Your child is struggling, and it pains you so much to see them like this. Tantrums, difficulties regulating emotions, withdrawal, and behaviors that seem out of control are often signs your child is going through something really difficult for them. Maybe it’s a loss in the family, a divorce, a trauma, bullying at school, or another type of experience that is just too much for them. As well, kids often don’t have the cognitive or verbal skills to be able to express what’s going on in a way an adult might understand. We speak the language of children – play – and help them navigate their big feelings and big experiences in a space that is safe. We have a play room designed for kids where they can play, make a mess, express themselves, and lean into the safe connection we provide.
Another important thing to consider is that working with children means working with families and systems as well. Working with systems means acknowledging that no behavior exists in a vacuum. This is because the child’s behavior doesn’t exist without siblings, parents, and even family pets. Bullying or acting out at school don’t happen without classmates, teachers, and other staff. Everyone influences everyone, and often it takes this wide lens approach to actually make lasting change. This isn’t passing blame around. This is just acknowledging that all human affect and are affected by one another, and the same applies to children. It might take some effort and action on the part of a parent, a sibling, or a teacher to achieve the shift in your child that they need and you want to see.
