You can get into therapy as an adult if you feel you need it. You may decide you have some issues, and you want to talk about them and hopefully feel better. No one can force you to get therapy as an adult, unless you end up in court and agree to it as part of your sentence.
Knowing you need therapy as an adult often becomes like knowing when you need a lawyer’s help, or a doctor’s. You may realize that it’s what’s best, but generally, only you can make the decision to seek out this type of assistance.
Many young people also get into therapy, though. Some do so willingly. Others do it because their parents feel it’s what best for them, so they lean on the child till they give in.
As a parent, you might not know for certain that your child should get therapy, but you may suspect it. How can you tell for sure that it’s the best move?
If you’re unsure about where to start, online counseling platforms like betterhelp.com can offer a convenient first step toward emotional wellness.
Let’s discuss that right now.
You and Your Spouse Divorce Each Other
Usually, if you raise a child, you can tell when they’re happy or sad. If you’ve known this person since they drew their first breath, then you likely don’t have to guess their moods.
If you have a spouse, and you’re divorcing them, then you may need therapy to get over it. Your child might need counseling as well.
Maybe you have a partner, but you two never married. Still, you’ve raised your child together. If you two split, then it doesn’t much matter whether you’re divorcing each other or not. There’s upheaval in the household, and that’s going to impact everyone living there.
Even if it seems like your child doesn’t have a noticeable reaction when they tell them that you and your spouse or partner will dissolve your relationship, you should still at least consider sending them to therapy. You can make yourself available when your child wants to talk about the situation, but they might want someone who’s more objective with whom they can speak.
Always leave the option open to your child. If they refuse, then watch their behavior closely. You never want to force them into therapy, but if you feel their actions demand it, you may have little choice.
Your Spouse or Partner Dies
You may also have a situation where your spouse or partner dies. If that happens, it will likely devastate you. You can just imagine the impact that your child feels as well.
Whenever there’s a death in the family, your child will probably need to talk about it. Dealing with something so sobering at a young age will test them. They must face a distinctly adult situation when they may not have the necessary mental and psychological coping tools.
Again, make therapy an option for them. Let them know that they can always talk to you, but if they want to speak to an adult not directly involved in the situation, they can do that as well.
Your Child Shows Anxiety Symptoms
You may have a situation where your child shows anxiety symptoms. Maybe they tell you they’re worried about something, and they don’t want to go to school because of it. Perhaps it gets to a point where they don’t even want to leave the house.
At this moment, more people self-report that they’re feeling anxiety than ever before. That’s true for adults, but for children as well.
No two kids may have exactly the same reasons for feeling anxious, but if that’s what’s happening, you need to pursue all available options to make sure your child gets the care they need. They may require medication. To get it, though, they will need to talk to a mental health professional.
Your Child Shows Depression Symptoms
You may also notice that your child shows depression symptoms. Again, there’s a veritable depression epidemic going on at the moment. Many adults experience it, and plenty of children too.
If your child shows depression symptoms, they may not want to do things that once brought them joy. Maybe they sleep all day. They won’t do their homework or clean their room. They may not even bathe. If they have friends, they might shun them.
You can try to talk to them about what’s bothering them, but again, it’s often better if you make a mental health professional available. The therapist, after meeting with your child, can talk to you about what’s going on with them.
They might advise that you put your child on medication. Maybe they can propose some other solutions if you and your youngster want to avoid psychotropic medication.
Your Child Exhibits Violent Tendencies
You may notice that your child exhibits some violent tendencies. They may raise their voice at you or even try to strike you. Perhaps you’re getting reports that they’re doing something similar at school.
If your child resorts to violence, then you must probably force them into therapy if they won’t go willingly. At that point, you’ve reached a crisis. Your child and the therapist must address their anger and come up with some alternate ways that your young one can act out their aggression that doesn’t harm anyone else.
Sometimes, it’s hard to know when or if your child needs therapy. Maybe they’re just acting a little distant because they’re entering adolescence.
It’s only natural that your child might pull away during this time. Teens have to push against boundaries that you set for them, and ones that society sets as well.
Teenage rebellion can easily get out of hand if you’re not watchful, though. If you see your teen consuming alcohol, experimenting with drugs, or getting into skirmishes with the police, you will certainly want to push for therapy. Maybe that’s the only way someone can get through to your troubled young one if they’re on the verge of making choices that might negatively impact their life.
