By Alicia Lord, MA LPC
Though many parents we work with have had their own experiences with counseling of all kinds, therapy for children is a whole different beast. It’s very unlikely that your kiddo is going to come to you asking for resources for emotional support. It’s also very unlikely that they will show you what’s happening as an emotional challenge. So how are you supposed to know when your child needs play therapy?
Children are constantly communicating to us through their behaviors. Instead of talking through things, they will show us their pain, their challenge, and their struggles in the only ways they know how…acting out, lashing out, melting down, or any of the other number of behavioral symptoms we see on a daily basis.
Here are some behavioral signs that your child might benefit from play therapy:
Physical and verbal aggression
Tantrums and/or melt downs
Blaming
Yelling
Crying easily
Giving up
Boredom
Low self-esteem
Being bullied or bullying
Whining and complaining
Social isolation
Separation anxiety
Perseverating
Fears and phobias
Running away
Nightmares
Hyperactivity and difficulty focusing
Perfectionism
Defiance
Difficulty following directions
Some kids, however, are better at “holding it together,” and therefore may demonstrate more physical symptoms rather than behavioral symptoms. Therese physical symptoms can include:
Headaches
Neck aches
Clenching jaw or joints
Recurring head colds
Cough or runny nose that won’t go away
Overly tired or excessive sleep
Stomach aches and digestive issues
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Racing heart
These lists are by no means complete, but it’s a great place to start if you are wondering how to get your child the support they need. By decoding the message behind the physical and behavioral symptoms, we can get to the root of the problem and help your child start to express themselves in healthier ways.
If you have questions about these symptoms or want to learn more about play therapy services for your child, feel free to reach out today for your free 30-minute consultation.
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