Child Counselling – Protea Counselling

Children and young people (CYP) counselling is a safe space where CYPs can discuss their worries and work through anything they struggle with. It could include family worries, exam stress and mental health concerns like anxiety and self-harm. At times, being a parent or carer can feel overwhelming. We only want our children to be happy, which makes it difficult to see them struggle.

As parents and carers, you want to be the person they come to with their concerns and ‘fix’ any worries, but this isn’t always possible. Sometimes, children benefit from talking to a professional who has the training to help with their particular concerns and is unbiased.

By creating a safe space to talk through their concerns, child counselling can help children understand their emotions better, develop coping skills and build emotional resilience, which will serve them well into adulthood.

What is child counselling?

Child counselling allows young people to talk about their feelings without fearing judgement. Speaking to a counsellor, away from their home and school life, can take away some of the pressure. Counselling offers a safe and confidential environment for children to express their feelings and understand what may have caused them to feel this way.

The methods used in child counselling sessions are not one-size-fits-all. They are tailored to the child’s age, situation, and development. This personalised approach can reassure parents and carers that their child’s unique needs are being met.

Older children may prefer talking therapy or a mixture of both. It is down to the child and the counsellor, who will discuss the situation together to learn what method will be most beneficial. Although different methods may be used for child counselling, the aim for children and adults is to help the individual understand and cope better with their feelings, increase resiliency and live a more fulfilling life.

What can child counselling help with?

Some examples of how counselling can help children include coping with everyday worries, managing exam stress and overcoming relationship issues with friends, family and teachers. Counselling can also help with self-harm concerns, grief, depression and anxiety, and learning difficulties, to name a few. But, know it is essential if something makes your child unhappy, however small you or they feel it is.

There is no right or wrong reason for someone to attend counselling. Sometimes, it’s just good to talk to someone objectively; other times, more support may be needed.

Their worries can include:

Bullying: at school, cyberbullying, at home

Children’s learning difficulties: These can include Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, and Autism.

Behaviour problems: These can be caused by significant life changes, Parental problems, Past experiences, or seeking attention.

Conduct disorder: ODD (oppositional defiant disorder).

Anxiety and depression.

Other mental health concerns, for example, Eating disorders, Self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Childhood bereavement: accepting loss, Experiencing pain

Attachment disorder

Separation anxiety

Will counselling help my child?

If your child is struggling, counselling can help them understand why they feel this way and develop tools to help them cope with any challenges they may be facing. It can also provide a space to claim as their own, emotionally, which they may feel is lacking.

As there are many different approaches to counselling, there is likely to be a style to suit everyone. Talking to the counsellor to learn more about their work before starting sessions can be helpful, as can talking to your child about any preferences they may have.

As a parent/carer, you play a crucial role in your child’s counselling journey. The counsellor should work with you to get a clearer idea of what’s happening and anything you can do to support your child further. Your involvement can provide valuable insights and support for your child’s progress.

Child and adolescent counselling incorporate a holistic understanding of the child and young person’s needs, ensuring a supportive and effective therapeutic environment.

It can include:

Developmental Considerations: Recognising and understanding the various stages of child and adolescent development. As a counsellor, I tailor each individual’s approach based on age and developmental level, recognising that therapeutic interventions for a six-year-old may significantly differ from those for a teenager.

Family-Centred Approach: When working in Child and adolescent counselling, we must be aware that it often involves the family. Being able to identify the influence of family dynamics, as a counsellor, we collaborate with parents and caregivers to create a supportive environment for the young individual and to address family factors that may contribute to or alleviate mental health concerns.

Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural awareness is paramount in counselling. As a professional, we must consider the child’s or adolescent’s cultural context. By knowing that diverse backgrounds can shape each individual’s experiences and perceptions. Incorporating a culturally sensitive approach can ensure that the interventions align with the individual’s values and beliefs.

Every child is unique, and effective counselling respects and celebrates this individuality. As a counsellor, I tailor interventions to the specific needs of the child, ensuring that the therapeutic process respects their autonomy and aligns with their preferences and strengths.

Inclusive communication and collaboration: Communication and collaboration are vital principles that involve working with various stakeholders—for example, educators, healthcare professionals, and other support systems. Encouraging a collaborative relationship with the support systems can ensure a comprehensive approach to help address the mental health needs of the child or adolescent using a holistic support network.

What support can I offer?

When dealing with behavioural problems, identifying any related difficulties is essential and can give your child a better chance for the future. The treatment will depend on the severity of the situation and the child’s age and circumstances. It can include home-based support, such as parenting groups, school support, and specialist services, such as counselling. Additionally, there are support services available for parents and carers to help them cope with the challenges they may face.

Many children with behavioural problems find school difficult; therefore, classroom support may be valuable. I can contact the school to learn what services are available to the individual. They can give the child extra support in lessons or individual help to develop social skills. Having experience working with individuals with behavioural and neurodiverse concerns, I noticed the importance of understanding why individuals behave a certain way. Many of these children have been labelled as naughty and treated accordingly. Being able to understand certain behaviours and why an individual behaves this way can make a huge difference in being able to know how to support them. I can offer psychoeducation and work at discovering each “instruction manual.” The manual will be able to provide parents, carers, and educational settings with the information they need to support them correctly in each setting. These instruction manuals have significantly impacted many children, especially those struggling academically.

I can signpost you to the correct professional support if you are concerned about your child’s health and behaviour. For example, visit your GP for advice, who may be able to refer you to the local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Specialists in child behaviour and health can help assess the behaviour and suggest ways to improve.

Using my experience working in the national health service, I can assess the child’s presentation; if there are any undiagnosed neurodiversity that needs to be investigated, I can complete the necessary screenings and write medical reports with my assessment findings and recommendations.

I can provide counselling, allowing you and your child to talk about what’s going on without fear of judgment. The treatment methods can include talking, using different modalities, playing, and using creativity, which can support your child, providing them with tools for them to be able to express their feelings and learn how to cope and manage to regulate their emotions, mood and anxiety.

What is child counselling?

What can child counselling help with?

Their worries can include:

Will counselling help my child?

What support can I offer?

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