Learning to cope
Anxiety is a common mental health concern among children, and it can significantly impact their daily lives. Anxiety counseling can help children manage their anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
Anxiety in children should be an expected occurrence at times in their lives. During stages of your child’s development, it is thought of as normal. A great example would be the first day of school.
Another trigger for anxiety in your child might be excessive shyness. There might be struggles to adjust to a new situation. Your child may also suffer from excessive shyness and this can become a greater issue if not addressed.
Children may not have the ability to vocalize their feelings. They don’t understand the coping skills needed to manage their feelings and reactions.
The anxiety can also manifest as irritability or anger. Your child might have trouble sleeping or always feel tired. If your child is too quiet, it could be because they worry about your reaction to the anxiety. The ability to vocalize their feelings can be difficult to do. Coping skills need development.
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Some examples of anxiety triggers in children would be:
- Constant worry, restlessness and irritability are early signs to watch for.
- Physical indicators might be headaches or stomachaches.
- Being afraid when away from parents. (separation anxiety), and throwing tantrums when it’s impending.
- Fear surrounding specific things or situations. Dogs, insects, going to the doctor would be some phobias.
- Your child might be afraid of school or other places with lots of people. (social anxiety)
- If your child has worries about the future or bad things happening.
- A family divorce, imminent or in the process, can bring on extreme worry, fear, and uncertainty. (general anxiety)
Types of Effective Therapy Treatment for Children:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Counseling for children with anxiety typically involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
In CBT, children learn coping skills, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving strategies to help them manage their anxiety.
The counselor also works with the child to identify and understand triggers that cause anxiety. Together, they develop a plan to address these triggers and reduce anxiety symptoms. The counselor may also provide education and support to parents and caregivers to help them understand how to support the child and promote their recovery.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is another approach that can be effective for children with anxiety.
When children engage in play therapy, they can express feelings that are hidden away. This assists the therapist in identifying triggers and areas to work on
Play therapy allows children to express their feelings and concerns through play and creative activities. This can help them process their emotions, develop coping skills, and improve their self-esteem.
MIndfulness and Art Therapy
Art therapy and mindfulness techniques are also commonly used in anxiety counseling for children. These approaches can help children learn to regulate their emotions and reduce stress.
Anxiety counseling can be beneficial for children with various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. The specific treatment plan and approach will vary depending on the individual child and the severity of their anxiety.
Support for Your Child
Support from family is crucial. Foster a nurturing environment at home. Encourage open communication with your child. Be patient and understanding as your child navigates their feelings. Make time for activities that promote relaxation and joy.
School support is also important. Work with teachers to accommodate the child’s needs. A supportive school environment can make a significant difference. Discuss strategies to help your child feel safe and comfortable. Work to alleviate anxiety.
It’s important to note that anxiety counseling is not a one-time fix. Regular sessions with a counselor are necessary to help the child manage their anxiety and make progress. With the right support and guidance, children with anxiety can learn to overcome their fears and lead fulfilling, confident lives.
At Pathways Counseling Services our counselors are experts working with children. They can teach children the skills necessary to cope with feelings of anxiety.
Our Child Anxiety Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions:
You may do this in three ways.
You can book online anytime
Call us at 480-613-8530
Complete this contact form.
Yes, we offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation. Please call us at 480-613-8530 to schedule a consultation or complete this contact form.
Our practice is a “Fee-For-Service” practice which means we DO NOT accept insurance. If you have an insurance provider with behavioral health coverage, they may offer “out-of-network” coverage. If you would like to use your “out-of-network” benefits, we will provide you with a superbill (receipt) monthly that you can submit to your insurance company for “out-of-network” reimbursement.
Prior to your first session, you will fill out some general information. We will you a link to complete the form(s) prior to your first session.
During the initial appointment, we will review some of your histories and we will have an opportunity to discuss the reasons you are interested in counseling and the goals you are looking to achieve from counseling.
Together during the first few sessions we will put together a treatment plan with you.
Most patients come in for weekly appointments. As you are feeling better, you can cut back on the frequency of the sessions so you have more time to practice what you are learning.
Initial sessions are 75 minutes ongoing sessions may be 45-75 minutes or longer depending on need.
Patients who work with us report improvements in a few sessions. More difficult issues may take longer. People come to therapy for different reasons but universally people don’t initiate counseling unless they are in some type of emotional pain. Our attitude is to try to make every session count.
We welcome couples, children, adolescents, teens, and individuals of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religious traditions, and lifestyles.
We will be able to work with you using a variety of tools and techniques and specialize in a variety of issues and concerns.
All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential. In those rare exceptions when the safety of a client or other is at risk disclosure of confidential client-therapist information takes place.
