How to Help Your Child Overcome
back to school anxiety
Rebecca Sidoti, LCSW
VR Therapist
OCD & Anxiety Expert
Kristin Justice
Grief & Loss
Stress & Adjustments
Alicia Alarco-Hernandez
609-300-6481
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Though there may not be a playbook for helping your child overcome school anxiety, we hope that this blog helps both you and your child this back-to-school season! As a concerned parent, we understand the importance of creating a supportive environment for your child’s mental well-being. In this article, we will delve into practical strategies and techniques to address school anxiety, ensuring your child’s smooth transition back to school.
Understanding School Anxiety
School anxiety is a common challenge that many children face, particularly during the back-to-school season. It can manifest in various forms, such as separation anxiety, social anxiety, or performance anxiety. As parents and educators, it is crucial to recognize the signs of anxiety and implement appropriate interventions to foster a positive learning experience for your child.
Creating a Nurturing Environment
Establishing a Safe Space
First and foremost, create a safe and nurturing environment at home. Encourage open communication, where your child feels comfortable expressing their fears and concerns. Actively listen to them without judgment, validating their emotions and experiences.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Promote a growth mindset, emphasizing that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process. Teach your child that setbacks are opportunities to grow and improve. By embracing a growth mindset, your child will develop resilience and face challenges with a positive attitude.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Promote a growth mindset, emphasizing that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process. Teach your child that setbacks are opportunities to grow and improve. By embracing a growth mindset, your child will develop resilience and face challenges with a positive attitude.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Set achievable academic and social goals for your child. Avoid putting excessive pressure on them to perform perfectly, as this may exacerbate their anxiety. Instead, celebrate their efforts and progress, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Building Strong Relationships
Foster Positive Relationships with Teachers
Establishing a strong connection between your child and their teachers can significantly impact their school experience. Reach out to teachers early in the school year, introducing yourself and expressing your support for your child’s education. Regularly communicate with teachers to stay informed about your child’s progress and any challenges they may be facing.
Encourage Healthy Friendships
Friendships play a crucial role in a child’s emotional well-being. Encourage your child to participate in social activities and help them develop healthy friendships. Organize playdates or join extracurricular clubs where they can interact with peers who share similar interests.
Practicing Coping Techniques
Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises
Teach your child mindfulness and deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help them manage anxiety during stressful situations. Encourage them to take a moment to breathe deeply and focus on the present moment whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Visualization and Positive Affirmations
Teach your child mindfulness and deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help them manage anxiety during stressful situations. Encourage them to take a moment to breathe deeply and focus on the present moment whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Practicing Coping Techniques
Gradual Exposure
If your child’s anxiety is related to separation from you, practice gradual exposure. Start by leaving them for short periods and gradually increase the time away. Assure them that you will return and gradually build their trust in your absence.
School Visits
Take your child to visit the school before the academic year starts. Familiarize them with the surroundings and introduce them to teachers and staff. Knowing the school layout and faces can alleviate anxiety on the first day of school.
Create a Routine
Children thrive on routines, so establish a consistent daily schedule that includes time for schoolwork, play, meals, and rest. A predictable routine provides a sense of stability, reducing anxiety.
Seeking Professional Support
School Counselors
If your child’s anxiety persists or significantly impacts their well-being, consider involving the school counselor. Professional counselors can offer valuable support and guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
Therapy and Support Groups
Therapy or support groups can be beneficial for children experiencing severe anxiety. These interventions provide a safe space for them to share their feelings and learn coping skills from peers facing similar challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, helping your child overcome school anxiety during the back-to-school season is possible with a combination of understanding, support, and practical strategies. By creating a nurturing environment, building strong relationships, practicing coping techniques, preparing for the school routine, and seeking professional support when needed, you can empower your child to embrace learning with confidence and enthusiasm.
Remember, every child is unique, and it’s essential to tailor your approach to their specific needs and personality. Be patient, empathetic, and persistent in your efforts, and most importantly, celebrate every milestone achieved.
FAQ's about online therapy with mind by Design
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page shares a small blurb about Why We Left Insurance Panels
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that teletherapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether teletherapy is working for you.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
Your therapist respects boundaries
You’re moving towards your goals
You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life
Your self-esteem is getting better
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
What Equipment is Needed for Online Therapy?
To join a session, log in using the credentials we provide. No downloads are needed. Our platform, compatible with both individual and group sessions, requires:
A computer or mobile device with a webcam and internet access.
We’ll help you test your setup before your first appointment to ensure a reliable connection. iOS users should use the Safari browser for mobile and tablet sessions.
What Questions Will Therapists Ask Me?
It depends on your goals. Expect questions about your thoughts, feelings, relationships, work, school, and health. They’ll ask to understand your therapy goals.
How Do You Keep Client Information Secure?
Security and Confidentiality of Sessions:
Your privacy is crucial to us. We use TherapyNotes, a HIPAA-compliant platform, ensuring secure and confidential teletherapy sessions. This platform’s security features include encrypted video connections, secure data transfers, and encrypted databases, ensuring your information is safe at all times.
What is VRT used for?
we use VRT to support Exposure Therapy, a long standing traditional therapy modality to treat phobias, anxiety and stress. we send a headset directly to your home so you can access VRT from anywhere.
VRT not only helps with exposure therapy for phobias, but is great for ADHD, mindfulness, PTSD and social anxiety.