Children and Young Persons Therapy

Preparing your child for therapy

 

It is important your child feels empowered as they start attending therapy sessions. It’s crucial that they don’t see these sessions as an consequence of challenging emotions or behaviours, as this perspective can hinder their engagement.

Consider discussing with your child the reasons behind choosing a psychologist and the importance of receiving help. Creating an expectation that they are only required to attend one session can reduce any pressure they might feel. This way, if they find it uncomfortable, they will know they are not obliged to continue.

Additionally, it might be beneficial for them to read the therapists' profiles and their 'about me' passports. This can help them start to form a relationship with the therapist. Preparing your child for what to expect in the first session might also alleviate some anxiety. You could say something like, 'I wonder what the waiting room will be like?' to create a bit of appropriate uncertainty and curiosity.

 

 

Our Therapy Room

 

Our therapy facilities are designed specifically with children and young people in mind. We have created a bespoke therapy room that encourages young individuals to feel safe and playful, effectively reducing the intensity of the therapy experience.

Our play therapy room is uniquely designed to allow children and young people to express themselves in multiple ways. Our therapists firmly believe that through play, children often communicate their challenges, even when they struggle to articulate them with words.

For our older young people who might find the playroom too youthful, we also offer a dedicated adult therapy room to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported.

You would also be invited to come by and see these spaces firsthand during your assessment.

 

Parent Assessment Session

 

You are invited to attend a parent assessment session initially with your child’s therapist. This session is a vital step in understanding your child's mental health background and life history before beginning therapy.

Please note that your child is not required to attend this session. It will provide a space for open discussion regarding therapy treatment styles, and the therapist will make recommendations based on the outcomes of the assessment.

It's important to emphasize that there is no obligation to proceed with therapy after the assessment. If, during the session, it appears that your family might benefit from alternative services, we will discuss those options as well.

 

Therapy Structure & Reviews

 

Once we have completed the initial assessment and decided to begin offering therapy services for your child, the therapy sessions will be structured in blocks of six sessions.

 

After the completion of the first block, you will be invited to attend a parent review session with your therapist. This will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and any developments. Based on the outcomes from this meeting, we can arrange for additional blocks of six sessions if necessary.

 

We believe it is important to educate parents about a child's engagement with therapy. In our parent review session, we will share insights into the therapeutic process while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of every child.

 

We view these parent sessions not only as an opportunity for education but also as a chance to support you through your parenting challenges. We aim to equip you with skills and strategies that have proven beneficial for your child.

 

Additionally, we will provide recommendations for reading materials and resources that can further support your child's therapy work.

 

Working with other services

 

We understand that it can be beneficial to discuss the outcomes with other services involved in a child’s care, such as the school, social work, and CAMHS. We would discuss incorporating this into a child’s care plan should this be beneficial for an holistic approach to support.