Therapy isn't just about venting or even about fixing problems; it's about helping young people thrive, even when things change. By giving them a safe space to talk, teaching them valuable coping skills, and helping them become more resilient, therapy can help kids and teens handle life's ups and downs with confidence. It's an investment in their emotional well-being and a path to a happier and healthier life.
If you notice that your child's mental health is starting to interfere with daily activities, school attendance, or social interactions, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. The therapists at Ballard Clinic specialize in treating childhood anxiety using evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and more. Contact our scheduling team today to connect with one of our skilled therapists!
Here at Ballard Clinic, we work closely with parents and their children to manage their experiences of anxiety. Common concerns that we hear from parents when their child is experiencing anxiety include:
“My child won’t sleep in his/her own bed at night.”
“It is a battle getting my child to go to his sport or activity.”
“Every time there is a storm outside, my child becomes overly frightened that something bad is going to happen to us or our house.”
“My child has a tantrum most mornings before it’s time to head to school.”
“I get asked lots of questions about whether things are going to be ok.”
“My child is always asking me ‘What if…?’”
If these sound familiar, and if these worries are getting in the way of your child's friendships, school, or are causing stress at home, then therapy can be a really positive step.
Children’s brains are still developing all the way into early adulthood, which can make it hard for them to handle big emotions, make healthy decisions, and cope with life’s ups and downs. Therapy is a valuable tool for growth that can even help prevent bigger challenges down the road. It gives kids a safe space to express their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills they can use throughout their life. With the right support, children and teens can learn how to face challenges with resilience and know when and how to ask for help.
WHEN TO START?
If your child's symptoms are getting in the way of their friendships, academic work, or are causing stress at home, then therapy could be a helpful resource. Therapy isn’t a fast or simple solution. It takes time, but it can help ease symptoms, provide clarity, and make daily life better. It's an investment in their emotional well-being and a path to a happier and healthier life.
When kids and teens start therapy, the first step is building trust. They need to feel safe and supported before they’re ready to open up and share their feelings. That’s why child therapists work hard to create a warm, non-judgmental space where kids feel comfortable. We often use hands-on activities, movement, and even games to help build that connection, teach coping skills, and make therapy feel safe (and sometimes even fun!). But don’t worry—there’s a lot more happening than just playing UNO! Skilled therapists weave important questions and strategies into these activities to help kids grow and navigate their challenges.
WILL PARENTS BE INVOLVED?
Parents are often included in the treatment process, sharing their insights on how their child is doing at home and learning how they can help their child translate the skills they are learning in therapy to the real world. Child and teen therapist try to create a safe zone of privacy in the therapy room, and if safety concern arise they discuss the importance of informing the child/teen's parent.
Contact our scheduling team today to connect with one of our skilled therapists!
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