Why does my child find school so stressful?

School-related stress is a common issue that many children face but parents often feel helpless as nothing they say to comfort their child seems to help. 

It can be an extremely worrying time when your child experiences stress and anxiety about something that is unavoidable – SCHOOL. The concerns about your child’s well-being, especially when it comes to school-related stress, can be overwhelming. You may have noticed changes in your child’s behaviour, sleep patterns, or academic performance, leaving you feeling concerned and unsure about how to best support them.

In 2020, the Children’s Commissioner asked almost 2,000 8 to 17- year-olds about stress. Two thirds (66%) of the children they interviewed stated they felt most stressed about homework and/or exams, ahead of worrying about what other people think of them (39%) and bullying (25%).

School-related stress can manifest in various ways. Does your child experience any of the following symptoms?

Physical Symptoms:

    • Headaches or Stomach aches: Complaints of frequent headaches or stomach aches without any apparent medical cause.
    • Fatigue: Constant tiredness or physical fatigue, which can impact a child’s overall energy levels.

Emotional and Behavioural Changes:

    • Irritability: Increased irritability, mood swings, or emotional sensitivity.
    • Withdrawal: Social withdrawal, avoiding friends, or spending more time alone.
    • Changes in Eating Habits: Significant changes in appetite, such as overeating or undereating.

 

I can support your child with these emotional challenges at my therapy room in Cardiff.

 

Academic Changes:

    • Decline in Academic Performance: A noticeable drop in grades or a sudden struggle with assignments.
    • Procrastination: Delays in completing homework or projects due to an overwhelming fear of failure.

Behavioural Issues:

    • Disruptive Behaviour: Acting out in class or displaying disruptive behaviour as a way to cope with stress.
    • Avoidance: Avoiding school or specific classes due to anxiety about performance or social interactions.
    • Absenteeism: Frequent absences from school without any apparent physical illness.
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I will work with your child in my therapy room in Cardiff and arm them with strategies to adjust their behaviour.

Emotional Distress:

    • Anxiety: Heightened anxiety, particularly related to academic performance, exams, or social interactions.
    • Low Self-Esteem: Negative self-perception, feeling inadequate, or having a diminished sense of self-worth.

Perfectionism:

    • Fear of Failure: An intense fear of making mistakes or not meeting high personal standards.
    • Overemphasis on Grades: Placing excessive importance on grades as a measure of self-worth.

Sleep Disturbances:

    • Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often due to worries about school.
    • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams or nightmares related to academic stress.

In addition to NLP techniques, I can support your child in my therapy room in Cardiff with relaxation and hypnotherapy.

Physical Changes:

    • Change in Weight: Noticeable changes in weight due to changes in eating habits or stress-related factors.
    • Tension and Muscle Aches: Increased tension in muscles, which may result in headaches or other physical discomfort.

Regression:

    • Reversion to Earlier Behaviours: Behaving in ways typical of a younger age, such as thumb-sucking or bedwetting, as a response to stress.

If this sounds like your child, don’t delay in taking action!

Have you had any of the following experiences when you have tried to engage with your school about this issue:

  • The school has tried to help but they did not have the appropriate level of support available;
  • Your child was offered a few sessions at school but due to high demand/lack of resources; sessions were limited.
  • The school is frustrated with your child and are no longer interested in helping;
  • The school offered no support.

According to Childline, 30% of the children who called talked about their mental and emotional health (2018/2019). 4% of children and young people talked about their problems in school or with education, exam pressures, exam depression, concerns about performance, post-exam stress, not coping with workload, new school worries, or problems with teachers.

How can I help?

I am an NLP Practitioner based in Cardiff who specialises in working with children, offering support and teaching a range of techniques that they can adopt to overcome stress and anxiety. Don’t let school-related stress hinder your child’s growth. Embrace the transformative power of NLP and pave the way for a brighter, more confident future. Together, let’s empower your child to not only cope with mental health challenges but to flourish in the face of them.

I’ve submitted an enquiry, what happens next?

Once I receive your enquiry, I’ll give you a call to introduce myself, answer any questions you may have and book a free online consultation for you and your child.

During the 30-40 minute consultation, you, your child and I will have a chat together so we can get to know each other and I can understand what you child believes is the cause of their issues. I will aim to put them at ease so they feel comfortable before meeting me in person.

We will agree a time and date for your child’s first face to face appointment in a beautiful therapy room in central Cardiff. This session will last 1 hour. The cost of the sessions are £90 each.

On average, I see children for 4-5 consecutive sessions. 

FAQs                                          

  1. What’s the difference between NLP and CBT?

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is similar to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as they are both talking therapies. The main difference between the two is that CBT focuses on managing current thinking and behavioural patterns, whereas NLP taps into the unconscious mind. This helps to discover where a belief stems from and then eliminate it at its roots.

  1. Some of the CBT and counselling sessions I have found seem much cheaper. Why does NLP cost more?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Counsellors often work with their clients over a number of months. NLP offers a quicker solution as it teaches the clients techniques that they can draw on as and when they need them. These techniques can be used throughout the client’s life.                                        

  1. How many sessions will my child need?

This depends on the issue that your child would like to address, but on average, I see clients 5-6 times.

  1. Should I attend the face to face sessions with my child?

Following the initial consultation with you and your child, I find that the face to face sessions work better on a non to one basis. Children often defer to their parents to do the talking when they are in the room, so your child will get more out of the session, answer honestly and concentrate more if parents are not watching over. I will however ensure I send you an email after the sessions to confirm how things are going.

  1. Where do the sessions take place

Consultations will be conducted via Zoom and 1-2-1 sessions take place in a beautiful therapy room in Central Cardiff. The address is:

The Body Mind Clinic, 128 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 1DH

Free parking for clients.

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