Working with youth

Through kindness, compassion and affirmation, along with the therapist's unconditional positive regard we build a relationship where the client feels heard and accepted. Within this safe space, you can explore traumatic experiences or difficulties in your life, along with associated thoughts and feelings. Talking therapy and being seen and heard enables the client to soothe feelings of hurt, loss and confusion.

Using psychoeducation the client develops in their understanding of how the body develops responses to trauma and how early experiences can impact how body and mind work together.

​​Using creative approaches with each individual enables them to explore their thoughts and feelings from an third person perspective. Using drawing, games, images, sand and stones the client develops skills in communicating and managing their feelings. This brings increased self-regulation and further exploration of feared and hidden emotions. In the therapeutic space I support clients with a deep congruent presence of my true self, being fully present and genuine in my concern. As the client explores more deeply within the secure therapeutic relationship, they experience new physiological and affective relational experiences giving new meaning and initiating healing of internalised emotions.

The client sets goals and makes choices regarding the direction the therapy takes. I am open about empathic feelings I experience in response to the client, mirroring the client and giving them permission to be open about what they are experiencing as they touch on challenging thoughts and feelings.   
I intentionally affirm and validate the client for who they are along with the impact of their experiences. The young person identifies their unique strengths and qualities and grows in self-understanding of their internalised values and ethics, whilst developing their communication and relational skills.