Children and Young People

I feel so fortunate to be living and working during a time where our understanding of child development, childhood trauma, generational trauma and mental health and wellbeing continually grows momentum for proactive and effective change to minimalise the risk of developing long-term adult mental health issues.

Supporting our children and young people’s well-being is important because:

• it is fundamental to their overall physical and mental health
• supports them to overcome difficulties
• gives confidence and a positive self-esteem
• helps support positive relationships with other children, young people and adults
• supports healthy growth and development
• supports positive behaviour.

Approaches and Techniques I Use

• Person-Centered Therapy – this approach evolves around the healing potential of the therapeutic relationship utilizing empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence to build a repport.
• Solution-Focused Coaching – this approach concentrates on helping clients to move towards the future that they want and learn how to use the skills they already have to get there. This is a particularly powerful approach for our teens who are ready and yearning for independance but still benefit from that guiding hand.
• Developing resilience skills – our ‘bounce back-ability’ from adversity and set-backs comes from the strengthening and promotion of supportive relationships, encouraging autonomy and responsibility, explore and develop an understanding and the management of emotions, as well as facilitating personal challenges.
• Drawing and Talking Therapy – I am a trained Drawing and Talking practitioner and can offer 12 thirty-minute weekly sessions. In these sessions, children and young people process difficult emotions and experiences indirectly through drawing and talking about what is on the page. This approach is an ideal support to those who have experienced trauma such as bereavement, domestic violence or self harm. Or simply because they enjoy being creative.
• Psychoeducation – for both children and their adults.
• Stories
• Art
• Play
• Music

Sessions

Children and Young people benefit from consistency and routine, much like many adults I know, and just like sessions for adults, it is widely recommended that we begin with weekly sessions for 6 weeks. Should the child or young person need more it will be discussed with both adults and children and a plan put in place which will be reviewed regularly.

Sessions can take place in the family home if suitable, over zoom or phone depending on the needs and ability of the child or young person. Keep an eye out for updates about my counselling space in Darley Abby, Derby to have the option for in-person sessions.

To contact me, please call 07869 711395, email me directly or complete the form below.