Does My Child Need Help
Knowing when to seek therapy takes a lot of consideration.
Here’s some indicators that may help you decide.
A good marker is to consider if the child’s behaviour is interrupting their own life or the lives of those around them in significant ways and for a prolonged amount of time.
Then, it might be a good time to discuss their referral needs with a professional.
Who to refer to?
Many people describe confusion when seeking mental health for children..
There are 3 primary domains of mental health.
Psychiatry
“Psychiatrists are doctors who look after patients with mental health problems. They assess patients, make diagnoses, they may investigate medical problems, offer advice, and recommend different treatments including medication, counselling or other life style interventions” – taken from irishpsychiatry.ie – July 2020.
Psychology
Psychologists have the professional training and clinical skills to help people learn to cope more effectively with life issues and mental health problems. When working with children you could work with an educational psychologist, who are Psychologists who work within the context of education support schools and the local authority to improve all children's experiences of learning. They use their training in psychology and knowledge of child development to assess difficulties children may be having with their learning.
Psychotherapy
This is me!
“Play therapists who are also psychotherapists are mental health professionals and, in addition to the range of services offered by play therapists, are also qualified to provide psychological treatment to clients with complex emotional needs and issues. This includes children and adolescents who have experienced adversity, experience chronic distress, and who may struggle with emotional, psychological, or mental health related difficulties.
This highly specialised practice is designed to help facilitate personal growth, alleviate distress and overcome emotional and behavioural problems. It is concerned with resolving issues, building resources, repairing damage and restoring (or enabling for the first time) positive mental health. It plays a significant role in reorganising the personality and helping those who have experienced developmental trauma that has interrupted or distorted development to enable and maximise their true potential.
Psychotherapists with a specialisation in play therapy are uniquely qualified to provide developmentally appropriate psychotherapy for children across the spectrum of needs including those with significant clinical issues, e.g. disrupted and disorganised attachments, histories of neglect, experiences of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and those whose development has been distorted by living in situations of chronic distress, unpredictability and lack of supportive, attuned caregiving. Resolution of psychological and/or psychiatric issues that compromise the child’s healthy interactions with the world can be achieved through developmentally appropriate, play-based, and fun sessions. This is the best treatment option for a distressed child or adolescent with complex needs” – Childrens Therapy Centre Website – childrenstherapycentre.ie