Children
"There is in every child at every stage, a new miracle of vigorous unfolding." Erik Erikson
Childhood is a significant formative and foundational phase of development. It may be important to seek psychological assessment and/or therapeutic intervention for a child if parents, teachers or other professionals are alerted to developmental, social, emotional, behavioural or academic difficulties in their child or a child they work with, in order to ensure that the child’s potential is facilitated as much as possible.
The earlier assessment and intervention is sought if any concerns are apparent, the more the opportunity for informed and directive mediation to facilitate and support a child’s developmental trajectory most optimally.
Children may experience difficulty with adjusting to transitions and changes in their lives, separating from parents, navigating social interactions, and coping emotionally. Therapy is invaluable in supporting children who are experiencing adjustment and emotional difficulties, anxiety and mood difficulties, grief, or trauma.
Play therapy with younger children, creative non-verbal therapy; narrative and cognitive behavioural therapy with older children provide a dedicated safe space for children to process their experience and to express their internal world, thoughts, and feelings.
Individual therapy with children must be complemented by regular input from and feedback to parents and other professionals for holistic support of children within their support system.
Adolescents
“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive that is youer than you.”- Dr Seuss
Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and transition, as well as of identity exploration, formation, and uncertainty. The course of adolescent development brings on sets of developmental tasks and challenges that may require intervention to enhance optimal development during these years. Adolescents are tasked with differentiating from their parents and individuating, with growing autonomy, responsibility and academic demands while faced with new social opportunities and emotional challenges.
As adolescents typically shift their primary focus outward from the family to peers, they are confronted with and have to navigate exciting and unchartered territory, Adolescents may present with a range of challenges requiring psychological intervention and support that may present during these years as they transform from childhood into not-yet adulthood.
Therapy with adolescents may include intervention for navigating emotional challenges, difficulties with anxiety and mood, developing self-esteem and identity as well as social and relational difficulties.
Within the confidential therapeutic space with adolescents, it is equally important that shifts in attachment beyond the family are continuously supported with secure primary attachment as the foundation for healthy adolescent development.