Counselling

At Camrose, we also understand that there are times when life can be particularly hard. In the wake of Covid, we have seen more families experience crisis. Anxiety levels have risen. We are aware that some of our children have experienced early trauma. As a result, have Mr Courtney, a BACP-registered therapist on hand to provide 1:1 counselling within the school. For more information, please contact Mr Courtney.

Facts

• The therapeutic approach at Camrose is play based and child-directed. The child will be offered a unique relationship and a confidential space that seeks to raise their self-awareness through talking, play and creativity.
• Theoretically, the approach is integrative – blending elements of psychodynamic, person-centred / humanistic thinking alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
• Sessions will run for 50 minutes at a time for an initial 10 sessions.
• A review will take place after 7 weeks to see whether an ending after 10 weeks is appropriate or whether the therapy should continue.
• The relationship is consent based at every point. While a child will be welcomed and encouraged to attend each session, they are not obliged to.
• Counselling helps to facilitate healthy coping mechanisms through the processing of difficult feelings and emotions.
• The rapport and relationship that is built between the counsellor and client is the supportive factor that allows the client to take action towards creating positive changes. Reflective mirroring, in the form of the trust between client and counsellor, can provide a fresh perspective and a huge difference to an individual’s emotional life. The relationship enables a child to take the therapy where they need it to go and at their pace.
• Fears, anger, abandonment, rejections, trauma and confusion can all be examined and clarified by using counselling as a mirror that reflects back the truth of the issues and/or problems, in order to find resolution.
• Counselling, therefore, is a place that offers guidance and help to understand, accept and overcome emotional issues, problems and concerns, some of which may be long standing.
• Counselling is not advice and does not seek to ‘mend’ a child through the offering of advice or perceived solutions; it is not a quick-fix or magic answer to life’s problems.    
• Counselling is not a sign of weakness; it means that an individual has the courage to look within themselves. Humanistic thinking states that we all have an in-built ability to cope and find solutions while psychodynamic thinking considers the early experiences that help cultivate emotional reactions.