How Psychological Counselling Helps Special Kids Navigate Mental Health Challenges?

Parents and caregivers always try to provide the best to their children. They want to see them growing up into joyful, healthy and self-made individuals. But children and teenagers may face various experiences and feelings that are difficult to manage alone. Special kids also face various complexities in their inner world which needs to be addressed. Here comes the role of psychological counselling which can act as a transformative tool in supporting their well being.

What Is Psychological counselling?

It is a method where trained professionals help children or an adult to manage his or her emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues.

But the question arises , how does counselling truly benefit children with special needs?

Let us read…

Why do special kids need counselling?

Special kids often face some vocational , emotional, physical , social or other problems which they may not be able to communicate.By providing a safe and supportive environment, counsellors can help children explore their feelings , create some ways to handle challenges and strengthen their abilities to bounce back.

What do they get out of it ?

• Assistance – Counselling helps the special child to select , master , learn and handle situations or problems they face in their everyday life.
• Choice of Goals – It helps children to choose the goals wisely which will give them utmost satisfaction.
• Effective Relationship – The main aim of counselling for special children is to support them in building a positive connection with their surroundings.
• Awareness – The special kid becomes aware of his/her own capabilities , motivation , self-attitudes and to accept them.
• Treat Mental Health – It is a remarkable way to treat special children of their mental depression , anxiety or in some severe cases bipolar disorder. Counselling helps the kids in such scenarios along with facing common life challenges.
• Change in Life – It helps the child to manage the changes and challenges they face such as going to a new school, social functions , moving from one place to another and so on.counselling try to resolve these issues by teaching social skills. Special kids learn how to make friends, resolve conflicts, and understand social cues.
• Unwanted Behaviour – Special kids quite often become moody and agitated. This is due to feeling lost or becoming overwhelmed. It prevents them to stop this kind of behaviour and focus on the reason why they feel this way and find a solution to come out of this unwanted behaviour.
• Emotions – These kids sometimes feel lost , alone , isolated or sad. They don’t even want to speak to someone. Talking to a counsellor and discussing these emotional changes might make them feel relaxed.
• Academic Success – Furthermore, counselling can play an important role in supporting the child’s academic success. Mental health challenges can often interfere with a child’s ability to focus, retain information, and perform at their best in the classroom. By addressing the underlying mental health concerns, counselling can help children regain their academic motivation and achieve their full potential.

What to Expect When Your Child Starts Counselling?

When your child starts counselling he or she might feel a mixture of emotions running in their mind. Some may feel anxious , excited or eager to explore their inner world. In the initial stage an assessment is taken by the professional counsellor to get an understanding  about the child’s background , experiences, challenges faced. This evaluation is the most important step in developing a personalized treatment plan tailored to the child’s unique needs.

Slowly, the child may engage in different therapeutic approaches, which may include:

1. Individual Therapy: Personalized sessions where the child can express his or her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a supportive counsellor.
2. Family Therapy: Group sessions designed to improve family communication, deepen understanding, and tackle the dynamics affecting the child’s mental health.
3. Group Therapy: Peer-based sessions that encourage a supportive community, promote mutual understanding, and share coping strategies.

Depending on the child’s needs and the counsellor’s assessment, various therapeutic techniques may be included, such as:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps the child identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
• Play Therapy: Utilizes the power of play to help the child express and process their emotions.
• Art Therapy: Encourages the child to explore their inner world through the creative process of art-making.

Finally , we may say that psychological counselling is more than a support system that helps the kids to navigate the complexities of their mental health.

Worried about your child’s mental well-being?

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