Children’s Counselling at Find Joy in Adversity
At Find Joy in Adversity, I understand that children are not just small adults. They have unique ways of thinking, feeling, and seeing the world. My approach to children’s counselling is tailored to meet each child at their developmental level, ensuring they feel understood and supported.
Why Choose Children’s Counselling?
Children face a variety of challenges as they grow, and sometimes they need a little extra help to navigate their emotions and experiences. My counselling services are designed to:
- Adapt to Developmental Levels: I meet children where they are cognitively, socially, and emotionally. This ensures they stay engaged and benefit from the counselling process.
- Encourage Creativity: Using cognitive and creative therapies, I help children express themselves in ways that go beyond words. Techniques like play therapy and art therapy are integral to my approach.
- Build Self-Esteem: By focusing on each child’s unique strengths and providing positive reinforcement, I help them build confidence and a positive self-image.
My Approach
My counselling methods are based on a blend of proven therapeutic models, including:
- Person-Centred Therapy: I create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express themselves.
- Cognitive Therapy: Helps children understand and manage their thoughts and feelings.
- Play Therapy: Allows children to express their emotions and experiences through play, which is a natural form of communication for them.
- Creative Interventions: Activities like drawing, storytelling, and role-playing help children process their feelings and experiences.
What to Expect
When you bring your child to Find Joy in Adversity, you can expect a compassionate and personalised approach. Here’s what typically happens:
- Initial Assessment: I start with an assessment to understand your child’s needs and developmental level. This helps me tailor my approach to best support them.
- Therapeutic Activities: Depending on your child’s preferences and needs, I use a variety of activities such as drawing, playing games, or using sand trays to help them express themselves.
- Parental Involvement: I believe in working closely with parents. You’ll be involved in the process, receiving feedback and guidance on how to support your child at home.
The Importance of Creativity
Creativity is a powerful tool in children’s counselling. It helps children make sense of their world in a profound way. For example, after traumatic events, creative activities like drawing can help children process their experiences and gradually return to normal activities.
Developmental Stages
Understanding the different stages of child development is crucial in providing effective counselling. Here are some key points:
- Ages 3-4: Children start to understand and answer questions, and they enjoy games that use their skills.
- Ages 5-6: Imagination and humour are important. Free play within their control is beneficial.
- Ages 7-8: Children can understand others’ points of view and engage in more challenging therapy.
- Ages 9-10: They start planning ahead and can work cooperatively in group settings.
- Ages 11-13: This period can be challenging as children take on adult values but are not yet ready for full independence. Therapy at this stage involves acknowledging their developing belief systems and providing a degree of control over the sessions.
Building Trust
Building a trusting relationship is the cornerstone of effective counselling. I ensure that children feel safe and understood, which is essential for them to open up and engage in the therapeutic process.
Contact Me
If you believe your child could benefit from counselling, please contact me to schedule an initial consultation. Together, we can help your child find joy in adversity.