THERAPY FOR CHILDREN

Therapy can help your child develop age appropriate problem solving skills and emotional regulation strategies. The aim of the initial session, which typically involves the whole family, is for the therapist to gain an understanding of the concerns you are hoping to address. As parents you play a vital role in assisting your child and as such will be asked to attend several sessions with your child. The first four sessions form part of an assessment in which, in addition to your child spending individual time with the therapist, you as parents will also be asked to provide helpful background information relating to your child’s developmental, social, school and medical history. It is also helpful for the therapist to get a better understanding of the parents’ background history. After the initial assessment phase, you will be given feedback and therapy goals will be discussed. A therapy process will likely involve individual sessions with your child and parental feedback sessions in which you may also be provided with helpful strategies and resources.

At times, family therapy or referrals to other health care professionals may also be recommended. The length of a therapy process varies depending on the needs on the needs of your child but a proposed number of sessions will be discussed in your feedback session following the assessment.

 

Children may benefit from help in the following areas:

  • Strong emotions such as anxiety, anger or sadness
  • Separation difficulties
  • Loss & Bereavement
  • Behavioural challenges
  • Bullying
  • Adjusting to changes such as coping with the birth of sibling, parents’ divorce or going to a new school

GROUPS FOR CHILDREN

GROUPS FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 - 9 YEARS OLD

Kirsten Barnardt and Karen Fleming provide therapeutic groups for children ranging in age from 5 to 9 years old. These groups aim to teach children skills that help with their emotional and social development. Typically there are between five to eight children of the same age in a group. Group therapy topics are based on the need but include: emotional regulation, social skills, bereavement and separation anxiety.

COOL CHAMELEONS EMOTIONAL REGULATION PROGRAMME

This six week programme helps children (5 to 9 years old) to identify what they are feeling and equips them with skills to help regulate emotions and solve problems.  Children attend six group sessions with their peers where they participate in games and activities that help introduce the skills. Parents are given a guide book that explains how they can help their child to practise the skills.

TEAM TIME SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP

Learning social skills forms a crucial part of a child’s development. In this group we help children learn and strengthen valuable social skills through a variety of interactive activities with peers. These skills include: communication, conflict resolution, apologising, empathy, assertiveness and listening. Children are given activities to take home and practise. The activities have instructions for parents on how they can assist their child.

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 - 11

Kirsten Barnardt and Karen Fleming have developed psycho-educational and therapeutic programmes for children, adolescents and professionals working with youth. For children, these programmes have included the Cool Chameleons Emotional Regulation Programme and Team Time Social Skills Group. For professionals, this has included workshops on understanding challenging behaviour in children and how to make use of positive discipline strategies.
Therapy for Children aged 8-12
children services Barnardt & Fleming psychologist cape town
Emotional Regulation Skills for Children
Enquiries Call Kirsten Barnardt: 0637709850

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