Therapy?

Posted: Tue, Aug 24 2010, 6:50 pm Post subject: Therapy?

At what point do you decide that your child needs professional help?
My 9 yr old daughter's self-esteem is so low. She's convinced that no one wants to be her friend. She says she feels "different" from everyone else. It doesn't help matters that a classmate of hers lives on the block, and this girl is very mean to my daughter, to the extent that my daughter didn't even want to go outside just now because it would mean walking past this girl. She actually said to me, "I don't want to go anywhere near her. It makes my whole body shake to walk past her."
She recently asked me for a diary so she could let her feelings out (her words). She said that having the diary will make her feel better, that it'll be her friend.
And I live in the NY area, if anyone knows of a therapist who can help her, I'd really appreciate it

Posted: Tue, Aug 24 2010, 9:17 pm Post subject: re: Therapy?

I don't know enough about 9 year olds to answer this question. But it seems to me, if she's that afraid of the neighbor, she might be bullied by that girl. And it could be that girl is constantly feeding your daughter the above stuff, that she's not good etc...
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Active Poster Joined: May 31 2009 Posts: 96

All I can say is don't wait to get help. These things only get worse if not dealt with. At least go and get the therapists opinion. The worst that happens is you find out she doesn't need it but at least you did your histadlus. I have heard that play therapy is the way to go, much less threatening to the child.

Active Poster Joined: Apr 13 2007 Posts: 82

amother, how's it going with your daughter?

I just wanted to add that I agree with "life'sgreat" that your daughter is probably being bullied. American Girl put out a book on bullying for both parents and girls called Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends: Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness and Finding a Better Way by Patti Kelley Criswell. You may want to get a copy of it to find stratagies of coping for your daughter.

Also, I just wanted to add, that in my experience, kid's self esteem improves if they are good at something. What is it that you daughter is good at or wants to learn more about? Does she like swimming, crafts and/or is artistic, music? You may want to look into a hobby for her.