Psychodynamic Psychotherapy uses a range of techniques, including play, artwork or conversation, depending on the young person’s age or ability, to understand current difficulties or concerns, or to process past experiences. Length of therapy and types of intervention are thought about during the assessment process, and throughout, with parent meetings an important aspect of the process.
The therapeutic relationship is used to understand the child or young person’s patterns of relating and how they tend to cope with emotional experience. Gradually, we aim to build a trusted relationship between young person and therapist, allowing an exploration of concerns at the child or young person’s own pace.
A child or young person’s behaviour is a form of communication, and it can give us important clues as to what they may be struggling with and the nature of their inner world, where thoughts and feelings as well as core beliefs built up through their experiences, all combine.
Rather than taking behaviour at face value, I aim to look beneath the presenting symptoms, encouraging parents or carers to do the same, in order to understand the way a child or young person may be expressing emotions or conflicts which are too difficult or confusing to put into words.
You can find more information about research, efficacy and NICE guidelines on the ACP website here
