My Work With Children

Play Therapy for Children (4yo -11 or 12yo)

For a child who is having difficulties in one or more areas.

Can be short-term or longer.

I am able to help pre-school and school age children with a variety of emotional and behavioural problems, including:

Anxiety, lack of confidence, which may manifest as bed wetting, nightmares, reluctance to attend school, insecurity or nervousness, obsessive rituals.

Aggressive, uncontrollable or violent behaviour; jealousy; bullying; ADHD; difficulty with communicating, silent withdrawal or selective mutism; problems with sleep - inability to sleep in their own bed, disturbed sleep, nightmares; rituals; problems with toileting - bed wetting, soiling; upset due to parents' separation, a new baby or illness or bereavement in the family; learning difficulties; .

I am able to see children with developmental problems, such as children who are silent and withdrawn, those who have significant learning difficulties, those with 'special needs' or who have been or who might be diagnosed in the Autistic Spectrum.

I work with a child in a non-directive way, which enables them to express the things that are troubling them in their own way.

This includes play, in which your child plays as they wish, with a variety of toys and creative materials that I provide.

Play is how children express their inner world, (ie. How they experience things inside themselves), and it is an important way they work through things.

As your child plays, I follow and respond. My response is based on my training, clinical thinking and experience. It is very relational and natural, 'following your child.'

In their play with me, your child is able to work though their anxieties and other difficulties, which enables them to feel and manage better in all areas of their lives.

The aim of the work is to help your child to on to a better developmental track as opposed to only managing their behaviour. The outcome of my work is generally very good and sustains.

As part of the work, I meet with you regularly/ semi-regularly, as needed, to review progress and to support you as parents.

I will first meet with you for an initial consultation to hear the details of your concerns, obtain background information and to talk to you about how I work.

I confirm that I hold the appropriate clearances (Enhanced DBS checks) to work with children and young people.

After I have seen your child three or four times, I will arrange to meet back with you for us to discuss how your child has been and to decide together what is the best way forward. Sometimes obtaining some insight, advice and support is all that is required. Where we decide together that some further sessions are needed, these can then be arranged.

I liaise with other professionals as necessary. eg. School counsellors and classroom teachers, GP's, paediatricians and child psychiatrists.

Further Notes re my work with Autistic / PDD children.

(Please see my separate page: 'Working with Autism')

Psychological work with an autistic child is generally slow, often takes a number of years and requires a substantial commitment. It is possible to facilitate some improvement in psychological and therefore behavioural functioning for certain kinds of autism. A thorough assessment must be carried out before any decision is made to attempt therapeutic work.

Child, Adolescent and Adult Counselling and Psychotherapy