Nowadays, there are many situations that can overwhelm a child’s capacity for understanding and bring on intense emotional states that seem unresolvable to parents and children alike.

Children 12 years and younger, who have just begun exploring the world and society, are especially vulnerable to such confusing situations. But there is help. A child in treatment has the opportunity to learn new and effective coping mechanisms that can help free him from past losses, unnamed feelings, and complicated, troubling experiences.

Studies show that children and young people who receive psychotherapy are more trusting and self-confident than those who do not receive psychotherapy. They are also more likely to exhibit age-appropriate behavior and show a greater awareness and concern for other people.

Parents who want to understand what is happening with their child can learn many things from a qualified specialist. Child psychologists can offer useful suggestions about novel parenting techniques, suggest methods of communicating with children that parents may not be aware of, and, in general, serve as a rich resource for knowledge about the developmental stages that children go through and their needs at each stage.

Thus, the right specialist–one who is knowledgeable, has years of experience, and is sensitive to the background and experience of the child–can make a decisive difference in the child’s life and help him grow up to be a happy, healthy, and successful adult.