Child & Adolescent Therapy
Child and adolescent psychological therapy encompass many issues including:
- Abuse (Emotional, Physical, Sexual)
- Addiction (Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Pornography etc.)
- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety and Panic
- Anti-social or Unsafe Behaviours
- Attachment difficulties
- Autism
- Bereavement & Loss
- Break-ups/Separation/Divorce
- Bullying
- Challenging Behaviour
- Communication
- Depression
- Identity (Cultural, Sexual)
- Medical Issues (Emotional Impact)
- Mental Health Issues
- Neurodivergence
- Neurodiversity
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Relationships (with parents, siblings, friends, teachers)
- School Avoidance
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Self-harm
- Sexual acting out
- Sexuality
- Social Skills
- Suicidal Ideation
- Trauma
Format for Child & Adolescent Therapy
Although young people and adults attend therapy for comparable reasons there are very significant differences in how this can take place. Typically, an initial session takes place with just the parent(s). This enables an opportunity for us to gather some background information and to supply a broad overview of the therapeutic process. Subsequent to this discussion, we always meet with the child or adolescent with the parent(s), to agree the nature and structure of the therapy.
Compliant with the Children’s First 2015 legislation and IACP guidelines, there are a couple of exceptions or limitations to the confidentiality between the therapist and client. These will be outlined at the outset, as well as acknowledging that the provision of an otherwise private, safe, and non-judgemental space for the young person. This means that future conversations with the adult will only occur when the child or adolescent has requested or consented for this to happen.
Furthermore, our role in therapy is not to take sides, give advice, write court reports or evaluations, nor is it to provide diagnoses or prognoses. Sessions are typically 45 minutes in duration with the work undertaken being reviewed by the client and the therapist after the first six sessions.
Our Approach
Emotional pain occasionally increases at the outset of therapy, as the child or adolescent seeks to function without the protection of well-worn defence mechanisms. Therapy supports young people in exploring their feelings, expressing themselves, and in making sense of their life experiences. Typically, our format or approach involves:
- Selecting an appropriate model to work with the child/adolescent
- Joining with the child/adolescent at their level
- Inviting the young person to relate their story
- Enabling the release of emotions and resolution of issues
- Empowering the young person
- Supporting alternative thought processes
- Supporting alternative behaviours
Integrating play or games into the therapy with young people can facilitate a corrective experience, permitting comprehension and absorption of that which was emotionally unavailable in earlier circumstances. For these reasons and in the interest of good practice, we sometimes employ the use of various games, books, arts and crafts, breathwork, music, and materials as vehicles for the therapy. Beyond Play Therapy, other interventions that we harness when working with young people include Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gestalt Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.
Seeking support is a strength and not a weakness!
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” (Wayne Dyer)