There is an increasing sentiment in today’s society that will radically improve our collective mental health. Therapy is NOT for only those with severe mental issues. It is for everyone.
However your foster child is coping with the stress and trauma of being taken away from their birth parents, therapy is an important tool that you can use to help them grow to become mentally healthy. Handling the trauma often takes much more than the average parent’s knowledge is able to give. Rely on an expert’s advice to help your child, and you may see huge improvements.
Sadly, unresolved, trauma from childhood can lead to more damaging decisions in the future. If you feel like your child may need more help than you can give, it’s important that you do your duty to find them that help. This is NOT a defeat on your part. There is a reason these therapists are licensed to work with children.
You may not even be aware of the trauma your child endured before entering your care. Studies show that the majority of children in foster care have experienced some form of maltreatment. It is estimated that 90% of all the children in the foster care system have been exposed to some sort of trauma, with 72% of them experiencing neglect. This could be physical neglect, medical neglect, emotional neglect, and educational neglect. All things that a child needs to thrive.
There are multiple
A child that’s who comes from trauma may find him or herself suffering social and educationally. Therapy can give them a place to talk about their problems, as well as just relax with someone who they can trust, and only has their best interests in mind. Sometimes it can help to just hang out with an adult who isn’t their parent!
#APlacetoStay