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.
Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Therapy for Children aged 8-12
children services Barnardt & Fleming psychologist cape town
Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Emotional Regulation Skills for Children
Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Enquiries Call Kirsten Barnardt: 0637709850
Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Support for Parents

RECOMMENDED LINKS

EMOTIONS & MENTAL HEALTH

COPING WITH WORRY
Interactive self-help book for children aged 6-12 by Dawn Huebner “What to do when you worry too much” (2005).

REGULATING ANGER
Interactive self-help book for children aged 8-12 by Dawn Huebner “What to do when your temper flares” (2007).

Some of the causes of aggression in children – Child Mind Institute.

SELF ESTEEM
Interactive self-help book for children aged 8-12 by Dawn Huebner “What to do when mistakes make you quake” (2015).

RESILIENCE
From Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.

Building resilience – UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Support.

SEPARATION ANXIETY
Book for children aged 3-8 by Audrey Penn “A Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon” (2007).

Signs of Separation Anxiety Disorder in children – Anxiety BC website.

Helping children with Separation Anxiety – raisingchildren.net.au

SOCIAL ANXIETY
Signs of social anxiety in children – Anxiety BC website.

Tips for managing social anxiety – Child Mind Institute.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
Signs of generalized anxiety in children – Anxiety BC website.

Coping with anxiety – UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Support.

Tip sheets and articles for parents to help their children manage anxiety & stress – UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Support.

RELATIONSHIPS

FRIENDSHIPS
Book for childen aged 3-7 by Simona Ciraola, “Hug Me” (2014)

LOSING A LOVED ONE
Book for children aged 4-8 by Oliver Jeffers “The Heart and the Bottle” (2010).

Journal for children by Amy Eldon, “Angel Catcher for Kids: A Journal to Help You Remember the Person You Love Who Died” (2002).

BULLYING 
“School Bullying is Nothing New, But Psychologists Identify New Ways to Prevent It”. Article from the American Psychological Association

What to do if your child is a bully. Article from the Child Mind Institute.

“How to Arm Your Child Against Bullying”. Article from the Child Mind Institute.

PARENTING

BONDING WITH YOUR CHILD
Website: www.zerotothree.org

NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S MIND
Book By Daniel Siegel, “The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive” (2012).Workbook also available.

DISCIPLINE
Book By Daniel Siegel, “No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind” (2016).