Child Therapy Benefits: Mental Health and Child Development

Tizita Seifu MA, LPCS, RPT

Child Therapy is not only a place to address problems but also to maximize your child’s possibilities



Why Investing in Your Child’s Mental Health Matters

1 out of 4 children will have a mental illness during childhood, even when they have grown up in a healthy environment; these 25% of children who will have mental illness are more likely to succeed at home and in the community if they have received professional treatment such as with a professional counselor and physician.*

Though early intervention is most helpful, most children only receive therapy after they have gotten in trouble with an adult.  75% of people who enter therapy show some benefit from receiving professional counseling**




When Child Therapy is Recommended

A child may be experiencing any of the following:

  • angry, sad, worried, or displaying behaviors at home and/or school that parents and/or teachers do not understand or find concerning.

  • struggling with appropriate self-expression, self-esteem, and self-control.

  • struggling with managing their thoughts, feelings or behaviors as desired, necessary or appropriate.




How Child Therapy Can Help

Sometimes kids do not know how to describe or understand what they are thinking or feeling inside, so they act out or show how they feel through their behaviors. Professional mental health counseling that specializes in children, such as Play Therapy, can help nurture and develop a child’s brain, and development:

Child Therapy for Child Development

As a Therapist that works with children and adults, I find that child therapy is often considered a place to address concerning behaviors. Therapy is definitely a place that can and often does address concerns of behavior and mood. Child therapy is not only a place to address problems but also to maximize your child’s possibilities.

Common Benefits of Child Therapy:

  • Self- Esteem Building

  • Development of Self-control

  • Development of Self-responsibility

  • Development of Constructive Self-expression

  • Self-regulation

  • Mastery and Cognitive Development

  • Development of Empathy and Social Skills

  • Social Skills

 

Common Concerns Addressed in Child Therapy:

  • Worry and Anxiety

  • Sadness

  • Learning Difficulties

  • Defiance

  • Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

  • Aggression

  • Psychosomatic complaints (e.g., tummy and headaches)

  • Controlling personal behavior

  • Expressing needs and ideas in a more constructive way

  • Making healthy decisions/ choices

  • Accepting appropriate responsibility

  • Fostering and developing empathy

  • Enhancing Focus and Attention

  • Employing Social Skills



get started today! :

Tizita Seifu MA, LPCS provides professional counseling to individuals and families navigating concerns of anxiety, depression, career stress, and parent/child conflict. She also engages related topics of faith and culture, when desired.

Sources:

Tizita Seifu (2024)

Natalie Morse (2015)

Misty Solt (2015)

Garry Landreth (2012)

*www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/childrens-mental-health

 ** https://www.healthline.com/health/play-therapy#:~:text=Benefits of play therapy,therapy may experience positive change.

** https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy

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