More and more young people are exhibiting signs of negative mental wellbeing. It is certainly understandable when you consider that they are not equipped to deal with the unprecedented isolation the Coronavirus has brought with it. As a result, their parents are seeking help from professional mental health experts. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss a few points which you need to look out for when choosing a counsellor for your child.

Behavioural Changes

As a parent, you’ll be accustomed to your child’s moods, so keep an eye out for behavioural changes; they are often the first indicator that something is amiss. Has your child become uncharacteristically withdrawn recently, or excessively aggressive?

Environmental Changes

Almost every child has experienced environmental changes since the onset of the Coronavirus. Depending on the level of lockdown, they sometimes cannot perform normal tasks such as going to school where they can interact with their teachers and friends.

Think for a moment how exhausted you, as an adult, feel after daily virtual sessions, especially when you’ve needed to concentrate twice as hard as you would have needed to in a face-to-face meeting. It is worse for children and teenagers alike.

Stressful Events

Sadly, the loss of life has been excessive due to the pandemic. Many children have been exposed to loss through the death of a loved one; others have had their family dynamic changed because their parents divorced. In both these instances, the loss is significant and the children involved may not be able to process their grief in a healthy way.

There are many other factors that may require the need for your child to see a mental health professional. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your child; they must be assured that they can share anything with you, including their insecurities.

If you have established that your child would benefit from visiting a mental health professional, or they have outright asked for the help, it is best to know what your options are, and which is best suited to your individual situation. Usually, the first port of call is a counsellor.

If you’re in the South West of England, you may want to find out more about youth counselling at Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy. Their team of professionals is trained to deal with various fields including but not limited to social context problems, behavioural and emotional issues, stress management, and processing grief. Your child will be able to openly discuss their problems with an active listener in a safe, non-judgemental space.

Sometimes, it may be advisable that you also take part in some of the sessions. There are many positive aspects to taking part in some of your child’s visits to their therapist, such as improved communication within the family. Your child’s counsellor may also be able to assist you in changing your child-rearing strategies to better impact your child’s mental wellbeing.

In certain situations, your child’s counsellor may recommend an additional professional to be included in the therapy regimen; these can be anyone, or a combination of a social worker, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist.