September 16, 2025

How to Tell if Your Child’s Back-to-School Worries Need Extra Support

7 Ways to Connect with Your Child in San Diego Over Spring Break

It’s been about a month since the school year started. For many families, the first few weeks are full of excitement, new routines, and the normal jitters that come with change. But sometimes those “first day” nerves don’t fade — and parents are left wondering: When are my child’s worries just part of adjusting, and when do they signal that extra support may be needed?

At Thrive Therapy Studio, our team of therapists in San Diego often helps parents sort through this very question. Let’s look at what’s typical, and when it might be time to reach out for professional help.

Normal Adjustment vs. Ongoing Anxiety

Most kids need time to adjust to new classrooms, teachers, and expectations. Some tears at drop-off, nervousness before tests, or needing reassurance are all common in the first weeks of school.

But if it’s been a month and your child is still showing significant distress, it may be more than “normal nerves.” Our psychologists in San Diego often suggest watching for these key differences:

✅ Adjustment Anxiety: Short-lived, improves with time, and doesn’t interfere too much with daily life.
⚠️ Ongoing Anxiety: Persistent, intense, and interfering with school, friendships, or family routines.

Signs Your Child May Need Extra Support

If your child’s worries are sticking around a month into the school year, here are some signs that professional support could help:

Physical complaints: Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping
Avoidance: Refusing to go to school, wanting to stay home often, or resisting activities they used to enjoy
Mood changes: Irritability, frequent tearfulness, or withdrawing from friends
Academic struggles: Difficulty focusing, declining grades, or refusal to complete assignments
Excessive reassurance-seeking: Constantly asking if things will be okay, even after repeated reassurance

These are moments when working with a CBT therapist in San Diego can be especially helpful. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) provides kids with practical tools to manage anxious thoughts and develop confidence in facing challenges.

How Counseling Can Help

At Thrive Therapy Studio, we specialize in counseling in San Diego for children, teens, and families. Therapy gives kids a safe space to:

Understand their feelings
Learn coping strategies for anxiety
Build resilience and confidence
Practice problem-solving in real-life situations

Parents also gain support in learning how to respond effectively to their child’s anxiety — without reinforcing fears.

Final Thoughts

If your child is still struggling with back-to-school worries a month into the school year, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Extra support from a therapist in San Diego can make a big difference in helping kids adjust, thrive, and feel more confident.

At Thrive Therapy Studio, our compassionate team of psychologists in San Diego and CBT therapists in San Diego is here to support your family through the ups and downs of the school year.

💛 If you’re ready to explore how counseling in San Diego can help, reach out today — we’d love to walk alongside you and your child.

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