Children and Young People
What do I offer?
I offer sessions for children from the age of 8 upwards. There is no minimum number of sessions which you would need to book, rather it is based on the needs of your child. Sessions are age appropriate and come from an integrative counselling approach using Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.t
Alongside the ‘Talking Therapies’, I use play and art therapy for those children and young people who may benefit from it. These are effective therapeutic approaches which can provide a safe and creative space for children and young people to express their emotions, process their experiences, and develop coping mechanisms including relaxation, acceptance, life skills and problem-solving skills. Play and art therapies can help children build resilience and develop a positive outlook on life.
What are some of the benefits of counselling?
Counselling can provide significant benefits for children and young people. It provides a safe space for children to express their feelings, process their experiences, and understand the impact of events and issues in their lives. Depending on the issues your child has counselling can give the opportunity to recover, to heal, build resilience, and to develop the skills they need to thrive in life. Other recognised advantages of counselling can include:
- Increased focus: Counselling can help children manage stress and anxiety, allowing them to concentrate better in school or college.
- Improved behaviour: Counselling can help children develop better coping mechanisms, leading to improved behaviour in the classroom and at home.
- Increased emotional regulation: Counselling can help children and young people in managing their emotions effectively, reducing the likelihood of impulsive or harmful behaviours.
- Strengthen Family Relationships: Counselling can teach children and their families healthy communication skills, fostering stronger relationships.
- Counseling can help children develop a sense of self-efficacy, believing in their ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Differences Between Counselling for Children/Young People and Adults.
When an adult wants to embark on counselling, they contact me to arrange a complimentary 30-minute session. This session allows them find out about the counselling process, the therapeutic agreement and it gives the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity. Importantly, this meeting allows us to get to know one another, gives them the opportunity to decide if they are comfortable working with me and whether they are happy to have me as their counsellor. They can then choose to book sessions. The process is different when a parent contacts me for their child.
When you contact me for your complimentary session, I will explain that regardless of the age of the person for whom counselling is being sought, they must be a willing participant - counselling cannot be 'done to' anyone. It is expected that your child knows you are seeking counselling for them, they understand the reasons and they agree to it. Therefore, I see children aged 8 and over, as they are more likely to understand the situation and express their thoughts, emotions, and opinions during the counselling process.
We then arrange an initial session with you and your child where I will talk about safeguarding, disclosure and confidentiality (in an age-appropriate way), so that everyone understands and has the opportunity to ask questions. We’ll outline the key issues that we will address, look at some of the hopes, aims and outcomes for counselling and, if your child is happy to work with me, we’ll set a day and time for the first session.
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