Child Counseling
About
Child Counseling
Child counseling is a specialized form of individual counseling designed to meet the individual, developmental needs of youth. Like adults, children often find the idea of counseling overwhelming and threatening. It takes counselors that are specially trained to work with younger clients to put these children at ease and encourage them to talk about issues and find solutions. When child counseling is successful, it can make a profound difference in the quality of life for a child and his parents.
At Sherman Counseling, we recognize that issues requiring professional assistance are not restricted to adults. Several of our providers at Sherman Counseling have backgrounds working with children and know how assist children to express themselves so they can get the help they need. Our counselors often use play therapy techniques, which incorporate art projects, books, and therapeutic games into sessions. Play therapy doesn’t just make counseling sessions more fun; research shows these methods effectively enhance a child’s engagement in counseling and help them better process thoughts and emotions.
Parent-Child Issues
Relationships with family members play a central role in psychological development and in the ability to form relationships with others. The quality of these relationships have consequences for self-esteem and identity. The parent-child bond is extremely important. Problems that affect this bond need to be addressed and remedied as soon as possible. Conflict between parents and children is normal and developmentally appropriate at all ages. However, when conflict begins to interfere with the ability of the parent or the child to function within the family or outside of the home, counseling can help restore peace while ensuring that everyone’s needs are being met.
Parent-Child Issues Often Develop In The Following Circumstances:
- Divorce of the parents
- Physical or mental abuse
- Strong rebellion of child
- Risky or dangerous behaviors by child
When difficulties arise, help is available for the parent, child, and the family unit. The staff at Sherman Counseling knows how to work with families experiencing these types of issues. Counselors will remain neutral to ensure the voices of both the child and the parent are heard. Counselors can also help the family develop a plan or a behavioral contract that clearly defines the needs and expectations of everyone involved. The goal is never to punish the child or blame the parent, but to work together to identify the issue and find the best viable solution.
School Assistance Services
The team at Sherman Counseling understands the impact of social and emotional stressors on the learning process. We offer a wide range of school assistance services to the community, through staff members specially trained to work with youth in the school setting. Our programs currently include grief services, bullying education, and education to help students learn more about themselves as they navigate the journey toward becoming a young adult. If you are interested in learning more about these services or would be interested in working together to develop a new program to meet a need which has arisen within your school system, please contact us.
Our children are indeed our future, which is why they need to receive all the care and support necessary to blossom into compassionate, productive adults.