Figuring out when your child needs extra support isn’t always straightforward. Kids, tweens, and teens all face ups and downs, and it can be tough to know what’s typical and what might be a sign of something more. If their behavior starts to impact daily life, if something just doesn’t feel right, or if they’ve asked to talk to someone, it might be time to consider therapy. Knowing common signs to look for can help you get your child or teen the support they need.

Emotional and Behavioral Signs

A pattern of emotional and behavioral signs may indicate that a child or teen is going through more than is typical. Some signs include when an individual:

• Seems sad, down, or cries a lot
• Gets angry easily or has big mood swings
• Acts out or hurt others
• Breaks things or destroys property when upset
• Pulls away from friends or family, or spends more time alone in their room
• Is less interested in doing activities or hobbies they used to enjoy
• Talks badly about themselves or says they feel like a failure
• Begins doing things again that they had outgrown, like thumb-sucking or wetting the bed

Troubles with Daily Life

Additionally, you might notice changes in how your child is functioning day-to-day, especially when it comes to school, activities, and friendships. Some common examples are:

• Changes in sleep or eating habits
• Trouble focusing in class or keeping up with assignments
• Poor grades or increased school absences
• Spending a lot of time on screens
• Shifts in friend groups or signs of stress in their social life

Worries or Fears

Some kids or teens may begin talking about worry or showing signs of anxiety. These may suddenly emerge or have always been present, but are starting to get more frequent or intense. Examples include when a child:

• Worries frequently or seems more nervous 
• Doesn’t want to go to school, travel, sleep alone, or be away from you
• Often says that their stomach or head hurts, but there seems to be no medical reason

Grief, Trauma, or Major Life Stressors

Your child or family may also have experienced big life changes or stress. For instance:

• A person or pet close to them died
• The family has experienced a divorce, big move, or other major family change
• They have witnessed or experienced something frightening or traumatic
• Bullying, whether it’s happening to them or someone else, can take a toll
• Ongoing or serious health problems can also be a major source of stress
• Some kids may be working through questions about their identity, including sexuality, gender, or adoption-related issues

When Your Gut Tells You Something’s Wrong

Sometimes there isn’t one clear sign… just a growing sense that something isn’t quite right. Others include:

• You’ve noticed something feels off, even if you’re not sure what
• As a parent, you’ve tried to help, but it feels too hard to manage on your own
• Others are encouraging you to get more support or are sharing their worries about you or your family

When Your Child Asks to Go to Therapy

When your child asks to talk to someone, it’s an important sign that they’re ready for support. Moreover, this shows they trust you enough to share their feelings and want help handling what they’re going through. Honoring their request and connecting them with a therapist can make a big difference in their well-being.

Serious Safety Signs

Some signs are more serious and may point to an urgent need for support. These include behaviors or conversations that indicate your child is in significant emotional distress:

• Your child may talk or write about death, or express a wish not to be alive
• They might hurt themselves or share thoughts of self-injury
• Acting in reckless or unsafe ways
• You may notice they’re consuming social media or watching content related to death, self-harm, drug use, or disordered eating

If you notice any of these safety concerns in your child, it is recommended that you immediately reach out for support from your child’s pediatrician or school psychologist.

However, if you don’t feel like you can wait for their support or have urgent concerns about keeping your child safe, you can contact the nationwide 988 Lifeline by calling 988. Other options include locating a crisis walk-in center or going to your nearest emergency room. In Colorado, crisis walk-in locations can be found here.

Connecting Your Child to Therapy

Recognizing these signs doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your child or teen. Rather, it simply means they may need a little more support navigating what they’re going through. Starting therapy can give your child a safe space to talk, build coping skills, and feel less alone. If you’ve noticed any of these patterns, or just have a gut feeling something’s off, trust yourself. Getting help early can make a meaningful difference.

If you’re located in Colorado and are interested in a phone consultation or in scheduling a therapy assessment with Licensed Professional Counselor Megan Vogels, MA, LPC, NCC, please Contact Us.

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