MY PSYCHOTHERAPY WORK WITH CHILDREN
WHAT IS IT?
Children will often express their inner struggles in confusing and distressing ways: either by withdrawing into themselves, or by acting out in angry or aggressive ways. Your child might experience overwhelming feelings or destructive thoughts that they are not able to understand or communicate. This can be challenging for family, carers, friends and education workers as well as for the child themselves.
The source of these difficult feelings might be a life event such as loss, a developmental challenge such as separation, or a difficulty with making sense of the world around them. Psychodynamic psychotherapy, which gives children a space in which to explore how they see the world with a skilled observer and listener, has been shown to help them and those around them make sense of what is going on. Through this greater understanding everyone involved is able to better meet their needs, and the child becomes, in time, equipped with the resources they need to meet the challenges.
MY WORK
I work with children from the age of 4 years with a wide range of issues in an age-appropriate way. The room has a selection of toys and creative materials for the child to engage with, and it is often through the child’s play that I and the child begin to understand what is preoccupying them. Through our therapeutic relationship we can begin to find the language to help the child make sense of what is going on in their inner world. Sessions usually last 50 minutes, although they may be shorter for younger children.
As children change, those around them most often also need to make adjustments. I work in partnership with parents and carers, and will have regular review sessions with them to explore how they can best support their child and each other. Sometimes it may be appropriate to see the child with one or both parents or carers.
I am also happy to work with the schools attended by my clients, if requested.
If you would like further information, please look at my FAQs page, or contact me directly via the button below