Counselling for Children

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If you are considering counselling for your young child or teenager, I understand you may be having some conflicting thoughts and ideas, it’s not always an easy discussion to have with your child, so let me try and make it easier for you. You may be concerned about the stigma of mental health; nobody wants their child to ‘need counselling’ right. Wrong. It may have been viewed that way a few years ago, but definitely not now, thankfully. In recent times we have all been educated more about mental health, more people are talking openly about it. People in the public eye, people on our tv screens, professional sports players, popstars, members of the Royal family, have all been speaking out, and still are, about their own struggles and counselling journeys. This kind of healthy promotion has had a huge positive effect on the subject of mental health, which is fantastic, because talking and counselling can change lives.

Counselling for children is similar to counselling for adults: it offers a safe space and an understanding, empathetic ear. Counselling is made fun and engaging for children, using therapy games, activities and tools, allowing them the space to open up and bring about change in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. 

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Why Do Children Go To Counselling?

People turn to child counselling for many reason. Some people think these reasons are for huge topics, and then think the issues their own child are experiencing are not 'big enough' to seek help. Every issue that is making a child unhappy is big enough to seek help, whatever the reason.

It’s difficult being a child sometimes, especially during these recent times with the pandemic lockdowns, the awful situations we are witnessing all around the world. As children, we have all experienced something difficult, divorce, the death of a loved one etc. When a child is dealing with a problem that’s difficult to understand or cope with, sometimes they are able to talk with their parents or a teacher to help them to understand what’s going on. Sometimes a little chat and guidance is all it takes to help them figure out what is bothering them and how to try and work it out. 

But there may be times when you and your child could do with a little more help. If you are experiencing one of those times, and you think you could do with some professional help and insight, please feel free to drop me a line. Whether your child is dealing with a particular problem, or they’re just struggling with our rapidly ever-changing world, there are many different types of counselling techniques that can help.

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What Happens Next?

Like with adults, just the thought of going to a counsellor's office can be scary for children. Research shows online counselling achieves the same outcomes as in-clinic counselling, and actually, the majority of young people prefer it, not surprising because of the digital world we live in. If you come to me for counselling with your child, we will ALL work together as a team. You, your child and I, will enter a counselling relationship in the same way as I do with adults, but we will work in a slightly different way, by bringing fun and education into it. 

It's entirely up to you if you involve your child’s input in your first contact, maybe you would just like to test the water first and introduce your child to the idea of therapy tools, this may also make the conversation about someone ‘helping’ them easier. Or you may wish to include your child from the beginning, where I can introduce myself to them and explain that I am here to help. All that will depend on a few things, the age and development of your child, the issues they are experiencing, how they will react to outside help etc. That judgement is yours; you know your child better than anyone and know how they will react.  

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How I Can Help

I can provide you and your child with digital books, interactive therapy tools, worksheets, journals etc, to help you on your way. These tools are fantastic, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. Using playful activities during counselling can remove any potential pressure that your child may feel. Any therapy tools I provide following a session are all included in the fee. 

As you work through the therapy tools tools at home with your child, even after just one session you might just think, "I've got this!"  and will feel confident enough to carry on without me. Fantastic if that happens. On the other hand, if you feel you and your child will benefit from more sessions and helpful therapy tools, the child therapy discounted sessions may work best for you. The IM service works great during child therapy as it provides the opportunity for your child to get involved with the live conversation and what's going on with them.

   

 

What We Will Focus On

I will not delve into your child’s past; we will speak of it briefly to determine how and why they are in their current situation, following that, we will focus on being present and forward oriented.

We will encourage your child to develop positive coping methods, boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence, highlighting their positive strengths and traits, and working towards a positive and optimistic future.

As you and your child go through your counselling journey, we will focus on resolving their conflict, help them to understand their own thoughts and feelings, and come up with solutions to work through and overcome their concerns.