Child Therapy: Building Emotional Resilience

Childhood can be filled with many different experiences. Many of these experiences are positive and can help a child learn and therefore become a well-functioning adult. But it is also a vulnerable time and a human’s life.  It is believed that up to 66% of adults experience the major traumatic event in their childhood. Whether we like it or not, these events shape who we become.

Helping children become emotionally resilient is a great tool to equip them with. But before we discuss helping build emotional resilience in children, let’s discuss what it actually is. 

Emotional resilience is a child’s ability to deal with stress and adversity. It’s what allows them to process the information and to bounce back from major challenges and setbacks. With therapy, a child can build emotional resilience and it can help them all the way into adulthood.

Emotional regulation, good communication skills, and mindfulness are all part of emotional resilience. Successful adults were often children who had emotional resilience. Getting therapy for your child is one proactive step toward making their adulthood even better.

Types of Child therapy

Below you can find the three major types of child therapy offered by most child therapists.

Play therapy assist your child in problem solving skills, helps them to regulate their emotions, and also helps them to build their self-esteem.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps children develop coping strategies and learn Stress Management. It can help them alleviate unwanted negative thoughts.

Art therapy helps children identify and express emotions, gain self control, and even develop creativity. It is especially helpful for those who have already experienced a major trauma.

A child therapist in Tampa Florida will usually offer the types of therapy that you see above. Most well-trained therapists in any city will also probably offer them. You can use Google or call around to find child therapists who offer these tools.

Conclusion

Knowing that 2/3 of adults suffer at least one major trauma in their childhood, a good parent should be proactive and helping their child deal with a trauma which is already occurred or one which may occur. Having your child be in touch with who they are and how they perceive the world is definitely an advantage.

If you are already seeing a therapist and wish to do so for your child you may broach the subject by having your child meet your therapist one day after a session. Explain to your child that this person helps you manage tough situations and thoughts. Explain to them that there are professionals that help people of all ages with their problems. Eventually, you can ask if they would like to see a person like this themselves.

Many times a therapist will see both adults and children. But if your therapist does not see children they will most likely be able to refer you to a therapist who does. And there is no better therapist for your child than one recommended by someone you trust.