When a child feels excluded or unable to take part because of who they are, it can affect their confidence and sense of belonging. Support can help them build self-esteem, develop strategies to navigate exclusion and feel more included in the spaces that matter to them.
Whether your child is LGBTQ, not able-bodied, of colour, of a different wealth status, or has learning difficulties, they may find themselves on the outer circle of social/educational groups or interactions. This can be difficult for any child. It can also lead to low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, if left undealt with. Fortunately, there are ways this can be helped.
A child not fitting in, in some way, is an experiencing that can be distressing for them and may hurt their self-esteem. It can also be tough to watch someone go through. However, there are evidence-based treatments for dealing with exclusion and inaccessibility. There is a lot that we at Northside Psychology can do to support and guide your child through this tough time. Hopefully it will help them overcome/manage these issues.
We can work closely with your child to help them develop skills of how to tackle exclusivity and self-confidence, as well as working with family members for strategies of dealing with overcoming these barriers. Therapies can include stress and anxiety management and CBT, as well as assistance with self-esteem, assertiveness, communication and social skills, and school engagement. Family therapy can also be a good way of dealing with situations as a group, rather than as individuals.
Whatever brings you here, we’re here to help you find support that feels right for you. Our experienced team provides thoughtful, evidence-based care for children, teens, adults, couples and families, in-person and via telehealth.