Being a parent isn't always easy...
... So sometimes you need a bit of extra help and support, whether it's practical advice around behaviour management or how to understand your child, individual child/teen therapy, thinking about your own well-being, or simply being able to talk honestly and openly without feeling judged. All of this happens either via Zoom or, if I come to you, in the comfortable and familiar space of your own home - so there is no impersonal therapy room and no travel inconvenience. It also means I can get a much better sense of your child in their own environment, and generally makes for a much more relaxed experience.
Each child and each family are unique, so I use a range of approaches and modalities depending on what is most likely to be helpful.
The majority of parenting work tends to be very behavioural, but is often combined with positive, solution-focused, thinking, and some explorative work. After a full assessment I will give you practical ideas and strategies to help understand and manage your child's specific behaviours. Common difficulties include:
- Temper tantrums and emotional outbursts
- Feeding, including selective or "fussy" eating
- Toileting, including potty-training and bedwetting.
- Aggressive behaviour such as scratching, biting, hitting
- Sibling rivalry
- Demand avoidance - and the resulting power-struggles it is so easy to get drawn into.
- Living with developmental delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD.
Individual therapy is generally very creative (for example, using drawing and play) for young children, and is more talking-based for older children and teenagers. In both cases there is a strong focus on making it a positive and collaborative experience. I can help children and young people with emotional difficulties including worry (anxiety) and low mood (depression), anger management, issues around parental divorce or separation, bedwetting, bereavement, social and behavioural difficulties, self-harm, and school avoidance.
I also offer Walking-Talking therapy for young teenagers and young people (aged 16+). Research shows that exercise - including walking - can boost mood, decrease stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase self-perception and self-esteem. So, if face-to-face therapy feels a little formal or intimidating, I suggest we walk while we talk. A more relaxed conversation in the fresh air, with a change of scenery and the green open space of your local park or walking route, will all help make it easier to share thoughts and work through difficulties.