It can be really difficult for a child or young person to make sense of how they feel inside. Children often communicate their difficulties through their behaviour, which can sometimes be challenging. For example, a child who is anxious or worried at school can often find it really hard to focus in class, they can tune out of what is going on, they can have organisational difficulties, and can find unplanned changes to routine really hard to manage.  All of these examples can  make it very hard for children to progress in their learning. Children can also become angry towards their friends and teachers because they are not able to  manage their frustration.   Strategies to try and manage can often be maladaptive. For example, when a child can't focus they tend to talk, or when a child  is feeling anxious and worried, they struggle to keep still, so fidget in their seats or move around class as a way of trying to cope.  At home, a child can become sad, explosive or oppositional, once again this is often because they are full of feelings that they simply cannot manage or understand. 

An adolescent can really struggle to express what they are feeling, often pushing their feelings down and not expressing them. This means that they are left trying to find ways of managing whilst feeling this sense of heaviness inside.  An adolescent may become angry, sad, withdrawn or isolated. 

At Autumn Leaves, I offer you and your child or adolescent a compassionate, confidential, and safe space to build a secure therapeutic relationship. I will try to understand what your child is feeling or experiencing by looking beneath the surface of their difficult emotions and behaviours. I am trained to carefully observe what your child or young person might be communicating non-verbally through their behaviour and play. In my practice I have a range of play materials, which include sand, small world toys, paints, pens, clay and soft and sensory toys and games. If your child is not comfortable talking, we can play and they can begin to tell their story in way that feels comfortable and safe.

Psychotherapy will take place weekly on the same day, at the same time and in the same room. This does not change. The consistency of this is a very important boundary and is key to the therapeutic process feeling safe and secure. 

Developing trust:

Children can often wear a mask to hide their anxiety and it can be hard to see past it sometimes, especially if they are behaving in a way that is very difficult to manage. It can be difficult to see that, behind the mask, there is often a very different story.  

Children can hide their vulnerability really well and it can take some time for them to show their true selves in therapy. This is why giving a child time to develop trust is so important.  

This can feel like a waiting game for parents and it can be hard to bear. This is why at Autumn Leaves, I offer parenting support. 

When a child has developed trust and feels safe, they will begin to take off their mask and show their true feelings and experiences in therapy. 

It is often at this point that children begin to leave their process in the safe hands of their therapist and start to manage things a little better at home and at school. 

Knowing when to get help:

Sometimes when your child is having difficulties, it can make family life really hard. I believe that as a parent, you will instinctively know when your child's distress needs to be really carefully thought about. I know that often, parents can feel unsupported and alone. This is another reason why I offer you parenting support at Autumn Leaves.  

When a child starts to feel safe and secure in their therapy, confused, frightened, hurt, angry or painful feelings can gradually be put into words rather than actions. As a result, your child can begin to express their emotions in less disturbed ways and start to return to a normal process of development. 

Contact me at enquiries@autumnleavespsychotherapy.com or you can call: 07947 307675