Child and Adolescent Therapy

I can offer psychological therapy to children and adolescents under 18. There is no lower age range, but younger children (typically under 13, but not exclusive to) are usually seen alongside a parent/guardian. We will discuss this in the initial assessment. Older children who wish to be seen alone will discuss confidentiality with me during the assessment and we will determine what they would like shared with their parent/guardian. This is regularly reviewed throughout therapy. I do not have an obligation to share therapy sessions with parents/guardians unless I believe the young person is at risk to themselves or others. Sometimes, it is also important for me to see children and parents individually depending on what they are struggling with or what the goals are.

Childhood and adolescence is a period of immense development, where not only are their brains still developing but they are undergoing a multitude of stressors and new experiences (whether that be in friendships, family, education or in other areas) and it is important that young people are supported through therapy.

Therapy will be tailored towards the young person's cognitive, social and emotional development so that they can get the most out of therapy. I do not believe there is a 'one size fits all' approach and each young person will experience and use therapy differently. Young people will usually begin with weekly sessions and I can offer these virtually via video call or face to face at a clinic in Poole.

Some young people will find it daunting to sit in a room with a stranger and talk about the things they find difficult and lots of young people won't have the words to describe how they are feeling. I try to use creative ways to understand the young person and help them to make sense of what is going on, trying my best to incorporate their own interests.

Typically children and young people may want to use therapy to think about difficulties related to:

-Relationship difficulties

-Trauma

-Anxiety

-Depression

-Self-esteem

-Emotional dysregulation

-Grief

The assessment will help us to determine what type of therapy may be useful. I tend to use a variety of approaches to support the needs of young people. Most commonly, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Third Wave Approaches and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy informed Practice.