Child therapy
Integrative Child Psychotherapy is a gentle and often non-directive treatment for children, young people, parents and families that can help with a wide range of behavioural and emotional difficulties.
What is child psychotherapy?
Child psychotherapy helps children and young people understand their feelings. From sadness and anger to painful or confusing feelings, it’s a beneficial therapy that can improve relationships and behaviour at home.
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have a team of licenced child psychotherapists who are trained to help children make sense of their feelings through alternative methods like talking, playing, drawing, and more.
The main difference between child psychology and adult psychology
Differences between child psychotherapy and adult psychotherapy are the focus and techniques used. For example, child psychotherapy addresses developmental milestones and challenges with emotional regulation, social skills, behaviour, or attachment issues. Whereas, adult psychotherapy focuses on issues like relationships, stress, work, trauma, depression, anxiety, and more.
There are also differences in the communication styles used. Child psychotherapy focuses on some non-verbal methods to help articulate emotions as well as techniques that integrate play, art, and storytelling.
Issues child psychotherapy can help with
Child psychotherapy can help with a range of different psychological or emotional issues when these issues have been going on for some time or are quite severe. Here are just a few of the issues child psychotherapy can help with.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behaviour difficulties
- Bullying
- Hyperactivity
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Post-traumatic symptoms
- Grief
- Self-esteem
- Family-related concerns
How does child psychotherapy work?
Child therapists support children and young people by responding to what might be being communicated through talking, creativity, behaviour and play. Young children do not usually talk openly about their difficulties and will often communicate feelings and thoughts through play, the arts and by using the toys provided in the therapy room. Older children and young adults may also use the arts to explore how they feel or they may like to talk through experiences and any associated feelings. Over time, anxious, hurt, angry or upsetting feelings can be put into words rather than actions and the child or young person can be helped to make sense of their feelings and experiences.
The therapeutic process can be short-term or long-term with each appointment often lasting fifty minutes. More often than not children are seen individually, however sometimes children and parents are seen together or sometimes parents or carers meet with the therapist without the child being present. Child therapists can also offer support to other professionals working with children including teachers, learning mentors, social workers, health visitors, and youth workers as their skills can help make sense of more complex behaviour, as well as offer advocacy to children facing complicated and difficult life experiences.
Child psychotherapy services that we offer:
Psychodynamic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Trauma, Loss and Bereavement
Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for young people aged 16 and over
Clinical Psychology for young people aged 16 and over
Art Therapy for young people aged 16 and over
Psychotherapy for children with neurodiversity, including ADHD and autism
Post-Disaster and Community Trauma Support
Post-Adoption Support and work with children in and out of care
Play and creative methods are integrated throughout, particularly when working with younger children.
What to expect in child psychotherapy
Child psychotherapy is undertaken by clinicians who have specific training in working with children and young people. During the sessions, the clinician will use both age-appropriate talk therapy alongside play therapy to build trust and form an alliance with the child. This is to encourage the child to express themselves and feel comfortable in this unfamiliar setting.
Depending on the circumstances and age of the child, the parents may or may not be in the room during the session. However, with younger children, much of the work is directly carried out with the parents rather than the child. This is something that will be discussed with parents before therapy commences.
Child therapists
We have a number of practitioners who are child therapists and highly experienced in working with children and teenagers. They are able to cover a range of issues.
Jonny McAuley is a psychodynamic child and adolescent psychotherapist with extensive experience working with children and young people. He offers a thoughtful and inclusive therapeutic space where children, adolescents, and young people can begin to explore difficult thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Jonny has ten years of experience working with young people aged 4–25 presenting with a range of emotional and developmental difficulties.
Georgie Leake is a NVR UK accredited Advanced Level NVR Practitioner. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, a Master of Education (Special Needs and Inclusive Education), a Master of Arts in Social Sciences and QTLS. Georgie is available to provide NVR support to birth, fostering and adoptive families. Typically her work involves consultation with parents and does not require the direct involvement of the child, though the work is flexible according to the needs of each family.
Lucie Ramet is an experienced chartered psychologist and CBT & ACT therapist offering short- and long-term individual support to adolescents (16+). Her aim is to empower adolescents and young adults to walk their path, find purpose, and lead meaningful lives, fostering resilience and skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. She works in English and French.
Kirsty Toal is a HCPC registered art psychotherapist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist offering short- and long-term therapy to 16+ adolescents. Her background in art psychotherapy allows creative ways to communicate thoughts and emotions, supporting young people to share in whatever ways feel safe and helpful, at their own pace, as sometimes words can be difficult to find.
Areas we cover
We have practices in Lewes and Hove and have clients from right across Sussex as well as London and further afield. To find out about the help Brighton & Hove Psychotherapy can offer get in touch with us today.
Why choose Brighton and Hove psychotherapy?
Our practices in Brighton and Lewes hold many highly trained child therapists who are dedicated to providing tailored therapy to each child and family. We strive to create a welcoming, safe environment where children can begin to understand their emotions through a range of focused techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
It’s often when your child experiences persistent mood changes or a consistent emotion for a number of weeks that you should consider therapy. For example, if they are feeling sad, worried, or anxious. Alternatively, if they are down about their body image, have gone through a big change in their life, or you’ve noticed they are more irritable or negative in their thinking, it may be a sign that your child needs therapy.
What ages do you work with?
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, our child therapy team is trained to work with children from the age of 5 upwards.
How long will my child be in therapy?
The length of your child’s therapy will be dependent on many factors including the complexity of their issues. Some children will benefit from short-term therapy while others may need longer-term or ongoing support.
What techniques are used during child psychotherapy?
Our child psychotherapists use a range of techniques, including:
Is child psychotherapy confidential?
Yes. Generally, child psychotherapy is confidential, but therapists may share essential updates with parents whilst still respecting the child’s privacy. There are exceptions where the child’s safety is at risk.
How will I know therapy is working on my child?
When therapy begins to have an effect on your child, you should notice improvements in behaviour, emotional regulation, coping skills, and overall demeanour.
What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?
Many children are initially hesitant about therapy. However, our child psychotherapists are experienced in helping children feel safe and comfortable, but this may take a few sessions. It’s important parents help present therapy as a fun and supportive experience.
