https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 02:11:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737957 Fri, 19 May 2017 20:13:30 +0000 Finfan 2737957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an intake appointment at the end of the month. Lots of struggles right now. Our pediatrician suggested it after seeing LO1 in action during LO2's recent well baby appointment. Hoping it will be a good source of support for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737643 Thu, 18 May 2017 22:40:40 +0000 MamaCate 2737643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: I am a therapist in early childhood mental health (babies-5). At this age, it is definitely going to be a lot of play based, which is appropriate. We believe kids' play is their "work". My work also emphasizes the relational aspect of the child-caregiver relationship, either through family or collateral sessions. Therapy can make a big difference for kids struggling with their big feelings or fears at this age.</p> <p>Please let me know if I can be a resource for you at all through this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737621 Thu, 18 May 2017 20:40:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2737621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL has done therapy with children for years and you are correct, it's play therapy- they actually make it fun.</p> <p>I haven't done it with my child but my daughter is on the anxious side. She's my spirited child. I told DH that if I start to see that she's not able to cope at her new school next year that we should consider this too. When she first started preschool (3s) she was very nervous about it all the time and it was definitely in the top parenting challenges thus far.</p> <p>Good luck, let us know how it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737532 Thu, 18 May 2017 13:00:05 +0000 littlebug 2737532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: I'm totally ok with homework! Willing to do whatever it takes to make this better for him. Seeing him struggle gives me the biggest heartache. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737516 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:09:22 +0000 catgirl 2737516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a counselor when I was five when my parents separated (and later divorced). I remember it being play based and I enjoyed having someone other than my parents to talk to. I'm thankful my parents had me go and that they just made it seem normal - in fact when I was 10 I asked to go back because I was struggling with my dad's new marriage. I'm not sure I would have known to ask for that if I hadn't gone before, so I am really glad I knew it was an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737499 Thu, 18 May 2017 11:46:20 +0000 macintosh 2737499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom is a psychologist and does play therapy also. She also does a variety of diagnostic tests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737492 Thu, 18 May 2017 11:25:00 +0000 Rocker2014 2737492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I forgot to mention, if your kid is into art at all, that can also be a huge component in therapy this young. There are a variety of directed art projects that can help a child engage in clinical work - drawing something and then drawing what comes next is an example. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737490 Thu, 18 May 2017 11:22:14 +0000 Rocker2014 2737490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a therapist - I've worked mostly with adolescents and families but occasionally have seen younger children. At this age, it is usually what is known as "play therapy." The therapist will use a variety of toys/games to engage a child in the therapeutic work. Some examples:</p> <p> - using plastic animal toys, dolls or puppets to act out situations that have been or can be distressing. The therapist's toy will react in different ways, allowing the child to process different ways of handling the situation and practice things that might work. Kids love to act out what has happened to them with toy figures!<br /> - games that reward identifying/processing/roleplaying emotions - charades is a familiar example, or tossing a ball and demonstrating a feeling based on who catches it or where it lands.</p> <p>A therapist may also give suggestions about behavior modification techniques or suggest a specific plan based on what they see in a session, so there may be homework for you!</p> <p>Each therapist has different techniques, but hopefully this is helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737431 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:08:25 +0000 Mamaof2 2737431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: I hope it goes well for you! DH and I also met with her alone once a month to talk about how things were progressing.</p> <p>LOTS of tears from me and DS but we powered thru!</p> <p>He still struggles with some anxiety but no where near the extreme it use to be - our LCSW said we were welcome to come back anytime to check in and get some tips - she was my lifeline these past 3 years!</p> <p>Best of luck to you and your DS :heart: </p> <p>Feel free to PM me anytime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737429 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:04:44 +0000 littlebug 2737429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Thank you! That's how ours is also set up - time with us in the room, then time with just him. But she's completely fine if he never gets to a point where we can leave him in the room. Given that he's there for anxiety, she doesn't want to make that any worse than it already is. I'm so glad to hear that it went well for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737405 Thu, 18 May 2017 07:59:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2737405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>additional thoughts:</p> <p>It was considered play therapy but towards the end (age 7+) we were sitting on the couch just talking.</p> <p>She used little chips that he could earn thru a session and if earned X amount he could pick out a prize - that def motivated him to talk!</p> <p>She used the sand box a lot and we would work together to make scenes and describe why we did what we did.</p> <p>We always ended with a board game - she wanted him to leave on a good note </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737400 Thu, 18 May 2017 07:55:54 +0000 Mamaof2 2737400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: We started DS in counseling with a LCSW at age 5 for anxiety. The appts were suppose to be 30 mins with all of us then 30 min with her and him - that never happened - he freaked out if we tried to leave. She let it be.</p> <p>It was a long hard road but he finished this past Spring after 3 years and its amazing to look back at how far he came! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/child-in-counseling#post-2737398 Thu, 18 May 2017 07:52:45 +0000 littlebug 2737398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone had their child in counseling? I don't mean early intervention or behavior therapy, but true talk therapy counseling? I'm taking my son to a counselor next week. He's 4. He's been having a lot of behavior issues and in my discussion with the counselor last week, she thinks it's anxiety. So I'm taking him in to see her on Monday. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm a social worker and I've been to therapy myself (in fact, I'm currently in therapy), so I have no qualms or negative feelings about about counseling at all. I just... like, how does counseling work with a kid so young? </p> <p>I'm just not sure what to expect and looking for a little guidance and support. I'm worried for my son and just want to know that this will help him. :sad:</p> <p>ETA: Obviously I'm not downplaying or belittling early intervention or behavioral therapy. I just wanted to clarify that I meant psychological counseling. And I am aware that this isn't going to look like my son sitting on a couch pouring his heart out to a therapist; I'm assuming it'll involve play and art and some talking. </p>