Life Skills Awareness will remain open and offer online and over-the-phone therapy during COVID-19 isolation.
Children's Therapy
Helping Kids Develop Their Voice
Understanding the Need For a Therapist
Unlike adults, who have had years of experience learning how to voice their frustrations and dealing with conflict, kids often don’t know how to express what they are thinking and feeling. Whether they are dealing with a school bully, low self-esteem, or more serious issues like ADD/ADHD or eating disorders, if they are reacting in ways you are unsure how to manage, the children’s therapy specialists at Life Skills Awareness have the expertise you need to help.
The idea behind children's therapy sessions is to provide kids, from young ages to adolescence and teenage years, a safe space to explore how they feel and express the internal struggles they may be facing. The purpose is to allow patients to receive the emotional support they need to be upfront about what’s going on and to work with a Life Skills Awareness children's therapy specialist. While the end result of these sessions may differ depending on the patient — whether it be changing a certain behavior, improving communication, or improving relations with family and friends — our mental health services are here to support you!
Reasons Your Child Could Benefit From Working With a Therapist
- They are frequently sad or depressed
- They are withdrawn or isolated
- There are sudden and excessive bursts of anger or mood swings
- There is a decreased interest in activities
- There is alcohol or drug abuse
- They have been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused
- There have been family conflicts, such as divorce or separation
- They experienced a death of a family member or pet
A Nurturing Approach To Children's Therapy
One of the wonders of parenting is being able to learn who your child is, their personality, interests, sense of humor, and dislikes. On the other hand, one of the biggest challenges is learning how your child reacts in certain situations, when things don’t go the way they expected, or how to talk to them when they have become withdrawn. Working with a children’s therapist can provide an outlet for young kids who need a trusted ally who they can talk to and work through various challenges with.
The Life Skills Awareness approach involves creating a nurturing and comfortable environment where children of all ages can open up and talk about what they are struggling with. Life Skills Awareness uses a variety of techniques, including play therapy to help therapists gain insight into a child’s mind, especially when they are having difficulty opening up. Play therapy uses tools like the arts, music, crafts, dancing, and toys to create an outlet for expression. This form of communication between our children's therapy and our young patient has several benefits, including:
Encouraging use of fine motor skills
Promoting stronger social skills and family relationships
Learning to fully experience and express emotions
Alleviating anxiety
If you believe your child could benefit from working with a children’s therapist, get in touch with Life Skills Awareness today!
Support Your Adolescent Child As They Grow
For young teens, the transition into adulthood comes with a variety of struggles, such as body issues, identity confusion, defiance, school issues, or anxiety. We aim to help them develop coping strategies and understand the difference between what their perception of a certain situation can be and reality. These methods will teach them how to adapt their thinking in order to prevent feeling bad about themselves. Children's therapy is not limited to kids of a certain age — our mental health services are designed to help adolescents and teens work through their struggles and gain a better understanding of themselves. If you start to notice any sudden difference in your young adult as he or she moves through middle school and high school, contact us to schedule an appointment!
How Can Parents Help Their Child?
Giving your loved one the chance to speak to a children's therapy specialist is an excellent starting point for starting a discussion. If you as a parent are worried about your child’s well-being or mental/emotional/social development, our Life Skills Awareness can help. However, there are several other actions you can take to provide your child with a sense of comfort and safety, encouraging him or her to speak openly with a children's therapy specialist. A few of these simple steps include:
Ensuring your child is comfortable with the therapist. In order to achieve the best results possible, it’s important to ensure both you and your child are comfortable speaking to a member of our Life Skills Awareness team. Make sure your children's therapy sessions are with a professional whom your family trusts and can comfortably speak to.
Ensure your child attends all his/her appointments. Ensure your child attends every child's therapy session in order to maintain a steady treatment plan and to achieve overall mental and emotional wellness.
Check in on your child. No matter the age of your child, make sure you as a parent are “checking in” by asking how they are and how they’re feeling. Ask him or her if they need help with anything or need to talk; leave the door open for communication and have patience, letting your child know you love and support them.
Be involved in your child’s treatment plan. In order to ensure progress continues outside of children's therapy sessions, speak to your Life Skills Awareness therapist about how you can help support your child.
Parenting an Autistic Child
It's not easy being a parent. But when your child is diagnosed with autism, it can feel like the world is ending. You may be feeling lost and alone right now, but don't worry — you're not alone. There are many parents out there who are raising children with autism, and they can help guide you through this difficult time. A Life Skills Awareness therapist can also support and help you as you navigate parenting an autistic child.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects children of all ages. ASD can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, which can make everyday tasks and activities difficult. Some children with ASD may not be able to speak, while others may have difficulty communicating or interacting with others.
How Can I Help My Child with ASD?
There are many ways you can help your child with ASD. One of the most important things you can do is to learn as much as you can about the disorder. This will help you understand your child's needs and how best to support them. You should also make sure to build a strong support system, both for yourself and your child. This can include friends, family, therapists, and other parents of children with ASD.
Look For Nonverbal Cues
Many children with ASD communicate through nonverbal cues, such as body language or facial expressions. It's important to pay attention to these cues so you can better understand what your child is trying to communicate.
Reward Good Behavior
Rewarding good behavior is a great way to encourage your child with ASD. You can use stickers, stamps, or other small rewards to celebrate progress and positive behavior. This will help your child feel motivated and encouraged to continue making progress.
Encourage Social & Communication Skills
You can encourage social and communication skills by playing games with your child, such as peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake. You can also read stories together, sing songs, and use puppets or stuffed animals. These activities will help your child to develop important social and communication skills.
Provide Structure & Safety
It's important to provide structure and safety for your child with ASD. This means creating a routine and sticking to it as much as possible. It can also mean making sure your child has a safe place to play and explore. This could be an indoor playground, a backyard, or a nearby park.
Parenting an autistic child can be difficult, but it's important to remember that you're not alone. There are many resources and support systems available to help you through this journey. At Life Skills Awareness, we can help you find the right tools and support so you can help your child thrive.