Is Your Child Acting Out After A Change In Family Dynamic?

Does your child exhibit behavioral issues beyond those typical for their age group? Maybe they are having more tantrums than usual, or resumed having tantrums after you thought they’d grown out of them. Perhaps they refuse to go to school or follow instructions. Bedtime has become a nightly struggle, particularly if they have developed a strong fear of the dark or an increase in nightmares. They’re having more and more frequent headaches and stomachaches. You may have noticed all this started after a significant change in your family dynamic, like a divorce or loss. Now you don’t know how to get your sweet, happy child back.

You may be at your wit’s end trying to manage problem behavior. If only your child could follow instructions and enjoy some quiet time every now and then, you would have more time for self-care, and would feel like a better parent. 

Do you wish you could manage your child’s difficult behavior? Are you ready to meet with someone who can help you understand your child’s unspoken needs?

Children Often Express Unmet Needs Through Problematic Behavior

While your child’s behavior may be driving you crazy, they’re likely trying to tell you something important. Children don’t yet have the cognitive skills to express their frustration and communicate their needs clearly. Instead, they use physical behavior, like acting out. 

Fortunately, working with an experienced child therapist can help children and parents build communication skills and uncover the root of problem behavior. You can learn how to better support your child in a time of transition and interpret their behavior to determine their needs. Once they understand they had nothing to do with the separation, loss, or other shift in family dynamic, positive change can begin.

Changes are hard, no matter what your age. With therapy, you can become the parent your child needs you to be as they adjust to their new normal.

Child Therapy Can Help You And Your Child Find Relief

You may not know where to turn for help following a separation or loss in the family. You and your child are weathering unprecedented adjustments, and it’s hard to stay hopeful when nothing you’ve tried so far has delivered lasting improvements. Fortunately, I have years of experience working with families like yours. I have seen many families thrive after attending therapy, and yours can too. 

My approach to therapy is based on techniques developed by Anna Freud, daughter of Sigmund Freud. She developed a system of play therapy that allows children to bond with their therapist and communicate their feelings. To start, I provide chips for children to eat while I ask general questions about what is happening in their lives and how they are feeling. I also incorporate coloring into our sessions, which helps children express emotions they can’t put into words. This is called directive play therapy, and it’s designed to help your child understand the subconscious influences that motivate their behavior.

 Things are challenging right now, but it is not permanent: it’s a response to a sudden change or loss. It takes time to get used to change, but I have seen time and again how child therapy can help families overcome stress and fear to grow closer. With the help of an experienced therapist, your child can learn to express themselves in clearer, more productive ways so you can foster a healthier, happier family dynamic.

You May Have Some Concerns About Child Therapy…

My child’s school recommends that my child start medication for ADHD.

In some cases, medication is helpful. But, in my experience, medication is often prescribed as a “quick fix” even for children who may not have ADHD--not all behavior issues stem from mental or learning disorders! Investing in therapy can get to the root of your child’s behavior issues and discover what needs are being communicated through problem behavior. If necessary, I will inform your child’s school that the issues are being addressed by a professional. Additionally, I manage children who do have ADHD and have programs specifically for them. 

Is child therapy expensive?

I typically recommend at least six sessions to suss out the root cause of problem behavior and to learn skills to effectively correct it. Child counseling may seem like a big investment up front, but the cost of ongoing behavior disorders or problems can become much greater than a few therapy sessions. You are investing in your child’s future by seeking help early, regardless of cost. If budget is an issue, we can modify scheduling to fit your needs.

My child’s co-parent doesn’t want to come to therapy.

Remind your co-parent that therapy is for the benefit of your child, and it’s most effective when both parents are present. Encourage your child’s co-parent to give counseling a try for one or two sessions. Even if they refuse to attend, it’s still beneficial to come alone – you can tell your partner later about the skills you have learned to better communicate with your child and correct problem behavior. In time, as your partner notices positive changes, they may decide to start coming.

Help Your Child Feel Better With Child Therapy 

If you are ready to reach out to a child counselor, contact me at 334- 277-1366 for a free 15-minute consultation, to see if we are a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you.