What is psychotherapy for children?
Child psychotherapy is a way to help and support children to share their feelings.
It involves someone called a therapist sitting with you and letting you play with toys and drawing to express how you feel inside.
They listen to you talk about the things that are important to you, things that are happening, or the things that don’t make sense. They will try and help you make sense of some of it and make suggestions that could make things better.
Why might you see a therapist?
A therapist’s room is not a bad place and you do not go there because you have been bad or naughty.
It is likely that someone from school or your family / carers think that you would benefit from some help at the moment. It is normal to need some help from time to time. You might be struggling at school or with friends, you might feel unhappy or frightened and don’t know how to tell anyone. Therapists are here to help.
What happens in therapy?
You’ll spend time playing and talking to your therapist in a quiet room. In this room you’ll have your own special box with stuff like toys, pens and drawing paper.
Your therapist will listen and take what you say seriously. They will try to understand your worries and sometimes give you advice on what to do about your problems.
In therapy you can be yourself and talk freely about what is important to you. You don’t need to worry, they will not be offended or think badly of you.
What will my therapist be like?
This is me. I will spend time with you to help you to understand your feelings and help you feel better. I hope to be kind and caring.
Sometimes I will play games with you and sometimes I won’t play games with you because I will want to talk and ask you about the things that don’t make sense.
What is it like visiting for the first time?
It is fine to feel nervous or shy about seeing a therapist for the first time. I understand that coming to a strange place and talking to someone you don’t know might be a bit scary but I will smile and say hello to help you feel a bit better.
It might also be hard for you to talk about your feelings with a stranger but I will be patient and let you talk when you are ready.
Everything will be fine, it may be hard at first, but I’m only here to help
What will happen when I first visit?
If you are early you may have to wait until I am ready to see you. You might want to bring something to play with (e.g. a toy, jigsaw, Lego, book, teddy or tablet).
There are toilets and you might like to use the toilet before your session. There might be other therapists around and young people or adults that are coming to see the therapists. Most people will be quiet so that they do not disturb people that might be in therapy.
When it is time for your appointment I will come and meet you in the waiting room. If there is not a waiting room I will buzz you directly into the building. I will then show you to your therapy room. You will have a special box full of toys and writing paper in the room as well as other activities to do.
