Psychotherapy With Children & Adolescents

Childhood may sometimes be looked back on by adults nostalgically as a happy time, however there are challenges children and adolescents face that can be confusing or distressing. Dealt with early and effectively these can be resolved, if not they can generate more stress and anxiety for the young person and their family. When a child or teenager is worried or upset they are more likely to withdraw or ‘act out’. This is the behaviour that parents, teachers or health professionals are likely to see and are an indicator that something isn’t okay in that young person’s experience.

Some of the difficulties a child may experience may include:

  • Inability to concentrate at school
  • Trouble sleeping or nightmares
  • Loss or bereavement of a person or a pet
  • Bullying or issues around friendships
  • Extreme anger or tearfulness

When a child or young person is able to engage with therapy they are able to explore issues they are facing which helps in various ways:

  • To deal with emotionally difficult issues and learn ways of resolving them
  • Learn to function in a change of environment
  • Assist with developmental milestones
  • Help change their thinking and/or behaviour that is causing problems

The teenage years are a time of transition and there are a number of reasons for these. Changes are going on within the body, biological and hormonal changes are happening very quickly and outside in the environment with relationships with peers and parents, at school, home or work. It is also a time where a young person is forming their identity which amidst the flux of change can be confusing.

Adolescent psychotherapy can help explore these issues and help a young person through these issues with confidence. It often helps to focus less on talking and more on the use of creative media such as clay, painting or sand tray work.

Some of the difficulties you may experience as a teenager include:

  • Trouble with sleeping
  • Feeling anxious, tense, angry or tearful
  • Feeling like you don’t fit in or not knowing what you want to do
  • Finding it difficult to talk about your worries with your parents
  • Loss through bereavement, separation or divorce
  • Anxiety around school, exams, friendships, bullying
  • Issues around drugs, alcohol or sexual health
  • Making the transition from childhood to adulthood
  • Negotiating the difficult balance between the natural desire to become more involved with peers and less with parents
  • Learning to be able to communicate your needs and express your feelings in a way that maintains enough connection between you and your parents and at the same time reducing conflict.


Issues Worked With

  • Abuse – emotional & physical
  • Anxiety
  • Grief & loss
  • Bullying
  • Domestic Violence
  • Exclusion from school
  • Imprisonment of family members
  • Low confidence & self esteem
  • Looked after children or in foster care
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Stress
  • Trouble Sleeping