All of our counsellors are well qualified and experienced in working with children. You will be contacted by a counsellor who has a particular interest or expertise in working with a child of your child's age. You will have an opportunity to meet the counsellors and discuss any concerns you may have. It is essential that your child feels safe, secure, and understood.
You may be aware that your child is behaving in a way that appears different. They may be angry, sad, withdrawn, or be having difficulties with their relationships. There are many reasons for this and some are listed below:
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- A pupil has school refusal difficulties
- A pupil bullies others or is a victim of bullying behaviour
- Difficulties due to family breakdown
- Peer group / relationship difficulties
- Bereavement, loss or separation issues, experience of trauma
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Misuse of alcohol and drugs
- Sexual, physical or emotional abuse
For younger children there is likely to be a considerable sharing of information and liaison with parents. How the child plays will be confidential. As they move towards adolescence, every effort will be made to ensure that higher levels of confidentiality are established and maintained.
It is not always possible for children to communicate their feelings in words. Play therapy helps a child to communicate their feelings in a non-threatening way.
Play is an essential part of a child's emotional, physical, intellectual, and language development. It can help a child to:
