Is your child more prone to crying spells, panic, and tantrums since COVID-19 hit?
Does your child cry and shout at events that haven’t upset them in the past?
Does your child get easily overwhelmed and have stomach aches and headaches at home and school?
If so, you are not alone! Many parents are at a loss for how to support their child during these tumultuous times. A child therapist in Old Saybrook can help you find ways to support your child! Also, a child therapist in Old Saybrook helps alleviate anxiety by providing the child and their family with self-soothing tools.
Children that struggle with impulse control problems, are hyperactive, and/or have aggressive behavior are more likely to struggle with COVID-19. As well, children with an anxious temperament may be slow to warm up to others. Likewise, they are likely to exhibit a worsening of their worry.
Children show their anxiety through crying, stating worries, and physical symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches.
A child that suffers with anxiety benefits from adults that deescalate their system that is in overdrive due to stress. Many of us assume that discussing what is causing their anxiety at length is helpful, but that isn’t always true! One way to deesculate their system is to not talk at length about what is triggering their anxiety. It is like a balancing act. Acknowledging and validating what they are experiencing while not staying too long in the triggering content.
So, what does a child therapist in Old Saybrook do if they don’t sit and talk at length about problems?
Our holistic therapists support children in releasing their feelings through paint, clay, yoga, and running around the beach! Moving the body with a therapist gives your child tools to regulate their body and mind. A child with high amounts of stress holds their stress and emotions in their mind and body. Because of this, children experience physical symptoms like headaches and tummy aches. A child therapist in Old Saybrook assists in regulating the body and mind to achieve inner peace.
A child therapist in Old Saybrook can talk to you and your child about your child and why they are struggling.
This can help your child understand why they are reacting. Often, children don’t understand how to express their fears and anxieties calmly. Furthermore, children throw temper tantrums, bite, and lie when they feel overwhelmed. The amygdala, the emotion center of our brain, is our protector and fire alarm. Explaining that the amygdala is overprotecting them and on edge can be helpful.
There are many techniques to calm the amygdala of a child with anxiety!
A child therapist in Old Saybrook will walk your child through breathing exercises. Also, the therapist will offer calming music, muscle relaxation exercises in a warm and structured environment. This assists your child in creating a calm mind in a safe space. Providing slow transitions to new activities and a calming holding space will support them in exploring their emotions. This helps to regulate their body and mind with a trustworthy and safe adult. At Wisdom Within Counseling we support your child in gaining inner peace in conflict.
What can parents working with a child therapist in Old Saybrook do to support their anxious child?
Parents giving children options and choice for what to do during free time will help form a structured home life. Having a flexible schedule for alone time and family time is beneficial especially for teens. Alone time can help in self-regulation and reaching homeostasis.
Slowing the pace and quieting the volume assists in calming the minds and bodies of children.
A slower pace in transitions to activities supports a regulated system. Telling your child that you are transitioning to dinnertime in a calm and gentle tone. For instance, ten and five minutes before sitting at the table. During high stress we are more likely to interpret neutral tones with unpleasant tones. If your child is highly sensitive Wisdom Within Counseling therapists can help you create a calm family life.
How working with a child therapist in Old Saybrook can support you in communicating lovingly with your child?
So, being aware of our tone and being gentle is helpful for children that are experiencing excessive stress. During disputes, stating how you are feeling instead of raising your voice will make the conversation go more smoothly. Saying “I am upset because…” instead of raising one’s voice can be supportive to a child with anxiety. At Wisdom Within Counseling we support you and your child in developing healthy connections and well-being.
To add, at Wisdom Within Counseling your child can build better self esteem through creative art, music, and yoga. Our therapists focus on a holistic, alternative approach using play therapy. Our therapists specialize in going beyond talk counseling after trauma, divorce, or grief. At Wisdom Within Counseling your child can learn to express intense emotions like anger and jealousy. Lastly, if you are looking for a creative approach for family counseling, we would love to connect with you!
At Wisdom Within Counseling, your child can release their painful emotions and develop self-soothing skills. Help your child develop a peaceful body and mind today!
To give your child the tools to gain inner peace book a free 30-minute phone consultation, use the pink button below!
