The sign of your child or adolescent’s emotional distress is often evident in their behaviour.

Parents may notice an unexplained change in their child’s/teen’s behaviour – problems with mood, sleep, appetite, aggressive behaviour, social or academic functioning. Often these problems are the result of emotional distress and may interfere with a child’s development.

 

Adverse events may also cause emotional distress: the death of a family member or friend; major illness in the family; divorce; a move; abuse; trauma; or school stresses such as homework, test anxiety, bullying, or peer pressure.

 

In child psychotherapy, thinking and talking with a therapist helps children/adolescents to make sense of and understand their troubled thoughts and feelings.

 

Goals for therapy may be specific such as addressing a significant life event, changes in behaviour, improved relations with family or friends, or more general such as less anxiety or better self-esteem.

The overall goal of children’s psychotherapy is to enhance or restore your child’s emotional and social well being and capacity to learn.