Child & Adolescent Therapy

Myth: Mental Health and Psychiatric disorders are a result of bad parenting.

Fact: While a child’s environment or home life may intensify a psychiatric disorder, it does not cause the disorders. Parents aren’t to blame and is able to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, behavioral issues or learning disorders by being supportive and providing care.

Myth: If my child goes to therapy, they will be put on medications.

Fact: Going to therapy does not automatically mean that a person will be prescribed medications. However, some mental health diagnosis are better managed with medications. If the therapist feels that medication should be explored, there will be a referral for psychiatry. The final decision is up to the parent or young adult. No one is ever forced to take medication.

Trauma

Myth: Trauma is only experienced by those living in low income communities and dangerous environments.

Fact: Trauma is inevitable and can be experienced by anyone. The longer we exist, the greater the chance of us having some sort of traumatic experience. Trauma is a response to a severely stressful event, which prevents and overwhelms a persons’ ability to cope.

Myth: Children are sometimes too young to be affected by things that has happened to them in early childhood (ages 0-5).

Fact: The most critical time of a child’s developmental years are between the ages of 0-5. During this time, children learn whether the world is safe or unsafe for them. They can be affected by things such as medical conditions, family separations, witness to violence, passing of a loved one, and so many more. Even children as young as 2 months old can be affected by certain experiences. The child may not remember the incident but the body records and reacts to such traumas.