There are several reasons your family might need to start child-parent psychotherapy, and this guide will help you navigate the signs.
signs your child should see a Psychotherapy
The parent-child relationship is one of the most beautiful yet complex bonds humans can have. The responsibility a parent has to raise a child well can at times feel like a heavy crown. But if you are a parent, take it from us: you are not fighting a losing battle!
Raising children is an art, and just like any art, having the right tools is a vital part of the craft. Child-parent psychotherapy can help you and your child obtain the right emotional tools to overcome common challenges. If you would like to know 5 signs that therapy is right for your family, keep reading.
1. Resentment Towards Other Family Members
Sharing responsibilities within the family is a sensitive subject. If one parent is working outside of the house while the other takes care of the majority of the parenting tasks, rifts can quickly begin to grow.
Poor communication about household responsibilities can sadly develop into resentment. At times these feelings can even be directed toward the child. If you notice that something similar to this is happening within your home, family counseling can help restore balance.
2. You’re Struggling to Understand Your Child’s Behavior
A drastic shift in a child’s behavior could be an indication of a disorder or disability. Are their eating or sleeping patterns unhealthy? Do they refuse to communicate or are having mood swings that are causing you to worry? You’re not alone in trying to find the answer to these questions.
3. You’re Struggling to Understand Yourself
At times, conflicts within the family can be caused by unresolved psychological issues that span years into the past. If you find that you or your partner are having issues that are affecting your ability to raise your child, it might be worth opening up about it to a therapist.
At times resolving some childhood trauma can liberate you as an adult. But the opposite is also true: not dealing with certain behaviors you or your partner are displaying can have a knock-on effect on the development of your child.
4. You Feel You Have Nobody to Talk To
Depending on who’s around you, sharing your feelings may be a challenge. For example, the generational gap between you and your parents may make it a challenge to relate to certain issues. Perhaps you’re a single parent and need to talk about sensitive topics that only single parents understand. Or you are the only person in your social circle with a child with a particular type of disability—the list is endless!
The point is, having someone to speak to is vital for the mental health of a parent. Having a professional confidant can give you the support you need.
5. You Just Want to Be a Better Parent
The common perception with different types of psychotherapy is that something has to be “wrong” for someone to need it. This couldn’t be further from the truth! You don’t need to be depressed or have depressed children to benefit from a little therapy.
Psychotherapy can be a way to enhance your potential as a parent. So, if you want to learn how to be more in control of your emotions and a better communicator, why not speak to a therapist about how to improve in these areas.
Is Child-Parent Psychotherapy for You?
As you’ve seen, there are many ways that child-parent psychotherapy can help your family. Just as you are on the lookout to protect yourself and your child from physical dangers, it’s also your responsibility to protect yourselves from mental and emotional ones.
So, don’t delay in getting in contact with me. I want to help you obtain the tools in making your family a masterpiece.
