So you find that your child seems to often be on the outside of social groups that form in school, camp, and the neighborhood. He or she so desperately wants to make and keep close friends, but they are constantly either excluded from get-togethers, or maybe you see them burning through friends and you wonder if your child is doing something to push people away. Or maybe he or she is too quiet and reserved and doesn’t get into the middle of things. Or maybe your child misinterprets things other kids do or say and assume that people don’t like them or don’t want to hang out. Or perhaps your child is so desperate for friends that he or she is overly generous, perhaps giving away their belongings or snacks in school to win friends. You are worried that if these concerns continue, they may end up alone in adolescence or adulthood.
Our therapists can help with social skills, conflict resolution, assertiveness, perspective taking, and help with teaching your child to read social cues, and how to keep healthy boundaries. We can also help your child become ok with the idea that not everyone will want to be their friend, but many people will, and there are things they can do to make that happen!