Why You Should Consider Counselling in Nurturing Your Child’s Wellbeing

unselling for children is predominantly seen as a last resort for managing challenging behaviours, with children typically visiting a counsellor only upon instruction from a teacher or principal, while parents seldom consider counselling for their children.

However, counselling goes beyond managing difficult behaviours in children. Its true essence lies in providing a secure and supportive environment where children can freely express their thoughts and share their stories with a professional who possesses the skills to actively listen and offer expert advice and guidance.

Benefits of Counselling in Nurturing Your Child’s Wellbeing

A child’s well-being encompasses intellectual, emotional, moral and social development. While educational institutions are mostly responsible for the intellectual development of a child, a professional counsellor can provide added support in other areas of development, such as emotional and moral. The benefits of counselling include;

Children experience various emotions as they grow and face different life transitions. Counselling offers them a confidential and non-judgmental environment to explore and express their feelings. Children can better understand and manage their emotions through guided discussions and therapeutic techniques, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.

Life presents children with numerous challenges, such as academic stress, peer pressure, and family dynamics. Counselling provides them with tools and strategies to cope with these challenges effectively. Through goal-setting, problem-solving exercises, and resilience-building activities, children develop a sense of empowerment and learn how to navigate obstacles in a healthy and constructive manne

Children who receive counselling often experience an improvement in self-esteem and self-awareness. They develop a stronger sense of identity and build a positive self-image by exploring their strengths, interests, and values. Counselling fosters self-reflection and helps children recognise and appreciate their unique qualities, promoting a healthy self-esteem that serves as a solid foundation for their overall well-being.

Counselling plays a vital role in identifying and addressing early signs of mental health concerns in children. A trained counsellor can assess, diagnose, and provide appropriate interventions for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavioural challenges. The early intervention significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and helps children develop healthy coping mechanisms for long-term well-being.

Nigeria is a unique country facing a range of challenges and problems that even the most resilient adults struggle to cope with. It is not hard to imagine that children are also grappling with issues that may require the guidance of professional counsellors. We know the story of the popular Nigerian father who consistently ranked first in class despite having to walk 100 miles to school. This false standard creates unnecessary pressure on children and hinders their ability to excel academically. Consequently, children are tirelessly striving to meet an unrealistic benchmark. By providing access to counsellors, they can openly share their burdens and receive expert guidance on setting and achieving educational goals. Children face other difficulties they have to handle emotionally, such as divorces, financial challenges, and even instances of sexual abuse.

The popular adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” couldn’t be more relevant. While parents bear the primary responsibility for their children’s upbringing, the assistance of experts will be more beneficial than detrimental. Sometimes, a child may feel reluctant to confide in their parents or parents themselves may lack the expertise to handle certain situations. This is where counsellors play a vital role.

A recent incident involved a 15-year-old girl who forged her Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result, highlighting the need for intervention. There are also distressing stories of children enduring severe physical harm due to undetected bullying. Furthermore, child abuse often goes unreported until the harm inflicted becomes irreparable.

Promoting access to and encouraging children to seek counselling can have a profound impact on their overall development. With Roducate, children can engage in online counselling sessions with trusted counsellors. Numerous children have already utilised our “Seek Counseling” services, providing them with round-the-clock assistance and expert guidance. Roducate provides resources that address a child’s overall development.

Remember that seeking counselling for children is not a sign of weakness but rather a proactive step toward nurturing their holistic well-being. Together, let us create an environment where children’s mental health is valued and counselling is recognised as an essential component of their overall development.