Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists work with young people up to the age of 25, children, families and parents and carers who have or are experiencing a range of emotional difficulties. It is not always easy to know why we are feeling sad, angry, upset, confused. Children and adolescents often show their distress through their behaviour rather than words, which can be disturbing and distressing to them and to those who care for them. Points of change and transition are often challenging. Growing up is difficult. Moving from one developmental stage to another - from home to school, to higher education, to the adult world of work - can provoke anxiety.

How We Work

This is a non-directive way of working. The nature of the therapy changes with each developmental stage. In general, small children play and will often be very active in the therapy room. Older children often choose to play games or draw and construct but they also begin to use language more to talk about their interests, worries and desires and the ordinary goings-on of lives. Work with adolescents is closer to adult work where free association and dreams rather than toys and play will be the route to deeper exploration and understanding. Making links and patterns over time with the unconscious communications in the material helps the young person to both feel understood and to also understand themselves better. As the troubling feelings are put into words the presenting difficulties and symptoms generally reduce, leading to more settled and happier relationships for the child or young person and their families.