Working with Mums-and-babies or young children

My goal in working with children is for the child to become aware that I am able to respect, understand and process the emotions, thoughts and struggles that emerge from the child's conversation, drawing and play. Through my ability to feel, respect and process what is brought by the child, the child learns to process his/her own emotions, thoughts and struggles, rather than react with anxiety, avoidance, aggression, impulsivity, hyperactivity or inattentiveness.It can be an isolating and all-consuming time, in which this type of support can feel difficult to access. That is why I offer you the choice of consultations in your home.

Instead, the emphasis maybe on providing an emotional holding and the joint processing of the mother's experience of this intense period, whilst she in turn provides the psychological and of course the physical holding of the baby/child.

At other times, the therapist may accompany the mother in watching and wondering about the young child's experiences, motivations and struggles, and think with the mother about how the mother feels and responds.

It can be an isolating and all-consuming time, in which this type of support can feel difficult to access. Therefore, mums-and-babies can be seen in their homes, if that is what the mum would prefer.
Also see Services: Mums-and-babies or young children

Working with children

The goal in working with children is for the child to become aware that the therapist is able to respect, understand and process the emotions, thoughts and struggles that emerge from the child's conversation, drawings and play. Through the processing of what is brought to the sessions by the child, the child learns to process his/her own emotions, thoughts and struggles, rather than react with anxiety, avoidance, aggression, impulsivity, hyperactivity or inattentiveness.

In working with parents with concerns about their child, the therapist is looking to assist the parents to think about the underlying nature of their child's struggle and how the parents can leverage off a strong parent-child relationship to guide the child as required, whilst weathering the emotional lows and, of course, delighting in the good times.
Also see Services: Children

Working with adolescents and parents of adolescents

As with working with children, the goal in working directly with adolescents is for the adolescent to become aware that the therapist is able to respect, understand and process the emotions, thoughts and struggles that emerge from his/her conversation, references made to music, and (sometimes) drawings. Through the processing in the sessions of what is brought by the adolescent, the adolescent learns to process more of his/her own emotions, thoughts and struggles, rather than acting out or turning pain inwards. Even the most reluctant and monosyllabic teen is often able to use the therapeutic setting to surprising advantage.

Occasionally, it may be preferable to work directly with the parent rather than engaging in longer term work with the adolescent. Combinations of working with parents and working separately with adolescents often provide the best result. In working with a parent concerned about his/her teenager, the process is about the therapist and parent trying to work out what is being communicated by the adolescent's behaviour and to think about how best to respond. The goal for the parents is not to negate the adolescent's reality, not to over-react and not to disengage. This can be a fine line to find in the storm of emotion between the parent and the adolescent. Parents are encouraged to ensure they have sufficient support to enable them to withstand the inevitable pull-and-push, i.e. need-for-the-parent and need-to-reject-the-parent.
Also see Services: Adolescents

Working with couples

Working with each person separately, as well as having sessions together can allow the exploration of patterns of relating that get in the way of how the two people really want to be within the relationship.

Individual sessions may focus on helping discover what it is that the individual truly wants from the relationship as there is often a disparity between what is being asked for and what is truly desired.

Joint sessions may alternate between therapy-style sessions and mediation-style sessions. In therapy sessions, some free reign is given to the outpouring of emotion and conflict, and patterns of interaction are examined. In mediation sessions, structured negotiation of needs is facilitated. In this way, the practical and emotional aspects of the relationship are both addressed.
Also see Services: Couples Therapy

Working with separated or divorced parents

The process involves individual and joint sessions with the separated or divorced parents. See the detailed section on "The Family Dispute Resolution Process". more ...