cyclelady

My 9 year old is having a real hard time dealing with his emotions. He broke down yesterday and said that he doesnt want to be "this angry" and he asked for me to help him. My heart broke into a million pieces. What have I done to this poor child? To all of my children? I have stayed in a horrible marriage at the cost of my kids,they are the true victims here.

I am asking for help as to what kind of counselor do I need to seek for him? I'm not sure what questions to ask a counselor before I decide on one.

He wants to talk about his dad's drinking problems to people. We dont have alateen meetings around here. They faded out a while ago. I did buy him the alateen book and he keeps it in his bookbag. I'm not sure how often he reads it. I might start taking him to my al anon meetings with me as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!!

MissFixit

HI,

My mother has emotional issues and my father put my sister and me in therapy when we were very young. Our guy was a child therapist. We saw him every week for a while, then every other week. Then, my sister (younger) stopped going and I continued for the bulk of my childhood (moving to an adolescent specialist when i was older).

It was a proactive thing to do from my dad's perspective and probably good I went. However, as I got older I really used the time to talk out my issues with boys and friends. Insecurities that a mom would have been a better person to handle those issues with.

Since you son wants help (very mature on his part), ask your pediatrician and maybe school counsellors for recommendations. They are more familiar with the child medical community. If you have good friends who have children in therapy then ask one of them, but remember to keep the privacy of your child's issues just that, private. My dad talked to his friends freely about me and to this day, it ticks me off that he did that.

Barbara52

You can ask your pediatrician for some referrals after letting the doc know what specific issues your child is dealing with. Or if you have any friends who have children in therapy. Or ask the school counselor even.

DesertEyes

A great place to find referal is in meetings of al-anon. Ask the ladies there where they take _their_ kids and you'll get plenty of referals.

Mike

Daisy30

also if you have insurance, find out where they cover and call those places. Ask usually the secretary will try to fit you with the right councelor for what your need is.

Let them you know you need someone who deals with children and also has expeirence with addiction/alcoholism/codependency