Counseling For Kids With Anxiety In Washington, PA
Self-talk is that little voice in our head that speaks to us. It can be encouraging at times, but other times it can be a downright bully. When our kids feel anxious they don’t always know how to express it. Helping our children understand their feelings and encouraging positive self-talk can greatly help kids with anxiety.
Listening To Our Kids Helps Ease Anxiety
It’s normal to have bad days. It’s normal to have bad moods or be cranky from time to time. When adults have a bad day, we accept it. When a child has a bad day, he/she tends to get punished or reprimanded for being “moody”.
It’s important that we listen to our kids. We can empathize with what they are going through even if we don’t understand it.
Be curious and ask questions. Don’t just dismiss something as “nonsense” because that’s how you may feel.
Our Children’s Feelings Are Valid And Normal
Everyone is entitled to their feelings. Help your child to feel his/her feelings by acknowledging that the feelings exist.
If you’re child is nervous/anxious about the 1st day of school, or a test, or a college interview, that’s okay! Those feelings are valid and completely normal. Let your child know they are not the only one to feel that way.
If often helps kids to know that their parents have also felt the same way at some point or another. Share a story! Tell your child about a time you were in a similar situation.
It’s common for parents to react to children’s fears and anxiety by saying something like “You have nothing to worry about.” And while in some cases that may be fine, most often children need to know that what they feel inside is okay. They need to know they are not alone. They need to know that others have felt just like them. Sometimes we have bad moments, or bad days, and that’s okay.
Focus On The Positive
It can be so easy to focus on children’s faults – – “Don’t hit your brother!” “Stop whining.” “Sit up straight.” On and on it goes. It’s easy to see the faults in kids. But when we focus on the faults, we miss their strengths.
To help lessen negative self-talk, let your child hear good things about them! Watch for those moments when your child shares with a sibling, listens the first time, or smiles at you (especially for teens!). Compliment the good moments. Praise their strengths. “I’m so proud of the kindness you showed your brother when you shared your toys,” or “You worked so hard on preparing for that test!”
When we praise our children for their work, for their effort, it helps build their self-esteem. Their increased self-esteem can help weaken that negative inner voice.
We all have an inner voice. Let’s speak positively to children, and to ourselves! Negative self-talk in kids should not be the only little voice in their heads. Let’s listen to our kids and help them feel their feelings. We can let them know they are not alone and that they are good, kind and capable of doing great things.
Counseling For Kids With Anxiety in Washington, PA
Have you considered therapy for your child with anxiety? As a therapist in Washington, PA, I help kids who struggle with anxiety. If you think your child could benefit from counseling, please call me at (724) 503-6670. My office in Washington, PA is warm and inviting. It’s a place where your child will feel safe to sit, relax and talk.
If you have any questions or would like to get to know me a little better, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at admin@inthenowcounseling.org. You can also reach me on Facebook and Instagram, too.
