Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist work with a great variety of young people (age 4-18) who have difficulties for instance in school, transitions, during parental separation, bereavement, disability, trauma, long-term hospitalization due to complicated medical situations, and other events in a family's life that are challenging.

 

Child & adolescent therapists also work with some of the most vulnerable children in Ireland including those with long-term mental health problems, looked after children in foster care or state care, children living in direct provision (DP), and young people with  histories of severe neglect, abuse and attachment difficulties.

 

A trained child & adolescent therapist pays close attention to how a child or young person communicates their feelings and experiences, for example, through play, verbal communications (stories & ideas) or through their behaviour. A child therapist will seek to bring about symptom relief by helping the child or adolescent to make sense of their experiences, thoughts and feelings. It is hoped that by being attentively listened to and understood a thoughtful therapeutic relationship develops with their therapist. It is through the relationship and guidance that young people will find new and healthier ways of managing their difficulties. Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy is a relational approach. 

 

Alongside the work with the young person a child therapist also meets with the parents/guardians on a regular basis for review and feedback meetings and/or also provides parent support work if requested. 

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