WORKING WITH
CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
We think that children act, whereas what they mostly do is react.
My original training was to work with adults (18 plus), and I am often asked to work with teenagers. I realised that it's hard to find private therapy for this age group which complies with UKCP and BACP issued guidelines, and provides safe, age appropriate therapeutic support.
To address this I have chosen to complete a level 7 Post Qualifying diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. Along with being a volunteer psychotherapist with ‘Help! Counselling’ I have the specialist professional skills needed to work with children, young people and teenagers, in addition to adults.
Young people and teenagers need a safe space to process thoughts and emotions, about life in general, or about more specific things that may be bothering them. If they are lucky enough to get to do this, they are less likely to suffer a detrimental impact in their adult life. (See ‘useful links’).
Therapy can provide that safe space for them.
My original training was to work with adults (18 plus), and I am often asked to work with teenagers. I realised that it's hard to find private therapy for this age group which complies with UKCP and BACP issued guidelines, and provides safe, age appropriate therapeutic support.
To address this I have chosen to complete a level 7 Post Qualifying diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. Along with being a volunteer psychotherapist with ‘Help! Counselling’ I have the specialist professional skills needed to work with children, young people and teenagers, in addition to adults.
Young people and teenagers need a safe space to process thoughts and emotions, about life in general, or about more specific things that may be bothering them. If they are lucky enough to get to do this, they are less likely to suffer a detrimental impact in their adult life. (See ‘useful links’).
Therapy can provide that safe space for them.
Psychotherapist in training with
Psychotherapist in training with
Psychotherapist in training with
Psychotherapist in training with
Some upsetting events that children and teenagers go through, are often what we see as common experience; being teased or bullied at school, losing friends by moving from school to school during childhood, a teacher shouting at us in front of the whole class, the death of a pet, a parent losing a job, or divorce.
These may not generally be thought of as traumatic because sadly they happen a lot. This does not mean however, that the emotional impact of such an event is insignificant.
To the person experiencing it, the emotional wounds can be long lasting.
These traumas strongly influence the way you view the world and shape how you cope in life. For example, the trauma of being teased or excluded by peers can leave you with low self-esteem and the belief that you are not good enough – despite the fact that you may see no connection between the two.
Some upsetting events that children and teenagers go through, are often what we see as common experience; being teased or bullied at school, losing friends by moving from school to school during childhood, a teacher shouting at us in front of the whole class, the death of a pet, a parent losing a job, or divorce.
These may not generally be thought of as traumatic because sadly they happen a lot. This does not mean however, that the emotional impact of such an event is insignificant.
To the person experiencing it, the emotional wounds can be long lasting.
These traumas strongly influence the way you view the world and shape how you cope in life. For example, the trauma of being teased or excluded by peers can leave you with low self-esteem and the belief that you are not good enough – despite the fact that you may see no connection between the two.
We all know what it's like when we feel humiliated: we put all our energy into protecting ourselves, developing what survival strategies we can. We may repress our feelings; we may get furious and plot revenge.
We may decide to become so powerful and successful that nobody can ever hurt us again. These are all examples of adaptations to trauma, and your body is likely remembering the things your mind cannot.
Our psychological defence mechanisms might prevent us from linking symptoms to traumatic experience. We might know in a rational sense that we have experienced a trauma whilst cutting off from its emotional impact as a way of protecting ourselves.
This is very common for children and teenagers who have experienced abuse. It is often the case that symptoms materialise months after a trauma, and therefore making the link to the initial trauma unclear and ambiguous.
We all know what it's like when we feel humiliated: we put all our energy into protecting ourselves, developing what survival strategies we can. We may repress our feelings; we may get furious and plot revenge.
We may decide to become so powerful and successful that nobody can ever hurt us again. These are all examples of adaptations to trauma, and your body is likely remembering the things your mind cannot.
Our psychological defence mechanisms might prevent us from linking symptoms to traumatic experience. We might know in a rational sense that we have experienced a trauma whilst cutting off from its emotional impact as a way of protecting ourselves.
This is very common for children and teenagers who have experienced abuse. It is often the case that symptoms materialise months after a trauma, and therefore making the link to the initial trauma unclear and ambiguous.
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