esteem issues, effects from trauma, relationship problems, feelings of worthlessness, and other disorder.
To learn what triggers you grandkids see GRANDPARENTS UNDERSTANDING FEAR AND ANXIETY IN CHILDREN.
This post is about understanding Support Services for Children
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TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
- Therapists &/or Counselors can be referred by your child or grandchild’s doctor or insurance provider.
- Therapy is a beneficial outlet for your child or grandchild to discuss their inner most feelings & fears.
- Allow your grandchild or child privacy during therapy sessions. Parents or grandparents should join sessions for the first few minutes or the last few minutes to check in with the therapist or counselor.
- Encourage your child or grandchild to express themselves openly during the time with the therapist or counselor. Children often carry heavy burdens and opening up to a professional can be very rewarding to express their emotions.
- Do not shame or embarrass your child or grandchild about therapy. It is vitally important for children to work on and maintain their mental health. Mental Health issues are a leading cause of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Supporting your grandchild or child’s and your own mental health is important for all families.
For more information looking for mental health support for children or adults check out Talkspace.
