Child and Teen Therapy
As a narrative therapist, I believe that every child and teen has their own unique story, filled with strengths and resilience, even in times of struggle. In therapy, I work collaboratively with young individuals to explore and reframe the challenges they face, helping them to separate themselves from their difficulties. By giving them the space to discover and rewrite their stories, we empower them to find their voice, build self-esteem, and reclaim control over their lives. My goal is to support them in creating a narrative where they are the heroes of their own journey, capable of overcoming obstacles and moving forward with confidence.
Child Therapy
As a therapist working with children, I focus on helping them separate their problems from their identity and encourage them to see themselves as capable of overcoming challenges.
Externalizing the Problem:
This technique involves helping the child see the problem as something outside of themselves, rather than something that defines them. For example, if a child is struggling with anxiety, we might call it "The Worry Monster." The child can then talk about what "The Worry Monster" does, how it affects their life, and what strengths they have to fight it. This helps the child feel empowered.
Example: "How does the Worry Monster try to get in the way when you're trying to do your homework? What are some things you've done in the past to keep it away?"
Storytelling and Reframing:
Children love stories, so I might invite them to tell stories about their experiences, particularly when they feel stuck or overwhelmed. We can explore the "plot" of the story together and look for moments where they showed courage or strength, even if they didn’t realize it at the time.
Example: "Tell me about a time when you felt like the 'Anger Storm' was coming, but you managed to do something different. What did you do, and how did that change things for you?"
Creating a “Preferred Future”:
We might use play or drawing to help the child imagine a future where the problem has been solved or is no longer in control. This can be empowering for the child, as they can see themselves as the hero of their own story.
Example: "Imagine it's six months from now, and the problem is no longer there. What are you doing differently? How are you feeling? Who are you spending time with?"
Therapeutic Play and Art:
Through drawing, playing with toys, or other creative activities, children can express their emotions and thoughts in a non-verbal way. I might use dolls or action figures to act out scenarios, which allows the child to externalize the problem and explore different ways of coping.
Example: Using action figures to create scenes where the characters have to solve a problem together, discussing the choices they make, and how they overcome obstacles.
Exploring Family Stories and Values:
By involving family members or learning about the child's family history, I can help the child understand the values, traditions, and strengths they have inherited from their family. This can be a way of connecting the child to a larger narrative of resilience and support.
Example: "Tell me about a time when your family faced something difficult. How did they come together to help each other? What do you think you've learned from them?"
Re-authoring Conversations:
I may invite the child to describe past experiences in a way that highlights their strengths or the lessons they learned, rather than focusing on the negative parts of the experience.
Example: "What did you learn about yourself when you were able to stand up to the bully at school? What kind of person does that show you are?"
Teen Therapy
As a therapist working with teens, I focus on helping them understand and reshape their stories, empowering them to overcome challenges and build a sense of agency.
Externalizing the Problem:
I help teens see their struggles as separate from their identity. By naming the problem, such as "The Self-Doubt Voice" or "The Stress Monster," the teen can explore how it affects their life without feeling like they are the problem.
Example: "What does the Stress Monster say to you when you're feeling overwhelmed? How can you fight back against it?"
Reframing Negative Beliefs:
Teens often struggle with negative self-beliefs. I work with them to identify and challenge these beliefs, then reframe them in a way that highlights their strengths.
Example: "When you think about failing the test, what else could that experience mean? What does it say about your ability to keep trying and learn from mistakes?"
Exploring Stories of Strength:
We look for past moments where the teen demonstrated resilience or overcame difficulties. By focusing on these stories, we can build a sense of self-efficacy and remind the teen of their inner strength.
Example: "Tell me about a time you faced a tough situation and handled it better than you expected. What strengths did you tap into during that time?"
Creating a “Preferred Future”:
I help the teen imagine a future where they are living in alignment with their values and overcoming their current struggles. This process helps them envision the steps they can take to get there.
Example: "Imagine it’s a year from now, and things have improved. What does your life look like? How are you handling stress, and who are you becoming in the process?"
Writing and Journaling:
Writing is an effective tool for teens to process their emotions and thoughts. I may ask them to journal about their experiences, which can help them understand their story better and identify patterns.
Example: "Write about a time when you felt empowered, even in the midst of a difficult situation. What did you learn about yourself from that experience?"
Mapping the Influence of Relationships:
I help teens examine the roles that important people (family, friends, mentors) play in their lives and how their relationships shape their identity. This often involves exploring both positive influences and challenging dynamics.
Example: "How do your friends or family support you in times of stress? How might they encourage you to view yourself differently?"
Re-authoring Conversations:
I invite the teen to rewrite their life narrative, focusing on moments of growth and possibility rather than limitations. This process helps them see themselves as active agents in their own story.
Example: "If you could rewrite the story of this difficult year, how would you tell it differently? What parts would you highlight to show your strength?"
Family Therapy
When working with young children, and occasionally with older children or teens, I recommend family therapy instead of individual therapy. This recommendation is based on what is bringing the client to therapy and is highly situational. Some examples of situations where family therapy might be more beneficial include when the presenting problem is a communication issue between the client and the family, when the problem is more of a family dynamic issue than an individual one, or when the child would benefit from spending time with their parents or guardians. Family therapy would not be considered if it could put the child or teen in any danger.
Therapy sessions would be run similarly to how child and teen therapy sessions are run, and will be tailored to the clients needs.
Example: A five year old client playing a game with parents and therapist to work on communicating emotions to people around them. This would help teach the child to rely on parents as people they could rely on.
