Working with Young People
I have worked for 36 years in the field of children and young people. Initially as a primary school teacher then working with those young adults excluded from school followed by a few years in Further Education. The last 15 years I have worked within a children and young people’s charitable organisation in Sheffield, of which the last 5 years I held the responsibility of Managing Director of the charity.
My psychotherapy practice spans in-depth work with children and young people and adults since 1999.
Counselling Young People
Sometimes children and young people (and their families) may need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions and/or behaviour. Schools often provide professionals to help young people and their families, such as learning or behaviour mentors, family liaison officers or professionals from external services. However some children and young people, or their families, may decide to seek further help in the form of counselling.
How is counselling for young people different?
Counselling for children and young people may differ from counselling for adults, and will depend on the child’s age, specific difficulties and their development. Different methods may be used to encourage children to be able to express their difficulties, such as play and art. For example, reading stories and talking about feelings of a character in that story may help the child to discuss their own feelings, or drawing/painting/drama may help children to express themselves. These methods all give the counsellor a great insight into the unconscious mind of the child.
Young People may prefer talking therapy, or a mixture of both, and the counselling approach will depend on a particular individual. Although different methods may be used for counselling children, the aim of counselling for both children and adults is ultimately the same; to help the individual cope better with their emotions and feelings.
How can counselling benefit young people?
Counselling children and young people involves helping the child to develop a positive attitude to life, recognise their strengths and express themselves. Creating a safe and confidential space. Free to explore the issue most important to them. Counselling may be provided to the young people on their own. Parents may find counselling an useful way of exploring their own feels regarding a family member or issue.
Young People's issues may include:
I have worked for 36 years in the field of children and young people. Initially as a primary school teacher then working with those young adults excluded from school followed by a few years in Further Education. The last 15 years I have worked within a children and young people’s charitable organisation in Sheffield, of which the last 5 years I held the responsibility of Managing Director of the charity.
My psychotherapy practice spans in-depth work with children and young people and adults since 1999.
Counselling Young People
Sometimes children and young people (and their families) may need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions and/or behaviour. Schools often provide professionals to help young people and their families, such as learning or behaviour mentors, family liaison officers or professionals from external services. However some children and young people, or their families, may decide to seek further help in the form of counselling.
How is counselling for young people different?
Counselling for children and young people may differ from counselling for adults, and will depend on the child’s age, specific difficulties and their development. Different methods may be used to encourage children to be able to express their difficulties, such as play and art. For example, reading stories and talking about feelings of a character in that story may help the child to discuss their own feelings, or drawing/painting/drama may help children to express themselves. These methods all give the counsellor a great insight into the unconscious mind of the child.
Young People may prefer talking therapy, or a mixture of both, and the counselling approach will depend on a particular individual. Although different methods may be used for counselling children, the aim of counselling for both children and adults is ultimately the same; to help the individual cope better with their emotions and feelings.
How can counselling benefit young people?
Counselling children and young people involves helping the child to develop a positive attitude to life, recognise their strengths and express themselves. Creating a safe and confidential space. Free to explore the issue most important to them. Counselling may be provided to the young people on their own. Parents may find counselling an useful way of exploring their own feels regarding a family member or issue.
Young People's issues may include:
- family and step-family relationships
- schools based and related issues
- Peers relationship problems
- bullying
- sexuality
- isolation
- caring issues
- bereavement/loss
- emotional problems
- behavioural problems
- literacy and numeracy problems.