The most common time of year for children and adolescents to begin counseling tends to be the few weeks following the start of the school year, mid-September, (once teachers have identified preliminary academic, social, or behavioral problems) and January (once the holiday season comes to an end and the concerns from the start of the school year have not improved despite the many efforts of the youth’s parents and teachers). Making the choice to start your child in counseling is never easy. For parents, it can be a very tough decision full of shame, self-doubt, and guilt. You may worry how your child will react once you inform him or her of your decision to contact a therapist. Unfortunately, these emotions often prevent well-intentioned parents from acting in a timely fashion.
It’s best to remain proactive, not reactive. Don’t wait for a call from your child’s teacher, coach, or after school mentor. Address problems before they grow.
As a child and adolescent counselor, I have witnessed the power of enrolling a child in counseling during the summer, when demands are far less on the youth and schedules are more relaxed. Most children and adolescents can achieve meaningful change in just a few sessions. Thus, by the start of the next school year, it is very likely that your child can make the necessary strides to avoid repeating the problems from the year prior. Here are 5 reasons to start counseling for your child over the summer:
1. Be proactive: Address problems from the previous school year, before the next school year begins.
2. Get answers and support right away. Don’t wait. Avoid starting counseling at the start of a new school year as during those first weeks of school, your child faces an onslaught of new information and multiple adjustments. Which means you do too!
3. Help your child start the school year with the tools and resources they need, such as better coping, improved organization & time management, greater self-awareness, better self-control, stronger social skills, and more confidence!
4. Establish a strong therapeutic alliance during the summer so that should problems arise later during the year, your child can return to counseling if necessary. Because rapport and trust are in place, you won’t be met with your child’s resistance if/when something happens.
5. In general, summer break is a less demanding time on youth, making it easier for them to fully engage in counseling!
If you would like a free 15-minute phone consultation to find out how counseling may benefit your child, feel free to contact me at 410-382-9851.