As a parent...

There are few things that are more upsetting than seeing your child struggling. You may notice that they are excessively worrying rather than acting like their normal self, or they may seem fearful or withdrawn. Perhaps they are showing behaviours that are causing them to lose friends or get in trouble at school. You could be wondering if this is a mental health issue, a learning disability, or another serious condition that is affecting your child. 

If you are worried about your child or teen’s mental health, and you suspect that they may be suffering from anxiety or depression, it may be time to reach out to a Coquitlam and Burnaby child therapist for help.​

What’s Going On with My Child or Teen?

Child and teenage brains operate differently than an adult brain, so when they are troubled it is often difficult for the child or teen to express their feelings in an intentional way. It may be difficult for you to communicate with your child and figure out what is going on with them and why they are acting strange.

​These days, life is becoming more complex for children and teens, and stressors are more prevalent than ever. With rising demands from school, technology, extracurriculars, social pressures, and the global climate, the world looks very different for children today than it did for their parents when they were growing up. It’s no wonder that mental health conditions for young people are on the rise in North America.
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As much as we may try to protect our children from stressors and other mentally damaging experiences, sometimes they may still develop extreme fear, worries, or sadness. This may impact their self esteem, personality, or all other elements of their life. 

We understand that this can make you feel like you are failing your child, but the good news is a Burnaby and Coquitlam child therapist can help.

How Can therapy Help?

Our team can help you and your child understand what is going on, and build the skills, tools, and knowledge to address the struggles that they are facing now and in the future. Child psychotherapy is specifically intended to help children and teens manage their mental health challenges early in life so that they have solutions to help them function normally at school, home, and in society. 

While it may be scary for you and your child to seek out professional Coquitlam and Burnaby mental health support, it truly is the start of your journey to a healthier relationship and happier days. Our Coquitlam and Burnaby child and teen therapists work with young people of all ages, and will tailor their counselling sessions to be age-appropriate and unique to each child’s needs.

​Our team also works with you as the parent to hear your challenges and set up a treatment solution that works for everyone. While the main focus of the sessions will be your child, it’s very important for parents to be involved in the treatment process and to check in on goal progress. 

It’s also very important that your child or teen feels comfortable in their therapy space, so our team works hard to provide an open, supportive, and welcoming space that your child can use to explore their emotions and identify the root of their feelings.

Common Concerns ​

Some of the most common concerns we hear from parents about child and teen therapy services include:

• "My child isn’t interested in coming to therapy"
  Your child may not take therapy seriously, and understandably might not want to speak to a stranger. Depending on their age, you may need to attend the first few sessions with your child until they become comfortable. It may take time but we are confident that eventually they will come to feel supported and relaxed with our team.
• "Therapy is expensive and time consuming"
  If your child was physically unwell, you wouldn’t hesitate to fit in doctor’s appointments in between other obligations. A mental illness is no different, and investing in your child’s health can help them flourish throughout the rest of their childhood as well as build the foundation to prevent recurring mental illness in adulthood.
• "My child is too young to meaningfully talk about their emotions and experiences"
  Even young children may benefit from therapy practices that are age appropriate. There are many ways to encourage children to speak about their feelings, including play-based techniques instead of traditional conversational therapy

Our Coquitlam and Burnaby Counselling Services Can Help

If your child or teen is struggling and you think a Coquitlam or Burnaby therapist might be able to help them feel better and get back to being a kid, book a free 15-minute consultation.

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