There is no shortage of benefits that teens and children of all ages may find when they see a counselor. Taking the proactive step to get your child lined up to speak with a professional on a regular basis can go a long way in guarding their mental health. Here are just a few of the primary reasons pointing to why counseling is so beneficial for children and teens.
Address Mental Health Issues
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated the mental health crisis in teenagers. Cases of depression and anxiety are on the rise as children work through the problems that set in when their lives were turned upside-down as a result of the virus.
A counselor can be instrumental in helping your teen deal with these feelings so that they get the help that they need. This is especially important if your child is showing signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation. Research has repeatedly shown the immense value of seeing a therapist if you are struggling with any level of mental health issue. Do not wait to get your child help if you know that they are not acting themselves lately.
Provide Outlet for Family Problems
There are a number of family issues that a therapist can help a child or teen to work through in a healthy manner. Parents going through a divorce may seek counseling for their children so that they have somebody to help process the complex emotions they may be feeling.
Even the strongest of family units may experience issues that need to be addressed by a professional that is not emotionally connected to the situation. Seeking counseling in Alpharetta, GA can help you to find your child a trusted confidante that they can use as a sounding board and to look to for navigation through these types of problems.
Deal with Ongoing or Acute Trauma
Many parents seek counseling for their children in response to acute or ongoing trauma. For example, a child may need to see a counselor after the death of a close loved one. Or perhaps it is the child that is dealing with the illness.
Other acute issues that may need to be addressed immediately include instances of bullying, a major move to a new town or school, physical or sexual abuse, or a natural disaster that has impacted their daily life. Regardless of what is causing the trauma, your child will greatly benefit by seeing a trained counselor who can help them to come up with strategies to deal with this hardship.
Help with Food and Eating Issues
Teenagers are particularly susceptible to developing eating disorders as they navigate this tricky time in life. The amount of societal pressure on kids to look a certain way can be too much for some of them to bear. Even if they do not develop full-blown eating disorders, some teens may deal with ongoing eating issues that impact their relationship with food. Eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition and various levels of mental health issues.
A trained counselor is an invaluable resource for children dealing with this problem. While this issue is most common in teen girls, any gender or age can fall victim to this problem. Do not delay in seeking help for your child if you suspect that this is a problem for them.
Tools to Beat Substance Abuse
It is not unusual for teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol. There are a number of reasons why they may lean on these crutches. However, this substance use is a slippery slope that can quickly lead to long-term health issues.
A counselor will help you to address potential substance addiction issues so that you can get to the root of the problem and treat them effectively. The sooner that these issues are addressed in a clinical setting, the more likely that your child will break the habit.
These five reasons are just a few of the triggers that may cause you to seek counseling for your child or teen. The important thing is that you take the step to get your child the help that they need so that they can live a healthy and happy life.
