Introduction

 
Just like adults, children find it hard to concentrate and perform well if they’re undergoing difficult situations and can trigger the onset of mental issues among them. Giving the child a safe and confidential space through counselling, they can build the strength to go through life’s uncertainties in a more positive way.

Every child needs a loving shoulder to lean on. At times parents are so caught up in the day to day activities that they forget to address the “silly” emotions of a child which may look very small. Trust me these so called ‘very small’ emotions may mount up and become a ‘very big’ over a period of time. Many a times we wonder why our child is so unhappy or angry all the time? We provide them with everything they need and inspite of it why are they unhappy? Children are very fragilee, they need to be handled extremely carefully and the best person who can do this is parents. But at times children are not very open to their parents. They prefer talking to a third person about their deep feelings and emotions because they know that they will not be judged. It’s always better to take help of a child counsellor who is good at handling children’s emotions. A break through is very important for a child to open up. Bottled up emotions in childhood can lead to serious behavioural patterns in adulthood so it is best to address it at the root.
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When does a child need counselling ?

• Children who find it difficult to acquire social skills
• Children who have experienced loss through family breakdown
• Children who have experienced abuse – physical or emotional
• Children with low self-esteem, anxiety or depression
• Children whose behaviours are potentially life threatening
• A serious illness or hospitalization to self or family member
• Death of a friend or family member
• An accident
• Moving to a new school
• Academic difficulties
• Peer and parental pressures
• Being neglected and unappreciated
• Being bullied by others
• Birth of a sibling
• Frequent parental conflicts
• Drug or Alcohol abuse in the family
• Adoption
• Being a victim or witnessing a criminal activity or community violence
• Natural disaster such as flood, earthquake etc.

 
 
 
Many parents try their very best to address all their child's issues and they also go beyond to do all they can for their child. Inspite of all the efforts there can be tiring times for parents as they are unable to address certain issues of their child or at times even unaware of such issues in a childs life.

 Symptoms of  Behavioural and Emotional patterns 

• Excessively sad moods and being pessimistic about life
• Avoiding certain places , people or things due to fear or worries
• Aggressive arguments
• Extremely disobedient
• Hyperactive, impulsive or having problems concentrating
• Experiencing difficulties going to school
• Experiencing frequent anger tantrums
• Struggling with being away from parents
• Extreme shyness and social anxiety
• Excessive attachment with the parent
• Suffering from inferiority and low self esteem
• Difficulty making new friends and maintaining friendship.
• Making negative self-statements or demonstrating self-destructive behaviours

 
 
 
Child counselling aims to help children cope better with their emotions, understand problems, develop necessary coping skills and make positive choices. During counselling, children are encouraged to explore and express their feelings through one of many medium depending on the child’s individual preference such as talking, artwork, story telling , drama or play, clay work, etc.
 
The length of time a child attends the counselling will depend on the issues.
Per one-one sessions will approximately last for 60-90 minutes
Parental consent is needed before counselling begins. Confidentiality exists between counsellor and the child.
Permission will be sought from the child to discuss any other issues with their parents/guardians. Confidentiality does not restrain the child from telling others about their counselling sessions.

We help parents explore and develop strategies that will help them deal with the child’s behaviours that which is an area of concern.
Parents are the most important people in their child’s life so they are encouraged to be part of the counselling process.
 

Counselling is a safe place for adolescents and children to explore their thoughts, feelings and concerns without being judged.
Sometimes you may just want to talk and be heard as many adolescents and children feel that no one listens.
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Adolescent Counselling

Adolescents may need counselling for many reasons as listed below

• Relationships – siblings, parents, friends, teachers, peers
• Alcohol and drugs.
• Self-harm.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Bullying.
• Low self-esteem 
• Death and loss.
• Conflicts/separation/divorce of parents
• Domestic violence
• Physical/emotional abuse