For a number of years I have been treating children and providing guidance to parents. In many cases it will be necessary for a child with specific difficulties to receive treatment. This may take many forms including play therapy, CBT or family therapy. In some circumstance change can be made through the family unit. Specifically guiding parents towards dealing with children that are displaying difficulties can be very effective. Typically, I undertake parental guidance with the child’s primary care givers. In most cases this includes both parents and in some cases it may include extended family or even caretakers.
When is parental guidance useful?
Life change
Specifically parental guidance can be beneficial when a family is going through a significant change that will impact on the child such as divorce, death of a family member or immigration. At such times, guiding primary care givers in dealing with such life changes may reduce the level of distress otherwise experienced by the child. My work in these situations will include guidance of how to discuss with children the changes happening around them and advice on how to minimize the impact though additional supportive structures.
Dealing with behavioral difficulties
Although a child’s behavioral difficulties are often a response to a combination of factors they are always certain to have an impact on the rest of the family. In situations where a child is expressing problematic behavior guiding parents in how to deal with the complex situations that arise can help both the child and family. Guidance in such situations may include helping parents to set boundaries and deal with aggressive or antisocial behavior in an effective manner while still providing the child with a supportive and loving environment.
Dealing with fears, low self-esteem and social problems
Like adults, many children feel stressed, insecure and anxious at times. Although these feelings to a certain extent are part of normal life and growing up, in some circumstances they become elevated to an extent that they considerably impact on a child’s wellbeing, their happiness and ability to develop. In many situations it will be necessary for the child to receive individual or group therapy to deal with these difficulties. In addition to therapy, parental guidance is helpful for families dealing with such problems. Parents are taught how to relate to their child’s fears and make changes in their environment in order to support their child.