Young People and Families

Karen integrates Dramatherapy and Neuro-dramatic play approaches to work alongside children, young people and their families.

 

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” ~ Friedrich Froebel

When our children and young people are facing challenges and difficulties, it can be hard for them to speak about how they feel or what is going on in their world.  Emotions can become over-whelming, confusing, hard to understand or remain a mystery to them.

 

These Children and Young people may be communicating to us in-directly and unconsciously through their play and behaviour.  For example, they may appear anxious or withdrawn, others may hit out at others or hurt themselves.

Dramatherapy engages children and young people through their natural ability to play, imagine and create.  This offers them a different language and a safe way to express and make sense of feelings, thoughts and experiences.

 

Karen has worked therapeutically within Mental Health, Education and Trauma specific settings.  Her creative, compassionate, and playful practice has helped young people and their families who have attracted many different diagnoses and labels such as: –

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Attachment difficulties and disorders
  • Sexually Inappropriate Behaviour (SIBs)
  • Phobias
  • Life changing injury or life limiting conditions.
  • Neurodiversity – Those on the Autistic spectrum, including those with a PDA profile.
  • Disordered Eating
  • Self-Harm
  • Trichotillomania
  • Panic Attacks
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Anger/Violence to others/destruction of property
  • Withdrawn and Socially Isolated
  • Low confidence and Self-esteem
  • Sleep difficulties and Insomnia

Your child and family may be facing issues and life events including: –

 

  • Abuse
  • Trauma
  • Loss/Bereavement
  • Recent Mental or Physical Health Diagnosis
  • Changes in home life – Parental separation/New Blended family/Moving house/ New siblings.
  • Changes in School Life – Moving school or year group, friendship breakups, exams.
  • Social difficulties
  • Identity and Gender Identity issues
  • Bullying others or being bullied.
  • Separation Anxiety

Dramatherapy Sessions.

One to One Dramatherapy sessions are offered weekly, at the same regular time slot, for an hour.  Sessions are held at Lifeways Centre in Stratford-Upon -Avon. Depending on the age of the child/young person the length of the session can be reduced or extended depending on need.

Family Support and Review Sessions

It is important to work alongside and support the wider family when working with any child or young person. Although the one-to-one session content is confidential, I will offer regular family support and review sessions.  These can be used to work creatively and playfully together on family challenges and be used for everyone to feedback on the Dramatherapy process.  Karen and the family can share insights and our understanding of issues together to aid homelife, school and any wider services to support the Child/Young Person in everyday life.

Session Costs:

Sessions cost £65 per hour.

Written reports/ External Meetings £65 per hour (plus travel expenses)

Here’s what some of the Children, Young People and Families have had to say about Dramatherapy:

[Dramatherapy] was fun, we played games and the time flies by. My angry [name] is not so difficult.  My anger is less now

Male

Age 14

I liked the drawings.  I also liked the cards with the emotions.  I like dramatherapy cos’ it releases the stress.  Dramatherapy has helped me with getting to talk about my feelings

Female

Age 15

Karen has been kind, patient and understanding.  My Daughter was very withdrawn and didn’t talk at all. The Dramatherapy has enabled [name] to come out of her shell and feel safe at home and school again. Now we can’t stop her talking and singing!

Caroline

Parent

Why Not Get In Touch?

Why not give me a call for an initial consultation to discuss your needs
CONTACT ME