What is Psychotherapy?

What is Psychotherapy?

Child Psychotherapists are trained to observe and respond to how a child or young person might be communicating through their behaviour and play. They want to look beyond the problematic emotions, behaviours or relationships and to help children and adolescents, and their families, to better understand themselves and their difficulties.  For some children and adolescents their emotional and mental health problems may be severe and long-lasting; it is not uncommon for these young people to respond to people and situations in ways that they neither understand nor can control and this is where psychotherapy can often help.

At PhoenixSoul, a key component of our practice is that we always carry out a thorough assessment ahead of beginning to work with family to ensure that psychotherapy is the right course of action and if it is not then we are able to advise further and perhaps refer to other professionals. 

A Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist can help the child or adolescents to understand himself or herself through the establishment of their therapeutic relationship; it is often the means by which difficulties in other relationships can be identified and explored. Through this relationship with the therapist in a consistent setting, the child or adolescent may begin to get to know themselves better and express their troubling thoughts and feelings. As a result, they are likely to feel less anxious, more able to learn and better able to sustain friendships. It can also improve the quality of life within the family or in relationships with carers and professionals.

In any psychological treatment there is a risk of feeling worse before you feel better. Behaviour can become worse in the short term, before it improves. Children sometimes find their sessions stir up unwelcome feelings, thoughts and memories. This can make them dismissive or critical of their therapist. Children work hard during treatment and this can take a lot of emotional energy. Parental support is important throughout the process; at PhoenixSoul a psychotherapist will often offer therapeutic input to parents and caregivers in order that they may better manage this process.