Going to therapy can benefit young children, young adults, and the whole family. Whether your child has been diagnosed with a mental health issue or just needs a little extra support, working with a child psychologist can have incredible benefits. The decision to take your son or daughter to a therapist might feel scary. If you’re worried about putting your kid in therapy, you don’t need to be. Here are five ways therapy can and will help your child.

It will help him or her learn ways to cope with anxiety and depression

More and more children are diagnosed with depression or anxiety and the two disorders often go hand in hand. Your kid might be struggling with anxiety if you notice he or she is hesitant to leave you, is acutely afraid in certain situations (like sleepovers or doctor’s visits), and worries about the future. If your son or daughter is often sad, has a change in sleep or eating habits, or lacks the motivation to do fun things, he or she may have depression. A child psychologist in NYC can help your child learn to cope with these disorders. Cognitive behavior therapy can help your kid learn ways to regulate his or her emotions and develop coping strategies for getting through the day. Tackling these conditions while your child is still young will have enormous benefits in the long run.

It can provide him or her with emotional support

Children have plenty of emotional needs. They want to feel loved, respected, and valued. They need to be heard and appreciated. They want to feel like what they’re going through is valid and they need help to build their self-esteem. As a parent, you give your child emotional support, but family therapy and group therapy can help them as well. As a family, you can work with a mental health professional to build strong relationships. In group therapy, your child can learn empathy for others and gain support. This is invaluable for helping your child grow into a healthy adult.

It can give your child the confidence to try new things

Working with mental health professionals can give your child the confidence he or she is lacking. Maybe your eight-year-old has yet to have a sleepover with a friend. Perhaps your 13-year-old wants to learn to surf but feels too afraid or anxious. The skills your son or daughter learns from a therapist can help boost confidence. He or she will feel more prepared to try something new and will be begging you for surfing lessons for beginners.

It will help your kid better understand the world

A therapist can help your child learn more about the world and how it works. A great therapy session might be the first time your son learns how to change his behaviors or your daughter learns why she feels the way she does. It can be difficult for children to learn about mental health and how it affects them. A great therapist can give your child perspective on the world and how he or she fits into it.

It will help him or her to have a healthy life

As a parent, your number one goal is to make sure your child is healthy and happy. Finding him or her the right therapist will help you reach this goal. Your son or daughter will learn how to manage feelings and interact with others in positive ways. They’ll feel more well-adjusted, content, and confident. If you want to make sure your children grow up to be healthy adults, put them in therapy.

Find an amazing clinical psychologist and get your son or daughter therapy. He or she will thank you and you’ll notice incredible changes.