Psychotherapy is similar to counselling but enables the therapist to both think and work at a deeper process level. We consider how the structure of the client’s personality and behaviour is affecting their experience of relationships and being in the world. Sometimes our young clients are not currently conscious of why they feel and behave in certain ways. Through connection with psychotherapy, their contributing thoughts, feelings and emotions are brought into awareness.
In working together to create a trusted and safe relationship a psychotherapist and child or young person can begin to understand themselves better, affecting the way they can manage their emotions and feelings. They can start to recognise and work to change unhelpful responses and patterns in their current behaviour.In working together to create a trusted and safe relationship a psychotherapist and child or young person can begin to understand themselves better, affecting the way they can manage their emotions and feelings. They can start to recognise and work to change unhelpful responses and patterns in their current behaviour.
What theories of psychotherapy are used?
I am qualified with an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents, registered with both BACP and UKCP. My integrative psychotherapeutic approach while working with children allows me to tailor my approach for a young client using theories from psychoanalysis and Gestalt theory, backed by current neuroscience, Polyvagal and somatic theories. I use these theories to inform my understanding of children’s developmental traumas which may now show as problematic adjustments to their present day thinking and behaviour. I believe the relationship which forms over time between the therapist and child acts as the central point for the psychotherapeutic process to unfold. The open-ended length of work I offer also lends itself to this depth of work and is suitable for any issue a child or young person experiences as well as the specific needs of neurodiverse children.
How is psychotherapy done with children and young people?
I use a combination of talking therapy, interpretative play, and the use of creative mediums such as arts, crafts and sand tray. These techniques enable engagement in an age-appropriate way accommodating each child’s differences and abilities to communicate.
Arts and crafts alongside play with toys and using imagination enables children to show you in their own actions and narratives their experience of life. These activities are not done alone, the therapist is usually collaboratively participating with these games and crafts, or present in a supportive observational role. This is an essential part of gaining closeness to the child’s problems, to join with them in this experience, acknowledging and validating with them, and supporting their needs. It is the place where we can support children to start to process and make sense of their difficult experiences.
Talking therapy is used in conjunction with other techniques to further our understanding of the child or young person’s needs, to help them to process their experiences. It is also sometimes a more appropriate way for a child or young person to choose to share their experience with you. Each child is very different.