When Should You Get Help for Your Child’s Behavior?
Every child struggles sometimes.
Every parent has yelled something they instantly regretted.
And every phase feels like it might pass—until you’re six months into daily tantrums, school avoidance, or constant power struggles and starting to suspect… maybe this isn’t just a phase.
So, when should you actually get help?
At Sunburst Psychology, we work with families across Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland who waited, hoped, tried everything, and finally asked:
“Is this just who my kid is—or is something bigger going on?”
If you’re asking the question, you probably already know the answer.
But here’s what we tell parents who want clarity, not just a hunch.
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Therapy
1. Big Emotions Are Taking Over Daily Life
If every transition is a meltdown, or your child’s reactions feel extreme compared to what’s actually happening—it’s not “too sensitive.” It’s probably dysregulation.
2. Behavior Is Affecting Relationships
When siblings start hiding, teachers are calling, or playdates are off the table, it’s a sign your child needs more support.
3. You Feel Like You’re Walking on Eggs
If you’re constantly adjusting your home life to avoid setting off a blow-up, your child’s nervous system might be in survival mode—and so might yours.
4. Your Child Seems Anxious, Withdrawn, or Down
Not all struggles look loud. If your child is suddenly avoiding things they used to enjoy, sleeping more (or less), or saying they “don’t care” about anything, they may be shutting down emotionally.
5. You’ve Tried Everything—and Nothing Sticks
When rewards, consequences, routines, and sticker charts all fall flat, the issue probably isn’t your parenting—it’s that your child needs support you weren’t meant to provide alone.
What Therapy Actually Offers
Getting help doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your child.
It means something is hard, and they deserve support.
At Sunburst Psychology, we offer therapy for kids ages 4–17 struggling with:
Emotional regulation
Anxiety, mood, or sensory issues
Behavioral challenges
Neurodivergent traits (ADHD, autism, giftedness)
Trauma, family changes, and more
Our child psychologists use integrative, relational, and play-based therapy—because real change starts with feeling safe and understood.
We also collaborate with parents and schools, so your child gets wraparound support beyond the therapy room.
Support for Parents, Too
You weren’t given a manual.
We offer parent training and consultation to help you:
Understand what’s happening under the behavior
Respond with confidence (not just reaction)
Build a calmer home dynamic
Feel like you’re doing a good job again (because you are)
Therapy for Kids & Families in Bellevue, Redmond & Kirkland
If your child is struggling—and you are too—this is the moment to reach out.
Sunburst Psychology offers evidence-based, compassionate care that helps families get back to connection, calm, and forward movement.
You don’t have to wait until things fall apart.
Let’s start now, while it’s still fixable, and you still have energy to Google things like this.
