Therapy Modalities

As an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, working with children and adolescents, I am trained to use a range of therapeutic modalities to meet the unique needs of children and young people.

Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy is grounded in empathy and respect and takes place in a safe, non-judgmental space. The young person feels heard and respected and is able to explore their thoughts and feelings. The emphasis is on empathy and acceptance, fostering personal growth and self-acceptance.

Children and adolescents struggling with self-esteem issues or emotional difficulties can find this approach promotes self-discovery and encourages them to express their feelings.

Person-centred therapy increases self-confidence, improves self-worth and emotional resilience, builds self-esteem and supports young people with issues like anxiety, bullying and stress.

Person-Centred Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on the idea that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected. It helps identify unhelpful thought patterns and how they impact behaviours, actions and emotions.

The aim of CBT is to challenge these unhelpful thoughts and help the young person re-think them and replace them with more positive, realistic ones.

By building more effective coping strategies, CBT can be particularly effective for issues like anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy aims to explore deeper, often unconscious thoughts and emotions which influence behaviour. This can mean understanding how past experiences, like family dynamics or early childhood events, impact current behaviours and emotions.

This can be helpful in understanding emotional issues, self-esteem problems and relationship struggles, allowing young people to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings.

Play Therapy

Play Therapy

Play therapy is based on the idea that play is a child’s natural way of communicating. Through play, children can express feelings and experiences they might struggle to talk about.

A range of toys and creative tools allow the child to choose what feels natural. Observing and interacting with the child’s play helps to understand their inner world and help them process emotions or work through difficult experiences.

Play therapy is especially effective for younger children dealing with trauma, grief, anxiety, or social challenges as it lets them communicate in a comfortable, non-verbal way. It helps them develop healthier ways to express their emotions, improve social skills and deal with challenges.

Theraplay

Theraplay is a unique approach that combines elements of play and attachment theory, focusing on building strong, positive connections between children and their caregivers.

It uses structured play activities to create a sense of safety, bonding and trust. Parents and children are guided through games and interactive tasks helping them strengthen their relationships and foster emotional growth.

Theraplay is particularly beneficial for children who have experienced trauma, attachment issues or emotional challenges.

It helps to increase emotional security, better parent-child relationships, improved self-regulation and social skills and provides a safe space for children and caregivers to connect emotionally.

Distinct Benefits

Each of these approaches offer distinct benefits. While CBT provides tools for managing thought patterns, psychodynamic therapy delves into past experiences to understand behaviour. Person-centred therapy and play therapy offer gentle, child-led ways to express and explore feelings, while Theraplay strengthens family connections.

The right modality often depends on the child’s age, personality, and specific challenges.