Does My Child Need Therapy? 7 Subtle Signs Parents Often Miss
Most children won’t say, “I need to talk to someone.” Their struggles show up in smaller ways. It’s not always about big meltdowns or failing grades. Sometimes, the signs are quieter. They hide inside the routines, the behaviors that feel "normal," or the patterns a family has simply adapted around.
Here are seven signs your child may benefit from working with a skilled therapist.
1. Emotional reactions that don’t match the moment
A minor disappointment leads to a total collapse. A sibling takes a toy, and it spirals into screaming, hiding, or shutting down. These aren’t just "bad days." They can be a sign your child doesn’t have access to internal tools for regulation.
2. Constant tension around transitions
Getting out the door. Getting dressed. Going to school. Coming home. Transitions are hard for a lot of kids, but when every shift in routine feels like a battle, something deeper is often driving the resistance.
3. Exhaustion from masking
Some children hold it together all day at school, only to fall apart at home. They’re not being manipulative. They’re depleted. That pattern of emotional burnout can be common in kids who are anxious, sensitive, or neurodivergent.
4. Social disconnection or confusion
Your child wants friends but struggles to keep them. They get left out and don’t understand why. Or they’ve stopped trying altogether. Therapy can help kids explore how they relate to others and why those patterns might be hard to change on their own.
5. Recurring worries or fear-based routines
Some children ask the same questions over and over. Others become rigid about routines or rituals. Many carry a low-grade hum of worry all day long. Anxiety doesn’t always look panicked. Often, it looks like control.
6. A shift in identity or mood you can’t explain
They used to be confident. Now they seem flat or fragile. They used to love reading, now they shut down every time you suggest it. When a child changes in ways that don’t feel like a phase, trust your instinct that something might need support.
7. Family dynamics built around one child's reactions
If your entire household adjusts itself around one child’s sensitivities—where to go, what to say, how loud to be—it may be time to get outside help. You don’t have to do it alone.
How Child Therapy Helps
Therapy offers children a safe, consistent space to understand themselves and build emotional flexibility. At Sunburst Psychology, we combine play, cognitive, and relational tools to meet your child where they are—and help them move forward with more confidence.
Our child therapy services are designed for kids ages 4–17. We specialize in supporting neurodiverse children, children with anxiety, ADHD, giftedness, trauma histories, and those struggling with emotional regulation or behavioral challenges.
Our therapists use an integrative approach, drawing from play therapy, CBT, DBT, and attachment-based work. We balance symptom management with deep emotional insight—helping your child cope in the moment while building long-term internal stability. We collaborate with parents and schools to ensure support extends beyond the therapy room.
We work with families in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and surrounding areas who want more than symptom management. Our approach is personalized, thoughtful, and grounded in both compassion and clinical expertise.
