For Children

Text Box: Hello! My name is Hans Buwalda. I am a therapist
some people call me a counselor. It is my job to
help people (children and grownups) with their
worries—things that make them sad, mad, or
scared. Everybody has worries. Sometimes these
worries get so bothersome that they take over
from the good things in life. When that happens,
people can meet with a therapist to get help sorting out their worries and feel better. WHY DO CHILDREN GO TO THERAPY?
There are plenty of reasons why children have worries that are bothering them. A lot of children have problems like: They are having a hard time getting along with other children and grown ups. Grown ups get mad at them when they don’t listen. Something very scary happened to them and it is still bothering them Someone hurt them. Their parents are fighting or getting divorced. Their parents are divorced, but still fighting, lots of times about the children. Their birth parents couldn’t take care of them and now they live with someone else. Sometimes worries get so bad that they make it hard for children to enjoy things the way they used to. Worries can cause problems for children like: Feeling sad, sometimes with lots of crying. Feeling scared, sometimes for no good reason. Feeling sick to their stomach or having headaches or other body aches. Having bad dreams. Having problems paying attention in school. Feeling like nobody likes them, sometimes not even their parents. Feeling like they are a bad kid. Arguing, getting in trouble a lot, or fighting HOW CAN A THERAPIST HELP?
A therapist is someone who can help children with their
worries. Lots of children feel better just telling someone
what is bothering them. Often the worries have taken over lots of the good things in life. Together with a therapist, children can find ways to feel better. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THERAPY?
Some kids think they’re going to have to just sit there and talk to me. But for some kids this alone would not be helpful. So, when children meet with me, we sometimes talk, and sometimes make things with the art supplies in my room. Lots of children like to use the art supplies to figure out ways that help them feel better. It is always ok with me when children want to have their parents with them in the room. For some children it is very important to have their parents with them when they meet with me, for other children it is important to meet with me alone sometimes. You, your parents, and I can figure out together what would work best. WHERE TO START.
Maybe you have worries that you would like to talk about with me. You can ask an adult like your parents or a teacher, if you can call or e-mail me. I am always happy to talk to people who call or e-mail me! (thanks to Jennifer Hayes, L.C.S.W. of California for letting me use her ‘just for children’ page to create mine!)

Text Box: Stories & Art Individual and Family Therapy Adults and Children 3020 North Kimball Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 773 370 4789 info@storiesandart.com MAP

Text Box: FOR CHILDREN

Individual and Family Therapy

Adults and Children

Johanna (Hans) Buwalda M.Ed., M.A., L.C.P.C.