Therapy for children – and what to expect when your child attends therapy
By the time your child meets their therapist you will have already spoken to a member of our referral team about the difficulties your child is experiencing. This information will be passed onto your child’s therapist. However, it is normal for the therapist to meet with the child’s parent(s)/carer(s) prior to the start of individual sessions. This might be with or without your child present.
You can use this session to tell the therapist more about your concerns and what your hopes are for therapy.
Your child’s therapist will spend the first few sessions establishing rapport and building a connection with your child. This will help your child to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. You can help by explaining that therapy is a safe space for them and the therapist is there to help them.
Your child’s therapist will take an approach that is playful, accepting, curious and empathic. They will be led by the child and let them determine the pace of the therapy. It is very important your child feels safe and pushing them to talk or expecting them to behave in a particular way can undermine this sense of safety. This is particularly true of children who have experienced trauma.
Younger children often find it easier to express their feelings and communicate their difficulties through play and the creative arts. Your child’s therapist is specially trained to understand these communications and respond appropriately. Older children can also benefit from these approaches while some prefer talking therapy. Every child is unique and your therapist will explore the best approach to working with your child.
You may observe your child playing or your child may talk to you about playing in sessions in a way that isn’t obviously therapeutic. Sometimes parents’ express concerns that this play isn’t therapy or that their child isn’t engaging in the therapy. It is important to remember that this is an important part of the process and your child’s therapist will be working in ways that are not immediately obvious whilst titrating interventions so they are manageable for your child.
Bear in mind that therapy can be emotionally taxing, for both children and adults. Be understanding of your child’s feelings, listen and offer comfort when necessary. If you need support with this, please speak to your child’s therapist as they will be able to help you.
Therapy is a team effort. The therapist will work with your child, but you and potentially other family members will also be involved. This may involve separate sessions with your child’s therapist, sessions with you and your child together or potentially family therapy. This approach has been shown to support the best outcomes for you and your child.
Finally, it is important to remember that therapy takes time and it may be a while before you see a benefit. Consistency will help. Missed sessions can slow or disrupt the process so it’s essential to be patient and encourage your child to attend their sessions.
Please contact us or speak to your child’s therapist if you have any further questions.
Therapy for parents and carers
Even at the best of times, being a parent or carer can be one of the hardest jobs in the world. It can be even harder if you find yourself facing very challenging life circumstances or when you’re trying to look after your own mental health. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. To make matters worse friends and family might not always understand the problems or have any idea how to help. What’s more, not everyone understands some children are harder to parent than others!
At BOUNCE! we believe parents and carers need understanding and support. We offer 1 to 1 counselling and psychotherapy to support parents and carers. Providing a safe and confidential space to explore difficulties in a non-judgemental, compassionate and kind way. Our counsellors and psychotherapists are qualified and experienced practitioners trained to listen and respond, and help parents and carers explore the changes and challenges that naturally occur in parenthood. This process promotes personal growth, can help with the discovery of new options and support in coping when things that can’t be changed.
Our Counsellors and Psychotherapists work with a wide range of general well-being concerns ranging from depression and anxiety to low self-esteem, confidence, angry behaviour and family or relationship challenges.