Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Behavior Or Emotional Wellbeing? 

Does your child seem persistently withdrawn or unable to relax? Has he or she has fallen behind academically or expressed other problems at school, such as bullying or not having anyone to sit with at lunch or play with at recess? Does your child worry about being “good” and struggle to move on from what he or she perceives as mistakes or shortcomings? Perhaps your child always seems down, doesn’t get along with peers or siblings or cries all the time. Or, maybe your child is kept awake at night by nightmares, causing him or her to struggle to stay alert, calm and awake during the day. It may be that there is a larger problem within your family right now, or your child has experienced trauma. While you desperately want to help him or her process and cope with pain, you may not know how to help or relate, especially if your child lacks the verbal skills to articulate what’s really going on. Do you wish you had the insight and tools to support your child and help him or her feel calm, happy and successful?  

Taking care of a child with behavioral problems or emotional pain is often a stressful and overwhelming experience. Just getting through the day may involve struggling to get your child out of bed and ready for school, mediating conflicts between his or her peers and siblings, and attempting to calm him or her down during tantrums or extreme sadness. Teachers, community members and even your friends may have a difficult time engaging with your child. As he or she becomes more distracted, defiant or irritable, you may be close to giving up, wondering where you went wrong as a parent. 

It’s Very Common For Children to Struggle

Behavior problems are sometimes a normal part of childhood and many children go through disruptive phases. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect one in eight children and often co-occur with depression as well as eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disorders. 

With the increasing speed of everyday life, it is no wonder that kids are feeling more alone and overstressed. Nowadays, everyone in the family juggles busy schedules that start early in the morning and end late at night, leaving less time for togetherness, support and care. The influence of TV, video games and the Internet can distract and isolate the entire family. It is also common for kids to feel different on account of race, religion and other familial traditions, and this sense of otherness can cause heavy feelings that fuel low self-esteem. 

We know as a parent how difficult it is to see your child struggle. We also know that you are doing the very best you can. If your child is often afraid, has trouble falling asleep, is performing poorly in school or is missing out on important social activities due to his or her behavior, we are able to help. With the guidance and support of an experienced, compassionate child counselor, your child can process what has been bothering him or her and learn effective coping and communication skills that he or she can draw on for many years to come. 

Counseling For Kids Can Provide You And Your Child With Support, Skills And Relief

Child and family counseling can be very effective in helping your son or daughter cope and find relief. We create a stress-free atmosphere where kids can openly express whatever is on their minds. Our approach to counseling children is creative, experiential and interactive, and we draw upon age appropriate techniques, such as play therapy, storytelling, role playing, coloring and more to help identify and reframe the problems that your child is experiencing. Although our work here focuses on relieving distress, we do not believe that counseling for kids has to be serious or scary. Our goal is to provide your child with a friend that he or she can trust, and a safe space where your child can feel comfortable, have fun and experience relief. 

During our sessions, we will examine how your child’s thoughts and feelings influence and drive his or her behavioral concerns. Our approach is solution-focused and completely tailor made to honor your child’s unique personality and beliefs, as well as address the particular problems he or she is facing. We also seek to unlock and help build upon any talents and strengths that have been buried by low self-esteem.  

Throughout this process, we will work collaboratively with you to find creative solutions that draw on your child’s inherent strengths and are effective for your family. It is really important when working with children to create a strong support system. With a unified system of support and my guidance, it is possible for your child to experience positive change and profound relief. Your child can feel understood, accepted, valued, and we will provide long-term solutions he or she can draw upon long after therapy is complete. 

Practice founder, Leah Leynor, is a working mother who has two children with ADHD. Our practice understands the many challenges a parent faces, both personally and professionally, of caring for a child with behavioral issues. In our private practice, we specialize in working with kids, teens and families, and we are confident that we can help your family experience harmony. 

You still may have questions or concerns about child counselinG...

My child doesn’t want to come to therapy. 

It’s normal for anyone to be wary about going somewhere and meeting someone new. Although your child may be expressing disdain for therapy, often deep-down he or she really does want to be understood and accepted, and therapy provides a safe space for your son or daughter to receive specialized attention and care. So many of the kids we see struggle with loneliness, and even though they may not want to come to therapy initially, later on they often thank me for being their friend, and during our final session together when we celebrate and congratulate their progress, kids often express how happy they are to have gone through this process. 

Does going to therapy mean I’m a bad parent?

Absolutely not; rather, we believe that seeking help shows strength and wisdom. It demonstrates that you care deeply for your child and family. Life can be difficult, and even the best parents need support sometimes. Counseling for children is a collaborative process that incorporates your strengths and insight as we work to help your family find relief. 

We’re all so busy. I’m worried we don’t have time for child and family therapy. 

We realize the world we live in is fast paced and jammed packed with activities. However, if your child is having temper tantrums, crying fits and other behavior problems, chances are he or she often has to miss out on important activities and his or her behavior is impacting the whole family. Receiving practical tools that effectively address and solve problems can actually save you time and improve productivity overall. Plus, we offer flexible scheduling options for busy families. 

Your Child and Family Can Heal

If you’re interested in child counseling in Cary, NC, please call our office manager at 919-268-2182 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We are happy to answer any questions you have about our practice or how child and family therapy can address your needs.