Role of the support network: family, school, and community

This requires a solid support network in which the family, school, and community work together.

This network must be attentive to warning signs, but also be a space for active and constant listening. Validating the child, accompanying them without judgment, and providing emotional security are essential functions of this network. Coordination among all actors allows for the early detection of changes, prevents the chronicity of distress, and offers comprehensive responses.

It is important to validate the child's emotions, help them name what they are feeling, and offer solutions tailored to their age.

Many children do not know how to express their feelings in words, or feel ashamed or guilty when they do. That is why emotional validation is a powerful tool: it consists of accepting what the child is feeling without minimizing or ridiculing it.

Phrases such as “I understand why you feel that way” or “You're sad, and that's okay. Let's see what we can do” have a profound impact. From this validation, it is possible to help them identify what is going on, accompany them emotionally, and work together to find solutions appropriate for their level of development.

The family plays a central role: their active participation in treatment speeds up recovery

The family is the cornerstone of the therapeutic process. When a child receives psychological treatment, it is not enough to simply take them to the therapist. It is essential that parents or caregivers actively participate, learn about their child's condition, modify communication patterns, and review their own attitudes. Working with children must always include parents, because if the family environment does not change, recovery will be difficult. The emotional presence of adults, their time, and their sincere affection are part of the treatment.