Work with children
At times children like adults experience distress. Sometimes children (and their families) may need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions and/or behaviour.
'The child must first learn self-respect and a sense of dignity that grows out of his increasing self-understanding before he can learn to respect the personalities and rights and differences of others.' (Axline, V.M., 1964, P58)
Schools often provide professionals to help young people and their families, such as learning or behaviour mentors, family liaison officers or professionals from external services. However, some children and young people, or their families, may decide to seek further help in the form of therapy.
How is therapy for children different?
Therapy for children and young people may differ from therapy for adults and will depend on the child’s age, specific difficulties and their development. Different methods may be used to encourage children to be able to express their difficulties, such as play and art. For example, reading stories and talking about feelings of a character in that story may help the child to discuss their own feelings, or drawing/painting/drama/dance movement may help children to express themselves. These methods all give the therapist insight into the unconscious mind of the child.
Older children may prefer talking therapy, or a mixture of both, and the therapeutic approach will depend on the individual child. Different methods may be used for counselling children but the aim of therapy for both children and adults is the same; to help the individual cope better with their emotions and feelings.
How can therapy benefit children?
Counselling children and young people involve helping the child to develop a positive attitude to life, recognize their strengths and express themselves. It is non-directive and does not involve making decisions for the child, imposing beliefs on them or lecturing them. Therapy may be provided to children on their own, or it may be provided to a child as part of family therapy.
Programme Support
We offer programme support that provides one-on-one therapy to a child or
parents in their own home or in an environment in their community they might feel more comfortable. Alongside individual work, we offer programmes for parents to provide them with on-going support if they need it.
