Child therapy
What is child therapy?
Many children need help coping with school stress, exams, bullying or social pressure. Others need to express what they feel about important changes in the family, such as a separation, a move or an illness.
Child therapy is very different from therapy with adults. Children tend to express their worries symbolically rather than verbally, and family dynamics are often reflected in their behaviour. That is why including sessions with the family is essential.
Play, art and family
Should my child see a therapist?
Events such as the death of a relative, friend or pet, a divorce, a move, a trauma or an illness in the family can cause emotional or behavioural problems, or difficulties with sleep, appetite or schoolwork.
Sometimes it is not clear why a child seems withdrawn, worried, angry or sad. If you sense that your child needs help, we advise you to trust your instinct.
When therapy can help
- Delays in language development
- Attention deficit
- Behavioural problems, excessive anger or bedwetting
- A noticeable drop in school performance
- Episodes of sadness, crying or depression
- Social isolation or withdrawal
- Bullying, as the target or the perpetrator
- Aggressive behaviour
- Sudden changes in appetite
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
- Frequent or sudden mood swings
- Physical pain with no medical cause
- Serious, acute or chronic illness
- Alcohol or other substance use
- Transitions such as separations, moves or changes of school
- Grief
- Custody assessments
- Abuse or other traumatic events