When a child sits down with their counsellor and begins to talk about their feelings and problems, it can be the start of something that can change their life.
But it鈥檚 often a journey in itself to encourage that child to talk 鈥� and to help them realise that opening up about what they are going through may be beneficial to them.
鈥淭he really important thing is their own identity and their own goals. They need to own counselling for themselves,鈥� said Edith Bell, a member of 香港六合彩精准资料鈥檚 Children, Young People and Families division聽executive.
鈥淐hildren are often sent to counselling on the basis of someone else鈥檚 agenda. They have had their autonomy removed because someone else has made the decision that they need to see a counsellor.
It's about their choices
聽鈥淐ounselling has to be about their choices. Once we鈥檝e got children to engage, it鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� added Edith, who is director of counselling at Familyworks, in Northern Ireland.
Edith said that at the start her work is about making the child feel relaxed, explaining what is going to happen and exploring whether counselling is the right option for them.
Welcoming atmosphere
鈥淚 begin by creating a welcoming atmosphere and working to encourage curiosity in myself and a curiosity in the young person.鈥�
鈥淒uring the pre-assessment I don鈥檛 solicit a lot of information,鈥� she added.
鈥淚 explain counselling hypothetically at first. I talk about what some people come here to discuss, the ways in which I help people.
Non-judgmental
聽鈥淚鈥檓 non-judgmental about whether they are going to go through counselling at all.
鈥淚 begin to create a picture of what counselling is 鈥� and also manage their expectations.鈥�
When the counselling sessions start, it鈥檚 not always sitting and talking that is first on the agenda.
鈥淚 begin by creating a welcome atmosphere and working to encourage curiosity in myself and a curiosity in the young person," said Edith Bell.
Choose an activity
鈥淪ometimes we鈥檒l do an activity. I鈥檝e played computer games with young people before, sometimes it鈥檚 art or clay modelling.
"We'll talk about their interests, what they enjoy doing.
鈥淥ften while they鈥檙e doing the activity, they begin to feel more comfortable, and talk.
鈥淲e begin to identify concerns, interests and strengths," she added.
Actively listening
鈥淎s counsellors, we鈥檙e actively listening. 聽Once they feel listened to, they can begin to explore what they are going through.鈥�
Edith says sometimes she has to explain to her young client that it鈥檚 ok to talk about certain issues.
鈥淐hildren often think that if they say something out loud, it will make something happen. 聽I have to stress that these sessions are just us talking. Just because they say something, voice a fear, it doesn't mean it's going to happen."
The counselling sessions help give the young people the tools to cope in situations in their lives.
And to see the changes they make, can be incredibly rewarding for counsellors.
They have made the change for themselves
鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding because you can celebrate the truth about that child, and that they have made the change for themselves.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 own the process, instead you help the young person achieve the confidence to go out into the real world.
鈥淪ome of the things you have supported them with when they were 15 or 16, well those things may come back to them 10, 15 years later, when they are in their 20s or 30s. It might be of help to them then too. That鈥檚 really exciting to know. When I am contacted again by adults who are doing really well years after I saw them, I鈥檓 absolutely made up for them.
鈥淪eeing the short-term change in a child who has been through counselling is wonderful. Seeing a long-term change can be amazing.鈥�
You can find a 香港六合彩精准资料 counsellor or psychotherapist who specialises in children and young people via our Therapist directory.