Each session will last for an hour and usually takes place once a week. The therapy room is a safe, confidential space where a child or young person can express their feelings and the difficulties they are experiencing.
Children are offered the opportunity to play and use art materials to help them work through their emotions. This is a therapeutic play whereby they are able to explore feelings and thoughts that may be otherwise too difficult through language alone. This method allows them to process some difficult or traumatic events without re-traumatising, and helps them to take control of their world within the session.
Adolescents and young people are also able to use the art materials as a therapeutic tool if they wish. However it is more common that older clients prefer to talk.
As I work with children and young people under the age of sixteen it is necessary to gain signed consent from parents. I usually ask that parents come into the clinic for an initial consultation in order to find out their concerns, learn about their child’s history and family life in general.
With young people of sixteen or over this initial parent meeting is optional and the young person and their family may decide themselves whether they would like to include this when starting therapy. This is to allow the young person some choice and enable them to feel that their therapy belongs to them. If it is decided that the young person prefers to present themselves the initial consultation will take place with them directly.
Therapy can last for just a couple of months or longer depending on the child or young person and the issues they bring. I usually recommend four to six sessions initially, then together we can evaluate how the process is going and how to proceed. Psychotherapy is not a quick fix and it is important to build a professional therapeutic relationship based on trust in order for there to be any positive therapeutic benefits.
My therapeutic model is integrative, drawing from a number of approaches in order to suit clients’ individual needs. I offer people an opportunity to express themselves through the arts, and play for younger children.