WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

I have a family of my own and have brought up three children (one of whom has learning and communication difficulties), and I love working with young people.

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Each individual child is unique—quirky, quiet, or full of chatter and energy; quick to open up or shy and shut down—and I enjoy the challenge each one brings. Usually, we find a way to work together during their course of therapy.

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At present, I work in a secondary school a couple of days a week and have supported a wide range of students aged 11–16. The work is diverse, nuanced, and always person-centred. I have to intuit what each young person needs, and most of the time—just as in adult work—they simply want to be heard: to unburden themselves with someone who won’t judge, give advice, or be a teacher or family member.

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Levelling out the power balance is crucial when working with young people.

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The children I work with come with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, bullying, neglect, or abuse, to name just a few. Some may also be on the ADHD or autism spectrum.

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I try to make sessions engaging and enjoyable, always with an element of humour. I use a wide range of creative interventions such as play therapy, art and drawing, boxing and movement, or even a simple game of catch (which can be great for re-regulation).

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I enjoy this work immensely, and I hope that young people leave sessions feeling a little better about themselves and their situation.

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I also hope they will remember that it’s good to talk, and that if they ever need counselling in the future, they will feel more able to access it.

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If your young person is going through a difficult time—perhaps self-harming, struggling to attend school, or experiencing anxiety or depression—please use my contact page to get in touch.

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