Child Therapy at The Carpenter's House
Does your child throw tantrums or refuse to listen?
Is it difficult for your child to manage their emotions when plans change or when something doesn’t go their way? Perhaps your child has trouble listening to other adults or to you. Or maybe your child is acting out in the classroom. Are you concerned because your child has gotten in trouble at school? Does your child have difficulty doing homework? Does your child seem down or not want to participate in activities they used to enjoy? Perhaps your child is having difficulty in social situations. Has your child stopped spending time with friends? Are they getting stuck by competing often with others in school? Does your child have trouble making or keeping friends?
Many children have difficulty understanding what they are feeling or how to manage their emotions. When this happens, they often behave in problematic ways to manage what they are experiencing. For example, when feeling anxious, many children have difficulty focusing in the classroom, which can result in their grades not being as high as their potential. It might be that your child is spending a lot of time worrying. Or perhaps your child seems wired all the time or tired, exhausted, and having low energy. Whatever your child may be struggling with, it may be important for your child to learn skills to better manage their emotions and behavior at home, at school, and in social contexts. You may be experiencing a strong desire to get them the help they need. |
Many children experience these problems.
As children move through their process of development, many challenges occur. Whether or not it is noticeable or whether or not others are talking about it, many parents begin to notice changes in their child. As children have more demanding experiences, especially with the disruption of school and social life during quarantine, some children may experience emotions with more intensity and/or reactivity than others. In addition, it may take some children a long time to return to their ‘baseline’ or their ‘average’ emotional state after getting anxious, angry, or frustrated. Children learn from their previous experiences and behaviors and find ways to manage their emotions that may not be helpful longer term. In addition, during the developmental process, children often struggle with their own identity including making decisions about prioritizing parents and/or peers. Some children quickly form relationships with peers and acquire more practice using social skills or strategies, while others have more difficulty. Even with all of the wonderful resources available in our somewhat relaxed environment on the Gulf Coast and the Mobile area for kids, managing a packed extracurricular schedule, participating in a rigorous academic program, and/or having different care providers can produce some unique challenges. The abrupt lifestyle change we experienced several months ago was hard on many of us, especially children. And now as we try to integrate school once again, your child probably notices that things are not the way they were. Children always prefer regularity and familiarity (don't we all?) and when it is displaced or disrupted, some children do not adjust as well as the next child. All of these potential challenges can be tough for children and can make managing emotions and behaviors effectively very difficult. It is no surprise that given all that they are expected to manage at such early ages, children can feel stressed, anxious, tired, and have difficulties in family, social, and school situations. Our current COVID environment only exacerbates the situation. The good news is that even if your child is struggling with feeling anxious, tired, or stressed, it is possible for them to learn new skills and techniques to manage their own emotions and behaviors more effectively. A knowledgeable, experienced, and friendly therapist can help your child to work through their difficulties and become more functional in their lives. Child therapy provides your loved one with structure, techniques, and strategies to be their best.
Located in a comfortable residence style building in Mobile, The Carpenter's House provides your child with a comfortable, welcoming, and safe space to discuss their (and your) concerns and to open themselves up to new ways of learning and being. Our team is comprised of compassionate and skilled therapists with an interest and expertise in child therapy work. We offer evidence and skills-based solutions for your child’s challenges in addition to validation, acceptance, and support of where they are today. Given the importance of involving caregivers in therapy work, we will collaborate with you to learn about your child and develop a therapy treatment plan that will support your child and move them towards the change you would like to see.
Your Carpenter's House therapist will help your child identify the most challenging parts of their life; be it school stress or pressure, having a hard time paying attention, managing extra-curricular activities, social difficulties, internal distress, or relationship challenges with their caregivers. Our therapists will help your child learn more about their current experience and move them to a higher level of functioning. Specified to the needs of every client, your child will learn to better regulate their emotions, how to choose to engage in the most effective behaviors they can, and how to relax when wanted or needed. Our therapists will provide your child with skills they can use to socialize in a more productive way, and will also help them learn to identify and work towards their goals. |