Are you struggling with tantrums, aggressive outbursts, or disobedience? Or maybe your child is withdrawn or struggling to make friends. Whatever the concern, Najwa’s child behavioral therapy services can help. She will work with you and your child to understand the root cause of their behavior and develop a treatment plan that meets their unique needs.
Najwa’s approach is based on the understanding that all behavior is communication. By exploring your child’s behavior, she can uncover what they are trying to express. Once the underlying needs are identified, Najwa will provide strategies and tools to help your child communicate in a more effective way. Najwa has extensive experience working with children with behavioral challenges, and she understands that parenting can be difficult and stressful. That’s why she provides a safe and supportive environment for both you and your child.
Najwa’s approach is grounded in evidence-based methods that are effective in helping children overcome behavioral challenges. She is experienced in child behavioural therapy and offers a warm and supportive environment that makes it easy for children to feel comfortable to open up.
With Najwa’s help, you and your child will develop the skills needed to build a stronger relationship and a more peaceful home environment. Your child will learn to identify and regulate their emotions, improve their communication skills, and build the social skills they need to thrive. And you will gain a better understanding of your child’s behavior, learn new parenting techniques, and develop the confidence and tools you need to support your child through any challenge.
Sometimes, no matter how much you try to help your child, you may find that your child’s behavior is not improving. If you struggle to manage your child’s behavior or are concerned about their mental health, it may be time to seek child therapy. Child therapy can be beneficial for children who are experiencing behavioral challenges, emotional difficulties, or who are dealing with difficult life circumstances.
A few signs may indicate that a child would benefit from therapy.
These include:
If you notice any of these signs, you should consider reaching out to a therapist who specializes in working with children.
Don’t wait to unlock your child’s potential. Contact Najwa at Calgary Family Counselling to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward your child’s well-being.
Children feel avoidance and withdrawal is the answer to their struggles. They connect with the world through social media, gaming or entertaining shows and become obsessive in the use of their devices. Children feel accepted when they are behind a screen as they do not fear being judged and labeled. The more a child uses their electronics, the less desire they have to connect with others.
While this may be hereditary, ADHD / OCD / ODD may also be a result of stress, environmental factors, neglect, abandonment and/or nutritional deficiencies. It is crucial to ensure the child’s emotional needs are being met.
Aggression is a learned behavior. Children who are bullied at home will release their frustration by being aggressive and bullying others. If the child feels controlled at home, the child will often display this behavior outside of the home.
Bed wetting is common in children and can be the result of emotional upset or a medical condition. If a medical condition is ruled out by a physician, it is likely due to an emotional factor. Children wet their beds when they are stressed, anxious and/or when they experience disharmony in their environment. This can include bullying, abuse, moving, divorce, separation from the primary care giver or restriction of expression.
Children model what they see and hear, especially from their caregivers. Parents are at an advantage in that they can learn how to communicate positively so their children listen. This means that even if the parents’ upbringing was not ideal in modeling healthy communication skills, it is not too late to learn new skills and teach children positive skills.
It is possible that the child’s communication and cooperation skills have not developed. Low self-esteem, rigidity due to excessive control in their environment, bullying, exposure to substance abuse, domestic abuse or neglect can also be a contributing factor.
Excessive worry begins with exposure to or experience of a traumatic event and is often followed by anxiety and extreme fear.
Children fear being alone in the home when they are experiencing anxiety, feel unwell, or when they witness abuse or domestic violence. Often, children who fear being alone, also fear abandonment and rejection which is an indicator of poor attachment to the primary care giver.
Fear of the dark often stems from disharmony in the child’s environment. This can include exposure to conflict or abuse, illness (in the child or family member), or witnessing a traumatizing event such as a scary movie.
Conflict in the family unit, abuse and bullying can cause feelings of unworthiness in children. They internalize rejection, neglect and abuse and become judgmental of their ability and strength while questioning their self-esteem. Oftentimes, they have difficulty trusting others.
A child may begin to avoid school when he/she is struggling academically due to a cognitive disability, stress in the home, bullying in school or a mental health disorder.
Selective mutism stems from fear of authority figures, poor attachment, fear of judgement, emotional neglect or abandonment. From a very young age, children learn what is modeled to them. When a child experiences constant disapproval and judgement, they avoid speaking to certain individuals in an effort to protect themselves.
Children internalize their exposure to conflict and often blame themselves for the breakup. In addition to feeling anxious, the child often becomes the rescuer of one or both parents and takes on the role of messenger in an effort to protect the parents.
Social anxiety begins when a child is silenced or embarrassed in public or among their peers. This tends to cause the child to avoid public areas to save themselves from further embarrassment and judgement. Avoidance often leads to generalized anxiety and phobia of public places and gatherings. Najwa offers effective child counselling for anxiety.
Often, children are having fun and do not want to miss out by taking time to go to the washroom. They hold themselves as long as they can, and they end up soiling their pants. In some cases, the child is having a health issue, such as constipation, and tries to avoid having a bowel movement.
A negative experience, such as violence, loss, or crises can cause a child to experience trauma. How each child experiences trauma is based on their resiliency and tolerance to stress.
Children may withdraw and isolate from family activities, friends and social events when they are experiencing anxiety, poor self-esteem, poor attachment with caregivers & siblings, are struggling academically, abusing substances, or are being bullied.