What to expect
Counselling provides an opportunity for children and teenagers to talk about things that affect their life. It offers a safe and private (confidential) space, where children can explore and express their feelings without them being judged. Counselling also aims to help children/ teenagers to find healthy ways how to express themselves and cope with what is going on in their life.
In therapy, it is the child’s choice how they use their session (child-centred approach). Children/ teenagers may choose to use any of the arts media (art, clay, puppets, postcards, sand play, music, drama, dance/movement), play, storytelling or engage in talking therapy.
Some of the experiences and difficulties worked with in child counselling are:
- Fear, Anxiety, Stress, Panic
- Loss, Bereavement, Separation
- Trauma, Abuse
- Nightmares, Sleeping issues
- Depression
- Illness
- Impact of parental mental/ physical health
- Impact of parental sexual orientation
- Learning difficulties
- Family issues, Parental divorce
- Sibling issues, Parent-child relational difficulties
- Transitions (family life, schools)
- Bullying
- Enuresis, Encopresis
- Caring for parent/ sibling (child carers)
- Adoption, Fostering
- Educational difficulties
- Low self-esteem, Confidence
- Behavioural issues/ challenging behaviour/ anger
- Early developmental difficulties, ADHD
- Attachment difficulties
- Self-harm
- Identity issues
- Sexuality concerns
- Self-image issues
- Friendship and Relationship difficulties
- Exam/ Performance anxiety
- Selective Mutism