Supporting Children and Adolescents
Therapy and assessments for young peopleThe Importance of Early Intervention
Research tells us that mental health challenges often first surface earlier on in life and that seeking early support is vital. Therapy can help equip a young person with valuable skills and strategies to deal with their challenges, which they can carry on using as they continue to develop.
Just like adults, children and teenagers can benefit from the help of a psychologist. As younger people may not, however, always have the emotional vocabulary to fully or accurately express what they are experiencing, adults such as parents and teachers often play a key
Get in touch to make an appointment with our child psychologist.
Why might a young person need therapy?
There are many reasons why young people might attend therapy sessions. If you notice your child’s peer or family relationships are being affected, or that there is a decline in academic performance, it may indicate that their challenges are causing significant distress. Some other things to look out for include:
Changes in mood and increased irritability
Low mood and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Changes in appetite and/or eating patterns
Low self-esteem
Avoidance of situations
Displaying disproportionate anger and aggression
Self-harm
Conflict with others e.g. bullying or being bullied
Refusing to go to school
Difficulty separating from parents
Frequent reassurance seeking from adults
Unhelpful thinking styles e.g. very negative statements about themselves, others and the world
Excessive worrying (e.g. everyday events, social situations, being away from parents, phobias)
Difficulty adjusting, coping and moving on after a stressful life event or loss
Complaints about bodily sensations and physical discomfort, for which no medical causes can be found
How do I explain therapy to my child?
Therapy should be viewed as a supportive and collaborative effort to help the young person where you and your child work together with the psychologist.
If a young person has been active in asking for help, it will be helpful to tell them immediately after you have scheduled an appointment so that they can be more at ease. When the suggestion for therapy has not been prompted by a request from a child, but instead an adult has identified the need, then it is recommended to tell your child in advance that you have arranged a therapy appointment.
If your child is very anxious about the prospect of attending therapy and is likely to worry a lot, you might prefer to tell them 1 or 2 days before the appointment. If you are parenting a teenager who might be very resistant, you might prefer to inform them of your intention 1 to 2 weeks prior to the appointment, followed by a reminder, so that they have had some time to process this.
You might choose to explain that you’ve noticed that they have been finding something challenging and because it’s starting to get in the way of them doing things, you have heard about a professional who might have useful information about how to deal with what’s going on. Young people can also be encouraged to “keep an open mind” and “see how it goes” following initial meetings with a psychologist. Their opinions should always be valued and if they are comfortable, they might agree to continue for several sessions.
+971 (0) 5 85064243
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Unit 202, 2nd Floor, Building 49
Dubai Healthcare City, right next door to City Hospital
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