Having a special needs child is just as much of a blessing as a child who develops normally, but that doesn't mean it's easy to take care of them. In addition to the difficulties associated with caring for a child who has special needs, the stress of doing so can take its toll on the entire family. This is particularly true for the siblings of a child with special needs, who may feel as if they are ignored or don't get as much attention as they would like to receive and for parents who feel the stress of constant caregiving. Family counseling can be enormously helpful for the entire family when a situation like this arises.
What Family Counseling Is Like
Family counseling is exactly what it sounds like. It's a form of counseling that the entire family takes part in. In some instances, every member of the family goes to the session together and participates in discussion as a family unit. In other cases, one or two family members, such as the parents, will attend sessions that other members do not take part in. The siblings of the child with special needs will also get time to speak with the counselor about how they are feeling. The goal is to ensure that each family member gets the time they need to air their concerns and worries, as well as time to work on solutions.
How Counseling Can Help the Family as a Whole
One of the primary things that family counseling can do is teach families coping skills they can utilize as a family unit, as well as coping mechanisms that help each of them on an individual basis. For example, parents of special needs children are more likely to be stressed on a daily basis, and counseling helps teach them ways to manage and reduce their stress. Similarly, counseling helps teach siblings of special needs children to speak with their parents about what they need to feel happier.
How Counseling Can Help the Child with Special Needs
Family counseling also aims to help the child with special needs function as part of a family. For example, if a child has learning disabilities, family counseling will help the child develop ways to study more effectively. For a child with behavior problems, family counseling will help the child develop coping skills to improve behavior. The goal is to allow the child with special needs to feel heard and also to feel empowered to take charge of making positive changes.
If you think family counseling could benefit your family, visit Giblin Consulting.
Share20 February 2015
When I was younger, my parents didn't like us to talk about our problems. Instead of voicing our concerns, my parents encouraged us to work on our issues privately. Although this attitude taught me a great deal about personal strength, it has made it hard for me to talk about my problems with other people. After two failed marriages, I realized that the lack of communication could hurt my ability to work well with coworkers, spouses, roommates, and friends. In an attempt to correct my bad habits, I started working with a professional counselor, which made an immediate difference in my life. I know that counseling can help you too, which is why I created a website dedicated to communication and counseling.
