Therapy During Tumultuous Times for School-Age Children in Rogers Park: What Parents Should Know

If you’re raising school-age children in Rogers Park right now, you’ve probably noticed that kids are carrying more than their backpacks to school. They’re navigating a heavy world that is full of social tension, digital pressure, academic demands, and rapid change. Children absorb so much of the world around them, and as a therapist working in Rogers Park, I see how the instability in the world is affecting behavior in classrooms and living rooms. For many children, a thoughtful approach to therapy can offer stability and relief during tumultuous times, not only in their personal lives but in the world at large.

Understanding what kids are facing

The children of Rogers Park grow up in one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, surrounded by a patchwork of cultures, languages, and family structures, which is a tremendous strength. However, with rapid-fire exposure to news, academic pressure, and shifting social norms, it’s no wonder so many families are asking, “Is my child okay?”

Kids today report higher levels of anxiety, sleep disruption, and social strain than in previous generations, and many have spent formative years adapting to remote learning or bouncing between caregivers and school schedules. Family stress related to financial insecurity, housing instability, or health concerns, as well as personal issues of identity, belonging, bullying, or fears about safety, can all affect a child’s mental well-being. Child therapy provides a safe space to process emotions, learn coping strategies, and build resilience.

What therapy offers school-age children

For children, behavior is a form of communication, and “acting out” is often “speaking out.” Unlike adult therapy, sessions for children are often structured around play, creative expression, and movement. These approaches help kids express feelings they may not yet be capable of putting into words.

In practice, therapy for school-age children might utilize a variety of techniques, such as:

• Play therapy, where toys, art materials, or role-play are used to explore feelings and experiences.

• Cognitive-behavioral techniques that can help build self-regulation skills

• Family sessions that include parents and caregivers.

• Trauma-informed care recognizes that seemingly small events, such as a move, a medical procedure, or an interruption in their schedule, can impact a child’s sense of safety.

Children feel safest when their whole world is seen. Because many families in Rogers Park come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, it’s particularly important for a therapist to lean into that by using bilingual storytelling, culturally relevant metaphors, or the involvement of extended family members when appropriate.

Signs your child may benefit from therapy

Early intervention can prevent bigger challenges later, and it communicates to your child that emotions are not shameful or isolating. Every child experiences ups and downs, but certain patterns can signal deeper distress. If you notice any of the following signs in your child for more than a few weeks, it may be time to consult a therapist:

• Changes in mood, appetite, or sleep

• Disinterest in friends or favorite activities

• Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no clear medical cause

• Declining school performance or increased school refusal

• Irritability or emotional outbursts

• Repetitive worries, nightmares, or clinginess

Supporting mental health at home

Therapy works best when reinforced at home. Parents don’t need to become therapists; they just need to model curiosity, empathy, and consistency.

• Maintain predictable routines. Structure helps children feel secure when the outside world feels uncertain.

• Name emotions openly. When parents say things like “I’m feeling worried today, so I’m taking deep breaths,” children learn that emotions can be managed.

• Limit exposure to distressing media. Even background news can heighten anxiety. Curate what they hear, and discuss difficult topics in age-appropriate ways.

• Foster connection. Shared meals, walks, or bedtime chats often become the places where children open up most naturally.

• Collaborate with teachers and counselors. Teachers, social workers, and support staff at schools are there to help, so don’t be afraid to involve them to ensure continuity of care.

How to find the right therapist in Rogers Park

You can start your search by asking your pediatrician, school social worker, or another parent for recommendations. Many local practices and community clinics in Rogers Park (including Tapestry 360 Health Centers, Family Matters, and local private practices) have clinicians trained in child and family therapy.

During an initial call, consider asking:

• “How do you involve parents in the therapy process?”

• “What approaches do you use for children my child’s age?”

• “Do you have experience with multicultural families, or do you offer sessions in languages other than English?”

These questions help ensure the therapist understands both your child’s developmental needs and your family’s cultural framework.

A final word to parents

As parents, shielding your child from every stressor is simply impossible. What children need most during tumultuous times isn’t a perfect world, but trusted adults who help them make sense of it. Therapy can be a powerful extension of that care. It gives them a space to learn that big feelings are survivable, that they have choices, and that they are safe and loved despite living in an uncertain world. If you’ve been wondering whether to reach out for help, consider this your gentle invitation.