CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

There is a common misconception that children lead care-free lives, with nothing more to worry about than building forts, playing video games, or playing sports with their friends. However, life is changing at an alarming rate. With these fast-paced changes, and the exposure and access to social media, unfortunately comes with the pressures to keep up with their peers and to keep up with the latest technology and trends. Children and young people do not possess the life experience, skills, tools, or ways of expressing their emotions in healthy ways that hopefully most adults can.

When we consider that on top of all these things, that there are also other things to consider such as peer pressure, bullying by either peers or adults, relationship difficulties with either peers or within family dynamics. The possibility of parents who may be struggling with their own relationships, and any other traumatic things happening such as domestic violence, physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect, then life can be almost impossible for a child to navigate under any of these mixtures of life experiences.

I offer therapies for Children between 3 and 12 years, and for Young People between 13 and 18 years.

Therapy for Children 3-12 years

Therapy with children is very different from therapy with a young person. The language will be different, but therapy will centre around a combination of play/creative therapy and talking therapy. 

When it comes to working with children, consent must come from the parent or guardian and our therapy work is regularly monitored through supervision and through the BACP Ethical Framework. Most of the therapy is done through play and discussion around what worries or concerns the child may have.

Therapy is based more around teaching children about their emotions, how these make them feel both physically and mentally, as children’s language and feelings are mostly held within their bodies. Once we explore what each feeling is. We find out how they feel, what colour they may be or even give them their own name. It is then that we can explore ways of learning how to express them through our words and how to express them in healthy ways. 

Ultimately, it’s about teaching the child to grow up knowing that their mental wellbeing is just as important as their physical wellbeing and hopes to open the lines of communication between children and adults.

The contract between the child and the therapist is confidential unless in the unlikely event that either the child or someone else may at risk of harm. The child, of course, is welcome to discuss what happens within the therapy session if they choose to. Some children like the idea of keeping this private and separate. Something that exists just for them.

Most sessions with children are structured similarly. This involves an initial ‘check-in’ which is an opportunity for the therapist and child to catch up on how their week has been since their last session. There will then be an opportunity to discuss whether the child has any worries or things that are troubling them. They will then decide on what activity will be used, and this could be a variety of play, reading, games, painting, colouring or knitting providing the therapist and child to engage in less directive and more in-depth conversation and share things that may be more challenging to do directly.

Therapy for Young People 13-18 years

It is important to remember that young people between the ages of 13-18 are the client and can refer themselves. This means that consent is not necessary from a parent or guardian. What is discussed between the young person and the therapist is confidential unless in the unlikely event that the therapist is in fear for either the young person’s life or that of someone else’s. It is fine for the young person to discuss what happens in session if they want to share, but this should never be pushed, as it may affect the young person’s ability to trust the process and begin to internalise their problems. However, it is considered good practise to get parental consent unless the young person does not want to do so. 

Children and young people may not always have the language or ability to communicate how they feel. They may be unsure who to talk to and how to talk about their problems. There may also be a fear that if they disclose their worries or concerns to others that they will be disloyal to someone they love and causing more internal conflict and adding to their worries. 

Mental health is as important to a young person’s safety and wellbeing as their physical health. It can impact on all aspects of their life, including their educational success, maintaining healthy relationships, and physical wellbeing. Mental health can be drastically changed over time and to varying degrees due to physical and hormonal changes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

One of the most powerful things to remember is that as different people we all experience things differently and so what may not be traumatic for one person, may feel entirely different for another. Not minimising a young persons’ feelings, responses and reactions is vital. Extreme responses can be a sign of something deeper going on.

From mood swings to school issues, or difficult friendship dynamics, teens may experience these types of usual problems. However, if you notice extreme changes in your teen’s behaviours, after speaking to yourself, it may be important for them to seek professional help. If you think your teen could benefit from talking to a mental health provider, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a professional. Talk to your GP or schedule an appointment directly with a therapist. Sometimes, even just a few therapy sessions can make a big difference to your teen’s overall well-being.

For adults, children, and young adults alike. Here are some of the reasons your teens may benefit from therapy:

  • While it’s normal for teens to worry sometimes, some teens experience intense anxiety. Anxiety disorder can interfere with many different aspects of a teen’s life, including friendships and academics.

    Whether your teen has difficulty speaking in front of the class, or constantly worries bad things are going to happen, therapy could help them learn how to manage their symptoms.

  • Suspensions from school, repeat curfew violations, and aggressive behaviour may be symptoms of more serious problems. A therapist could help uncover potential mental health issues, skill deficits, or social problems that may be driving your teen’s behaviour.

  • Mood disorders often start during the teen years. And if left untreated, depression can last into adulthood. If your teen seems irritable, sad, and withdrawn, talk to your GP. An accurate diagnosis and early intervention are key components of effective treatment.

  • Teens deal with grief a little differently than adults and the loss of a loved one can be especially difficult during adolescence. Individual, family, or group therapy can help teens sort out their feelings and make sense of their loss.

  • Stealing, underage drinking, or fighting are just a few of the reasons teens get into trouble with the law. Sometimes, they’re mandated by probation—or their parents—to receive counselling. Therapy can help a teen learn how to make healthier choices so that further legal issues can be prevented.

  • While most teens struggle with self-confidence issues at one time or another, some experience serious self-esteem issues. When those issues are left unaddressed, teens are at a higher risk of problems such as substance abuse and academic failure. Therapy can help boost a teen’s self-esteem.

  • Bullies, failing grades, cliques, and teacher-related issues are just a few of the social-related problems many teens experience. Teens often aren’t sure where to turn for help. Therapy can provide teens with support and give them skills that will help them navigate high school successfully.

  • Teenagers can get stressed out. Whether it’s the pressure to perform well on an exam or concerns over what to do after high school, stress can take a serious toll. Therapy can help a teen learn skills to manage stress successfully—and that’s something that will serve them well throughout their lives.

  • Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol can become serious problems for teenagers. A substance abuse counsellor can assess your teen’s substance use and help determine the most appropriate course of treatment. Individual therapy, group therapy, detox, or residential treatment may be options depending on the severity of a teen’s problems.

  • Suicide is when a teen causes his or her own death on purpose. Before attempting to take his or her own life, a teen may have thoughts of wanting to die. This is called suicidal ideation. He or she may also have suicidal behaviour. That’s when a teen is focused on doing things that cause his or her own death.

    Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24. The CDC(Community Diagnostic Centres), reports that:

    Boys are 4 times more likely to die from suicide than girls.

    Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys.

    Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides.

    For moe information on Teen Suicide please click here.

  • Whether it’s a near-death experience or a sexual assault, traumatic events can have a lifelong impact on a teen. Therapy can increase resilience and reduce the impact the traumatic event has on a teen’s life. Early intervention can be the key to helping a teen recover from traumatic circumstances.

Remember that whether we are either children, young adults, or adults it is just as important to look after out psychological wellbeing as it is to are for our physical wellbeing. For children it is an opportunity to learn how to talk about our feelings rather than internalising and grow up into healthy adults both physically and psychological. For adults it is just as important as for children and young adults to have a safe space which is set aside only for us. The act of something as simple as this concept and this routine is really powerful.