When should I contact a counselor?

Younger Children

• fussiness and irritability, startling and crying more easily, and more difficult to console.

• falling asleep and waking up more during the night.

• separation anxiety, seeming more clingy, withdrawn, or hesitant to explore.

• hitting, frustration, biting, and more frequent or intense tantrums.

• bedwetting after they're potty trained.

• conflict and aggression or themes like illness during play.

Older Children

• changes in mood that are not usual for your child, such as ongoing irritability, feelings of hopelessness or rage, and frequent conflicts with friends and family.

• changes in behavior, such as stepping back from personal relationships.

• a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed. Did your music-loving child suddenly stop wanting to practice guitar, for example? Did your aspiring chef lose all interest in cooking and baking?

• a hard time falling or staying asleep, or starting to sleep all the time.

• changes in appetite, weight or eating patterns, such as never being hungry or eating all the time.

• problems with memory, thinking, or concentration.

• less interest in schoolwork and drop in academic effort.

• changes in appearance, such as lack of basic personal hygiene (within reason, since many are doing slightly less grooming during this time at home).