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Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

child therapy

When should I seek psychotherapy for my child?

Studies show that 10% of children (aged 5-16) and 20% of adolescents experience a clinically diagnosable mental health problem. In addition it is thought that as many as 50% of mental health problems are established by the age of 14 (and 75% by the age of 24!). https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-children-and-young-people The emotional and psychological care of our young people is therefore of fundamental importance for their wellbeing, not only for the present but also for their future. When infants and young people are very distressed they may find it hard to benefit from the opportunities of care and support that are available to them at home, in the community and at school. At such times it may be beneficial for the young person to seek specialist care with an experienced therapist such as a child and adolescent Psychotherapist.

What is child and adolescent psychotherapy?

Therapeutic work with infants, children and adolescents requires a different set of understanding and training then therapeutic work with adults. Child and adolescent psychotherapy is a form of support specifically designed to cater to the unique needs that infants, children and young people have. Child and adolescent psychotherapy is recognised by the government as a core profession within child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Your child and adolescent Psychotherapist will be trained to understand young people’s distressing emotions and will have experience in supporting young people to process and make sense of these emotions. They will also have the skills to identify the emotional needs of young people through their behaviour and play and will support young people to use play and adapt their behaviour to encourage greater wellbeing.

Play therapy

Play is extremely important for every child’s development; it helps to embed learning and is particularly important for those children for whom communication may be difficult. Play therapy enables young people to learn about their thoughts and feelings in an environment that feels safe. Young people will be encouraged to use play to express, process and learn about emotional situations that they may have struggled with. Through play the young person may also be encouraged to find new ways of behaving and interacting that will help them to negotiate the demands of growing up and getting along with others.

How can I help?

Parents, siblings and carers can play a very important role in supporting the young person through their therapy. Therapy works best when attendance is regular and consistent; if you can be consistent and encouraging of their attendance this will help them. Whilst child and adolescent psychotherapy can be of great help to young people, the results of this are not normally experienced right away and sometimes they may feel worse before they better. If you have any concerns about the young person then please feel free to ask their therapist about this.

Will my child go on their own or will I go with them?

Your child and adolescent Psychotherapist may see the young person on their own or in the company of another family member. They may also see parents, families and carers separately in order to support them in their understanding and care of the young person.

Child and adolescent psychotherapy at Hitchin counselling and psychology

The child and adolescent therapist working with Hitchin counselling and psychology is psychoanalytically and psychodynamically trained and has experience working in a range of settings including the NHS, voluntary sector and private practice. She is professionally accredited through the Association of child Psychotherapists and the British Psychotherapy Federation (where she also teaches) so you can feel confident in her clinical experience and expertise. If you would like to arrange therapy with our child and adolescent Psychotherapist then please contact us now.

  Contact  

Contact us

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The information you provide is strictly confidential and will not be shared with any third party.

Or call us on 01462 440 881

If you would like to contact us by phone, one of our team will be happy to assist you. Please leave a message on our answer machine, clearly stating your name, number and any preferred times for us to return your call.

All messages left on the machine are treated with the strictest confidentiality and we will do our utmost to return your call within 48 hours and at a time convenient for you.

Address

107 Bancroft
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG5 1NB
United Kingdom

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