Thank you for asking. The complaints you have described about your daughter are suggestive of an irritable and defiant behaviour. Generally such a behaviour is also normally seen among the children of her age group, however it could also be an indication of a behavioural problem/psychiatric condition of a childhood. Observe if there are associated complaints of inattentive ness, head banging, stealing, cruelty towards animals, learning difficulty, poor academic performance, etc. Depression, anxiety during childhood does present in such a manner.

Hello. Crying spells, Temper tantrums, Irritability, withdrawn behaviour, Poor appetite , academic refusal in an eight year old child might be indicative of some emotional stressor, either at the home or at the school. Bullying at school or at home, disturbed home environment or inappropriate sexual advances are the most common cause of emotional symptoms in child. If the appetite is also affected the child may also be suffering from childhood depression. Does anyone in your family have history of mental health issues? Kindly taka the child to the psychiatrist should she need any pharmacological intervention.

Take her to a psychiatrist specialising in pediatric psychiatry who can evaluate her and tell u abt further treatment.

She doesn't  require  counselling.  She is indicating that she misses u as parents.  Attention seeking.  Tantrums are the signs of attention seeking.