Working with children and young people

When working with children and young people I am able to offer a play (therapy) and creative approach. For children and young people this of often a safer and sometimes easier way to engage with therapy, allowing them to express themselves at a pace and in a way that they feel comfortable with. Talking therapy can be hard for some people, and sometimes inaccessible for very young children, children with communication difficulties or children experiencing acute anxiety and/or trauma. A creative and playful approach does not require the child/young person to be able to verbalise their feelings and experiences, and instead enables them to communicate in a creative way.
Parents and carers often worry when a child has a problem that causes them to be sad, disruptive, rebellious, unable to cope or inattentive. You may be concerned about a child’s development, eating or sleeping patterns or how they are getting along with family, friends and at school.
Every child is unique and special but sometimes they experience problems with feelings or behaviours that cause disruption to their lives and the lives of those around them.
Some parents and carers delay seeking help because they worry that they will be blamed for their children’s behaviour. Feeling responsible for a child’s distress or problems is a normal part of caring. The fact that you have the commitment to start addressing the difficulty is a significant part of helping your child.
Play is vital to every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and language development. It helps make learning concrete for all children and young people including those for whom verbal communication may be difficult.