Behavioral issues counseling can benefit your child’s mental health, especially if you seek it as soon as you notice your child is struggling. Behavioral issues in children are quite common, and can have a long-term impact on their mental health and the overall well-being of the family. Behavioral issues counseling can help your child develop the tools they need to manage their condition and thrive.
Although it’s normal for children to act out from time to time, behavioral issues can be a sign of disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). Other mental health conditions that can be treated with talk therapy such as behavior issues counseling include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.
Some common symptoms of behavioral disorders include:
Each child is unique, and these are just a few of the behaviors you may observe in your child. It’s important to have a mental health professional do a complete assessment of your child’s behavior to get an accurate diagnosis.
Behavioral issues counseling that includes both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy can be helpful in treating these common disorders.
Cognitive therapy can free children and adults from negative thought patterns that may further demoralize them when they’re already feeling down. Simply telling your child to “think positive,” isn’t usually an effective way to help them feel better. Cognitive therapy teaches them how to identify negative and self-defeating thought patterns and alter distorted perceptions of their thoughts and the world around them.
Behavioral therapy analyzes problematic behaviors and helps your child learn new behaviors to replace ineffective ones. Behavior modification often involves a reward system that promotes positive behaviors, social skills training, and increased exposure to previously-avoided stimuli.
Mindfulness-based therapies can also be effective tools for managing behavioral issues. Mindfulness emphasizes sustained attention on the present moment and focuses on the task at hand in a non-judgmental fashion. Mindfulness and meditation can help increase self-awareness, improve emotional well-being, and help your child manage stress, anxiety and negative thoughts.
Family therapy gives all members of the family an opportunity to express their feelings and help everyone work toward resolving issues and conflicts.
Regardless of their age, behavioral issues counseling can help improve your child’s mental health, well-being and communication skills, as well as benefit the whole family. To schedule an in-person or telehealth counseling session at Kayenta Therapy, contact a therapist directly to get started today.
