How Online Therapy Can Benefit Children With Chronic Illness & Their Families
It’s not uncommon for children with chronic illnesses to struggle with mental health issues, including depression. Even if they’re too young to know or understand the details of their condition, they likely know enough to recognize that their life isn’t what it should be.
Children with chronic illnesses don’t always get the opportunities to lead “normal” lives. They might have to undergo multiple surgeries or spend days or weeks at a time in the hospital. Maybe they’re too sick to play with friends or even go to school. There might also be the underlying feeling that time isn’t on their side.
So, it should come as no surprise that it’s exceptionally important to help and support these children as much as possible. If you’re a parent or caregiver, online therapy could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Understanding The Mindset Of Your Child
You might not be able to put yourself in your child’s shoes, but understanding where their fears are coming from or why they’re feeling so down can make a big difference in how you can support them through therapy.
Physical and mental health are more closely linked than most people realize. If your child is in a nearly constant state of pain, discomfort, or sickness, their mental well-being is likely to suffer. They might also struggle with concerns about death or how much longer they’ll be in their current state of health.
If your child does struggle with thoughts of death, they might also worry about being “replaced” somehow within the family, contributing to anxiety and extra stress.
The Need For Therapy
As a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s built-in support system. It’s important to listen to their feelings, thoughts, and even their concerns. You can provide reassurance and help them with self-care activities that can boost their mood and make them feel better about themselves.
But, one of the best things you can do for them is to allow them to work with a mental health professional. Therapy will help your child dig deeper into their fears and give them a better understanding of their feelings. It will also help them with symptom management when it comes to their mental health.
Online Therapy As An Accessible Option
Maybe you’ve never considered therapy for your child before because of their limitations or lack of accessibility in the mental health world. Online therapy isn’t necessarily new, but it’s seen a considerable growth in popularity over the last few years. One of the most significant benefits and draws is that it makes therapy accessible to almost everyone.
Your child can enjoy all of the benefits of therapy from the comfort of home. Most online therapists are also more flexible with their schedules. They can work around your child’s daily routine to hold appointments at ideal times.
If you live in an area that doesn’t necessarily have a lot of options for therapists, going online opens up a whole new world. Because online therapy is becoming more popular, more qualified professionals are jumping on board. Your child could connect with a therapist on the other side of the country. This makes it easier to find a therapist that meets your family’s needs. More importantly, someone your child feels comfortable talking to.
Is Online Therapy Right For Your Family?
It’s understandable to have questions about online therapy for your child. But, if you’ve started to notice any decline in their mental health, or if the strain of taking care of a chronically ill child is impacting your mental well-being, it’s never a bad idea to reach out for help.
If you’re interested in learning more about how chronic illness therapy can benefit children with chronic illness, feel free to contact me for information or to set up a consultation.
