Recommend your therapist to work on emotion regulation
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Anonymous
| My DD is a generally happy, social 6 year old. She does have trouble when she has difficultly with a task and gets frustrated. It often ends in a complete meltdown and it takes a while for her to calm town. I am considering some therapy for her, but I have no idea what kind of therapist to search for. Suggestions are much appreciated. |
Anonymous
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Does she have an existing diagnosis?
A social skills group might be helpful b/c it's a way to practice regulation skills in a safe place. |
Anonymous
| Location? |
Anonymous
| No diagnosis. We are in Arlington but I would travel to DC or MD for a good therapist. |
Anonymous
Does she have specific triggers? Is it being told "no," stopping a particular activity etc.? This might be more of a parenting issue than a child one. If you learn how to better manage the meltdowns, she might have fewer. Just a thought. I would check out this group: http://www.parentingplaygroups.com |
Anonymous
It happens at school too. Any recs for a therapist that works on emotion regulation in young children? |
Anonymous
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Carolyn Wolfe in Falls Church
http://www.carolynlmft.com/default.html |
Anonymous
You'll still have to identify her triggers. A therapist won't be able to solve the problem if there's not a structure at home to support behavior change. |
Anonymous
| Get a cognitive behavioral therapist. I wouldn't waste my money on anything else. |
Anonymous
| I agree with seeing someone for parenting. You'll save a lot of time and money, and you'll help her much faster. |
Anonymous
I disagree. Behavioral therapists are much more helpful when kids are young, especially for emotional regulation. Kids can't often articulate why they're upset, why they can't recover quickly. CBT is too much talking, not enough doing. |
Anonymous
| Weaver and associates in McLean. Play therapy and can help with school and home strategies for avoiding meltdowns. |
Anonymous
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I bought a book "Unstuck and on Target" and went through it with my DC over the summer (instead of spending $$ enrolling in the Ivymount social skills program). We practice when DC is NOT anxious, e.g. Plan A/Plan B, deep breathing while counting 1 to 10, taking break. We also use "green, yellow, read zone" regulation state. And emotional coaching, validating DC feelings ("I know that you feel _, because _" or "You look like you are upset and in the yellow zone. Let's pause and think about what's the problem... What's Plan B if Plan A isn't working."
Honestly, the hardest part is for me to stay regulated and emotionally coach DC before/during the meltdown. |
Anonymous
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Child psychologist Dr. Maya Coleman is phenomenal and will you teach you a daily technique called special time to do w/your child that allows them to safely unload their feelings and be much better regulated at school. She has worked wonders for us and specializes in working w/younger children. She is based in DC, here is her website:
http://www.mayacolemanphd.com/about/ |