Children, ages 8 - 13, can find themselves in therapy for a variety of reasons.  They may need help in learning coping skills for emotional regulation or to process negative or traumatic life events. Therapy at this age can build resiliency for later in life and help them become captains of their destiny.  

 

"Tweens" is that in-be'tween' age where the individual is not yet a teen but also not quite a child anymore.  This can be a rough transition for a lot of children as there are many challenges this population faces that can be difficult to navigate.   In school, they go from having one classroom / one teacher to many different classes and teachers each day.  School also becomes more socially challenging as kids are not consistently in the same peer group and bullying becomes more prevalent.  

​

Some students respond to these challenges with feelings of confusion that can lead to equally confusing behaviors.  Your happy, compliant child may now be displaying moodiness; distancing themselves from you, or becoming increasingly clingy and dependent on their parents.

​

Kids at this age are primed for learning and it is a great time to seek therapeutic support in order to teach skills and gain understanding about their experiences.  Therapy also offers these kids a space to be heard and to fully express how they are feeling without the worry of upsetting those around them.  Through play and lessons, a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship is formed.   It is in this space that the child learns about messages from emotions, mindfulness skills for stress reduction, and how to treat themselves kindly through the power of loving self-talk.   

​

Parents are also an important part of this process.  The skills learned in therapy need your support in order to be successful at home and in school.  We will often talk at the end of your child's session to review what we are working on and learning.  I also work solely with parents in coaching sessions to help you better understand your child and teach supportive parenting skills.  

​

Contact me today to discuss your child's needs. 

435-565-1899

amandac@dayacounseling.com