Let’s be honest.
The beginning of the school year can be a little chaotic for everyone.
Kids are trying to remember where they are supposed to be, what they are supposed to bring, who they are supposed to sit with, and whether they actually have homework.
Parents are trying to get everyone out the door with shoes on.
And therapists?
We’re often sitting across from a child who is trying to communicate all of that stress without necessarily having the words for it.
Sometimes it sounds like:
“I hate school.”
“My teacher is mean.”
“Nobody likes me.”
“My stomach hurts.”
Or my personal favorite:
“Nothing’s wrong.”
Meanwhile, we’re thinking, Okay…but something tells me there might be.
Sometimes the Stomachache Is the Conversation
One of the things I love about working with children is that they don’t always communicate their feelings in the way adults do.
A child may not say:
“I’m feeling anxious about fitting in this year.”
They might say:
“I don’t feel good.”
A teenager may not say:
“I’m overwhelmed by everything that’s expected of me.”
They might slam their bedroom door.
And a child who is struggling socially may suddenly decide they don’t want to go to school at all.
As therapists, this is where we get to slow things down.
Not jump straight to fixing.
Not assume we know what’s happening.
Just get curious.
“Tell me about the part of school you don’t like.”
“When does your stomach start hurting?”
“If you could change one thing about your school day, what would it be?”
Sometimes the answers surprise us.
And Sometimes We Have to Get Creative
Kids aren’t always going to sit in a chair and tell us exactly how they feel.
Honestly, some adults don’t do that very well either.
So why would we expect a seven-year-old to?
Maybe we draw.
Maybe we play.
Maybe we use a game.
Maybe we make up a story about a character who is having the exact same problem.
Maybe we talk while doing something else.
Maybe we don’t talk much at all at first.
The important part is finding a way for the child to communicate that feels safe and natural.
We’re not trying to force the words out.
We’re helping them find the words, or another way to show us what’s happening.
And Then There’s Mom and Dad
Sometimes the child isn’t the only one who needs a little help.
Parents may come in saying:
“I ask what’s wrong and they won’t tell me anything!”
And you can practically hear the frustration.
But underneath that frustration is usually something else:
“I love my child, and I don’t know how to help.”
That is such an important place for therapy to step in.
We can help parents learn that communication isn’t always about asking more questions.
Sometimes it’s about slowing down.
Sometimes it’s saying:
“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a little different lately. You don’t have to talk about it right now. I’m here when you’re ready.”
And then actually giving the child some space.
That can be harder than it sounds.
But it can also change the entire dynamic.
We Don’t Have to Fix Everything in One Session
I think this is an important reminder for therapists, especially when working with children.
We don’t have to walk into the room and solve the entire school year.
Maybe this week we figure out why mornings are so difficult.
Maybe next week we work on the friendship issue.
Maybe the following week we’re helping Mom and Dad understand what’s happening.
Progress can be small.
A child who finally says, “I’m scared,” instead of saying, “My stomach hurts,” has made progress.
A teenager who admits, “I’m worried everyone thinks I’m stupid,” has given us something to work with.
A parent who learns to listen without immediately fixing has made progress, too.
That’s the work.
And Honestly, This Is Why This Work Matters
There is something pretty special about helping a child find their voice.
Sometimes we’re the first person they tell.
Sometimes we’re helping a parent understand something they’ve been missing.
Sometimes we’re simply giving a child a safe place to be completely honest.
And sometimes the biggest breakthrough is very small.
A child looks at you and says:
“I think I know what I’m feeling.”
That’s a pretty good day at work.
If This Kind of Work Sounds Like You…
If you’re a therapist who enjoys this kind of work—the messy, meaningful, sometimes funny, sometimes challenging work of helping real people—you might fit right in at Carolina Counseling Services.
We’re always interested in connecting with clinicians who care about their clients and want to be part of a practice where they can continue growing professionally without feeling like they have to figure everything out alone.
Maybe you love working with kids.
Maybe you prefer teens.
Maybe adults, couples, or families are more your thing.
There’s room for different specialties, personalities, and clinical approaches.
What matters most is that you genuinely care about the people sitting across from you.
At Carolina Counseling Services, we’re building a practice where therapists can do meaningful work, have support, continue learning, and still be themselves.
So if you’ve been thinking about making a change, looking for a different practice, or simply wondering what it might be like to work with us…
Come take a look.
You don’t have to make a decision.
Start with a conversation.
You might be surprised where it leads.
