#Child Psychotherapy

[familyfirstplaytherapy]

Why Is It Important to Teach Social Skills to Children on The Autism Spectrum

Social skills are the rules and customs that guide our interactions with other people and the world around us. In general, people tend to learn social skills in the same way they learn language skills: naturally and easily. They use these skills in a flexible manner to navigate their environment. For people with autism it can be harder to learn these skills, forcing them to guess what their response to a particular environment should be. This often results in increased anxiety and lower self esteem.

Learning social skills is essential to helping the child become more independent at home, school, and within the community. By introducing these skills early and continuing to build on them, people with autism gain the necessary tools to successfully maneuver the world around them.  This success results in greater self-confidence and higher self-esteem as well as assists in successfully building self-regulation and mastery with life skills in positive ways.   Therefore, Social skills development for people with autism involves:

Individualized programming and direct one to one instruction

“Teachable moments” with practice in realistic settings

Support for enhancing communication and sensory integration

Learning behaviours that predict important social outcomes like building friendships and experiencing joy and happiness within relationships.

[krystalfamilypsychiatry]

Child psychotherapy is a delicate and profound journey, one that often begins with a courageous step toward vulnerability. The demand for effective mental health solutions is increasingly crucial, and recognizing the power of vulnerability in young patients is central to transformative care.

[freyatarotreadings8]

In order to embrace parents, allow them to evolve on their own terms and at their own pace. People only change when they choose to change. The more you tell someone to do this and that, the less they want to do it. Instead, allow your parents to choose their own path and accept the fact that they may never change. You may be the only person who wants them to change, but they won't, even though you think it would be good for them. Give up the fantasy that one day your parents will change. When we can't accept another person, it's usually not about that person. It's about us. We try to control the actions and behavior of others because we don't want to deal with our own grief. Recognizing our parents' right to be who they are means we have to face reality and leave the fantasies behind. It means we have to come to terms with the fact that they weren't as caring or as supportive as we imagined or wanted them to be. It also means we have to accept that it is not in our power to get "perfect love" from our parents or, for that matter, from anyone else. Our fantasy of our own parents only hides the pain we felt as children. Realizing that it is only a fantasy can bring back our childhood pain. However, we can only be free when we work through our emotions - anger, resentment, shame, fear and grief - and when we accept our parents for who they are. Only by accepting our parents will we be able to take on the responsibility of loving and caring for ourselves without expecting or depending on them for anything. The only way to improve our relationship with our parents is to change the way we treat them. And to do that, we must change ourselves.

[drasadonbrown]

“Do not forget that children are like rainbows; they come in an array of personalities, levels of resiliency, and a variety of temperaments.” ~ Asa Don Brown

#children #books #rainbows #resiliency #personalities #temperaments #insulatin #ISeeMe #asadonbrown

[pinchcinnamon]

my playlist for the last week:

[dear-future-ai]

Dear future AI

and programmers

and parents,

Since they’re prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed, kids can upregulate self reflection in VR setting so they are fully immersed by the visual and auditory stimuli.

Basically, VR is real to children.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Martin Beckford

Published: Dec 28, 2022

Nearly 8,000 children waiting for NHS gender identity treatment, figures show

Number of under-18s on waiting lists has risen 67 per cent in less than two years

Comes amid growing concern from politicians, parents and medical experts

The youngsters had been due to have an appointment at the Tavistock Centre 

Nearly 8,000 children are on the waiting list for NHS gender identity treatment, official figures have revealed.

The number is a rise of more than two-thirds (67 per cent) in less than two years and comes amid growing concerns from medical experts, parents and politicians.

The youngsters, who were under-18, were in line for an appointment at a controversial NHS clinic after they sought professional help.

They were due to have a first appointment with the Tavistock Clinic’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), which is being closed down in the wake of a damning review. 

Those waiting to be seen will now be sent to two replacement centres that will open in the spring.

Last night, the role of social media was being questioned in the rise of referrals.

Stephanie Davies-Arai, director of campaign group Transgender Trend, told the Mail: ‘These figures support the concern that social contagion is responsible for large numbers of teenagers who are suddenly identifying as trans and that contagion is now spread very quickly through social media platforms.’

The number of English children in line for gender identity treatment was disclosed with little fanfare by the NHS as it consulted on plans to replace the Tavistock GIDS clinic after a landmark review by Dr Hilary Cass in March found it was not ‘safe or viable’ to have a single provider.

She said patients were left in ‘considerable distress’ as the Tavistock struggled with surging demand, and also raised concern about the possible effects of puberty-blocking drugs on young brains after they were handed out to children as young as ten.

The impact assessment showed there were 1,279 under-17s ‘under the care of GIDS’ in June this year, along with another 255 older teenagers who were about to be transferred to an adult gender dysphoria clinic.

It said there were 7,696 ‘children and young people on the waiting list for GIDS for a first appointment’ – far more than the 4,600 found when the CQC watchdog inspected the Tavistock in October 2020.

The Tavistock said it is still booking appointments for those at the top of its waiting list.

And another 5,200 children and young people per year ‘may be referred to one of the early adopter services’ run by the country’s leading children’s hospitals that will replace the GIDS clinic in the spring.

One will be in London, led by Great Ormond Street and Evelina, and the other in the North West, led by Alder Hey in Liverpool and the Royal Manchester.

Full details will be published in the new year.

The cohort of patients is likely to include many of those on the existing waiting list, who will be assessed but may not be put on puberty-blockers as the new service will put a greater emphasis on mental health support.

Child safety campaigners took heart earlier this month when the Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, a transgender youth support organisation that had been accused of offering chest-binders to teenage girls against their parents’ wishes.

Attention has now turned to Scotland where an SNP Bill, passed by Holyrood last week, will allow anyone as young as 16 to change their legal sex simply by signing a declaration – removing the need for a medical diagnosis or to live for two years in their new gender.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is considering issuing a legal order to stop the reforms from becoming law.

An NHS spokesman said: ‘NHS England is expanding healthcare services for young people with gender dysphoria, and is working with existing and new providers to establish two new services, with up to seven additional services to follow across England once the Cass Review has issued further advice.’

[whats-in-a-sentence]

It was early in my career, and I had been seeing Mary, a shy, lonely, and physically collapsed young woman, for about three months in a weekly psychotherapy, dealing with the ravages of her terrible history of early abuse.

"The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma" - Bessel van der Kolk

[msclaritea]

No wonder Beau Is Afraid turns me off. It's using psychobabble from the likes of Freud and Jung. Freud, who stabbed his female clients in the back, making up an entire phony ailment to explain away why they believed they were assaulted. Freud wanted to keep their wealthy, paying husbands happy. So, he essentially faked the conclusions of his research. Freud also gave license to sexual child abuse in his work. Jung, who got almost the entirety of his ideas from Gabrielle Rossetti was an Occultist crackpot. There are papers talking about the real dangers of using Jung. Elites LOVE Freud and Jung and both are dangerous.

As an aside, any film that has to send trolls to attack people for giving bad reviews is shady as fuck.

"Jung's techniques took away people's ability to focus their attention and separate out thoughts. He shot their cognitive resources to hell.” 

[returning-to-her]

Victim blaming versus actual victim? A big problem with our mental health care system.

- By Laura Rose

[familyfirstplaytherapy]

Gentle Sleep Support and Services

Family First Play Therapy Centre is now very excited to now offer a sleep support program.The Gentle Sleep Coaching® method provides gentle proven solutions to help your child sleep well and wake up happy. The Sleep Lady® Shuffle helps parents learn to use proven step-by-step changes in bedtime, nap time and middle of the night routines that haven’t been working for them thus far. It offers a gentle alternative rather then letting their child ‘cry-it-out’. Our aim is to help your infant or child, (children who have special needs are also welcome to this support program) develop sleep independence and teach them age appropriate and soothing self-regulation skills so that they can establish healthy and lifelong sleep habits. This service is designed to be financially affordable and offers a variety of support packages for individuals as well as families.

[sasitri456]

This is the unsent letter to my friend…

Dear Anna, you probably don't think about me anymore and you don't see me as a friend, just like I tried to forget you and leave everything that once was in the past. But it's hard for me to do that, and that's why I'm writing you this message, but I'm not asking you for anything, I just want to stay true with myself. Maybe this sounds selfish from your perspective, but you're not the only one who got hurt from our friendship, true love is boundless it's not a contract, it's accepting the whole, you couldn't love me whole, but I can't blame you, because I couldn’t love it either and I tried to suppress it all my life. Don't ask others what you are not ready to give yourself!

My battle with myself has been going on for a long time and I am still feeling the effects of it or it may still happening .

I couldn't give Lee the love he expected because I couldn't even love myself. Why I was cold and distant was firstly that I didn't like him and secondly I was afraid that he would break through my battle line, what if he met me and saw that I wasn't perfect and then I had to create a personality that he would hate instead of me, (More precisely defense mechanism) then my

Imperfect part will remain protected. Why I liked John

is because it is safe to love him, he is untouchable ! Because he is older and if it came to that situation of confessing my feelings to him , the reason for his rejection would be age. John was just a mask, yet another front line in the battle I wage between myself. Another reason for me trying to give you a reason not to love me is that I know that we project our inner expectations and view of the world onto others and real world, our behavior is nothing more than a projection.

I am constantly looking for confirmation in the world of what I am afraid of from on the inside, that I am not perfect. Yes, I am looking for attention and love, but I am afraid that only perfection deserves the same. I thought that the best thing I deserve is to be with someone who doesn't like me, I thought that one of the reasons he was with me is because he think he can't find someone better... of course now I understand that these are just fantasies that I projected on to the world, and that maybe I hurt your feelings by protecting myself. I am far from insensitive, and insensitive Ana(me) cannot be hurt. Because she is insensitive, that's why She takes the blame, which I cannot accept. I neglected the needs of my inner child and tormented her all these years. I'm a terrible person because I can't love that child, after all it's just a child who is afraid that he won't get love. And instead of holding his hand and giving him love, I slapped him, he is the biggest victim in my story, he is constantly looking for love and attention because he doesn't get it from me. How can I hate her, I don't know how I have the heart for Such a thing! But I still can't accept her, and I just want to love my imperfect self, to put my inner child in my lap and tell him I love you. I just wish I didn't have to put on my makeup for an hour every day to think I'm beautiful, I wish grades weren't a measure of my intelligence. I would like me to love doing a million of my extracurricular activities out of pure passion and not to prove my worth.

I'm not asking you to understand me, I'm not asking for forgiveness, with this letter I wanted to express my truth, which I've been thinking about for a long time because I wasn't sure at the beginning what it really was. I think it's clear to me now and I had a great need for you to know that too. The only request I have for you is that if you read this, keep it to yourself and don't share it with other friends . I don't even need your answer, I just want to know that my thoughts are there!

[klein-archive]

On interpretation

19th October 2022

Melanie Klein delivered her Lectures on Technique (edited with a critical review by John Steiner in 2017) to Candidates of the British Psychoanalytical Society for the first time in 1936. In these lectures, Klein directly addressed the subject of interpretation, alongside the ‘analytic attitude’, transference and countertransference, phantasy and grievance.

At the time she began the lecture series, there had been quite a sea change in analytic technique, following Klein’s work on early anxiety situations and the defences against them. Psychoanalysts, she thought, were increasingly approaching anxiety more directly, regarding it as necessary to ‘liberate small quantities’ of anxiety in order to prevent a ‘dangerous accumulation’ of it (Klein, in Steiner, p.57). Interpretation, of course, was the analyst’s main means of achieving this.

Klein agreed with Strachey (1934), that an interpretation could be felt by both patient and analyst as a ‘magic weapon’ (Steiner, 2017, p.54). However, her Lectures suggest that she felt more that interpretations were ‘feelers towards the unconscious’, a ‘means of exploring… unconscious phantasy’ (Ibid, p.23), and hypotheses for the patient to consider, rather than ‘a way of providing knowledge or insight from on high’ (Ibid, p.14). Klein’s Lectures, Steiner remarks, ‘come across as entirely modern’ (p.1), and there is no doubt that her inclusion of vivid clinical material, to illustrate the impact of interpretation, makes them especially engaging.

Recently I have been exploring file PP/KLE/D.3 of the archive, which is entitled, ‘Notes on interpretation, notes on defences’. Here, Klein makes a number of other points about interpretation, which are interesting to consider alongside her Lectures on Technique. She addresses, for example, the importance for the analyst of being ‘self-critical enough’ to pace and judge the impact of their interventions, and also underlines the value of remaining silent on occasion, even for long periods - and even when the patient demands it.

In an early part of file D.3, Klein writes,

It seems to me a central problem for psychoanalysts… to decide the right balance between interpretation and allowing the patient’s associations and material free and uninterrupted flow. (PP/KLE/D.3; Image 5/85)

We no doubt develop each an individual technique, though based on certain fundamental principles, according to our personality and [the] particular gifts and deficiencies in us. Some people are quicker in seeing things, and for them the temptation to convey to the patient quickly might be greater. Others, being slower in their perception, and also less inclined to speak, might be inclined to wait too long and fall for this temptation. There is no danger either way if we are self-critical enough to watch our steps and the reasons for our mistakes. (Image 7/85)

On the matter of the analyst, on occasion, restricting his ‘talk and interpretations’, Klein emphasises the need to ‘silently co-operate’ with the patient, and to take into account the patient’s history. With reference to a child patient, she recalls,

I have tried not to interpret at the beginning of an analysis [and] I [shall] give one instance of the kind. [In the case of a] boy who didn’t speak for so long, [I] refrain[ed] from interpreting for some weeks in order to gain the confidence of the child through more or less silent cooperation. This child had a father who had overwhelmed him with speech and constant interference, and the silence of the child was in some way connected with this attitude of the father. This attempt was instructive because, when I did take up interpretations, the difference it made in the progress of this analysis was all the more striking. (Image 9/85)

Klein emphasises, as she had in her earlier Lectures, that,

…we must keep our minds and technique flexible. There are cases, and this child was one of them, in which we might have very much to restrict our talk and interpretations, and miss interpretations rather than stir too much anxiety. (Image 9/85)

Later on, Klein stresses that the patient should always feel he has enough ‘free rope’ to talk. However, even in the case of silent patients, she suggests that plenty of room should be left by the analyst, though it may be tempting to say more:

[...] even silent patients sometimes cannot bear at certain stages of the analysis the analyst’s talking. There is nothing easier than to overdo one or the other attitude. I found that with great care and patience, one can arrive at a compromise in these cases, and that having given the patient free reign for the largest part of the hour or complied with his necessity to remain silent for a time, I could bring in some interpretations at some junctures, or at the end of the hour. (Image 11/85)

Finally, Klein gives the example of another young patient who literally restricts the amount of words Klein can use in an interpretation. Klein shows that her compliance with the patient’s demands enables the analytic work to go on until such time as the patient can tolerate her more usual way of making interpretations:

An extreme case was a boy with strong psychotic and delinquent features and liable to great violence, with whom I could at some stages of the analysis only interpret when he gave me formal permission for it. At hours of great anxiety it happened that the only interpretation could be given when he was already going out of the door from the hall. A few times he restricted me to giving the interpretation in 10 words, and it was not a small feat to put the most important interpretation into these 10 words. But I did not find even in this extreme case that I had to stick to this method. As soon as anxiety had diminished I could interpret more again, and strikingly enough even the 10 word interpretations couched in the most important words only, had repeatedly the effect of diminishing anxiety as well as the fact that I had submitted to this condition, I proceeded to more normal ways of interpretation. (Images 11/ and 13/85)

----------

References:

Steiner, J (2017) Lectures on Technique by Melanie Klein. Routledge.

Strachey, J (1934) ‘The Nature of the Therapeutic Action of Psycho-Analysis’. International Journal of Psychoanalysis. 15:127-159.

[thecreativeshrink]

How To Talk To Your Kids About Suicide Based On Age

How To Talk To Your Kids About Suicide Based On Age

How to speak to your child about suicide: Age-Based Guidance

[drasadonbrown]

“Remind children that their successes and failures are not representations of their worth.” ~ Dr. Asa Don Brown

#Remind #children #that #their #successes #and #failures #are #not #representations #of #their #worth. #asadonbrown #YourDigitalFormula

[johntaylor0706]

Supporting LGBT Individuals Through Therapy: Addressing Unique Mental Health Challenges ?

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBT individuals. These challenges often stem from societal pressures, discrimination, and the struggle for acceptance. For many, the journey towards mental well-being involves seeking professional help through LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin, LGBT Counselling Ireland, and other specialized services. This blog explores the importance of supporting LGBT individuals through therapy and the role that therapists play in addressing these unique mental health challenges.

Understanding the Mental Health Challenges Faced by LGBT Individuals

LGBT individuals often face a myriad of mental health challenges that are specific to their experiences. These challenges can include anxiety, depression, identity struggles, and the impacts of societal stigma and discrimination. The pressure to conform to societal norms, coupled with the fear of rejection from family, friends, and the broader community, can lead to significant emotional distress. These challenges are often compounded by the lack of understanding or acceptance from those around them, making the role of therapy even more critical.

One of the most common mental health issues faced by LGBT individuals is anxiety. This can manifest in various forms, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. The constant fear of being judged or rejected for one’s sexual orientation or gender identity can lead to chronic stress, which, if left unaddressed, can have severe consequences on an individual’s overall well-being.

Depression is another prevalent issue within the LGBT community. The feelings of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness that often accompany the struggle for acceptance can lead to persistent depressive symptoms. In more severe cases, these feelings can result in suicidal ideation, making it imperative for LGBT individuals to have access to supportive and affirming mental health services.

The Role of Therapy in Supporting LGBT Individuals

Therapy plays a crucial role in helping LGBT individuals navigate these challenges. By providing a safe and non-judgmental space, therapists can help individuals explore their identity, understand their emotions, and develop coping strategies to manage the stress and anxiety that often accompany their experiences. LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin is one such service that offers specialized support to LGBT individuals in the Dublin area, focusing on their unique needs and challenges.

LGBT Counselling Ireland is another vital resource, offering support across the country. This type of counselling is designed to address the specific mental health issues faced by LGBT individuals, such as internalized homophobia, coming out, and dealing with discrimination. Counsellors who specialize in LGBT issues are trained to understand the complexities of these experiences and can provide tailored support to help individuals navigate their challenges.

Relationship Counselling Dublin and Couples Counselling Dublin are also essential services for LGBT individuals and couples. Relationships within the LGBT community can face additional stressors, such as societal pressure, family rejection, and internalized negative beliefs. Therapy can help couples work through these issues, strengthen their relationship, and foster a deeper understanding and acceptance of each other’s identities.

Addressing Unique Challenges Through LGBT Marriage Counseling

For many LGBT couples, marriage brings its own set of challenges. While marriage equality has been a significant step forward, LGBT couples often face unique issues that heterosexual couples may not encounter. LGBT Marriage Counseling is specifically designed to address these challenges, helping couples navigate the complexities of married life in a world that may not always be accepting of their relationship.

This type of counseling can help couples work through issues such as family rejection, societal discrimination, and the internalized negative beliefs that can arise from growing up in a heteronormative society. By providing a safe and supportive environment, therapists can help couples strengthen their relationship, improve communication, and build a strong foundation for their marriage.

The Importance of Child Psychology Services for LGBT Youth

LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, often facing bullying, rejection, and discrimination from a young age. Child Psychology Service plays a crucial role in supporting these young individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of their identity and the challenges they may face.

Therapists who specialize in child psychology can provide a safe space for LGBT youth to explore their feelings, develop a strong sense of self, and learn coping strategies to manage the stress and anxiety that often accompany their experiences. By providing early intervention, therapists can help prevent the development of more severe mental health issues later in life and support LGBT youth in building a healthy and positive self-image.

The Role of Community and Family Support in LGBT Mental Health

While therapy is a critical component of supporting LGBT individuals, community and family support also play a significant role in their mental health and well-being. Acceptance from family members, friends, and the broader community can significantly reduce the mental health challenges faced by LGBT individuals.

For many, the process of coming out can be one of the most challenging experiences of their lives. The fear of rejection, judgment, and discrimination can lead to significant emotional distress. However, when individuals are met with acceptance and support, it can have a profound positive impact on their mental health.

Families play a crucial role in this process, and LGBT Counselling Ireland offers services to help families understand and support their LGBT loved ones. Family therapy can be an invaluable resource for families who are struggling to come to terms with their loved one’s identity. By working with a trained therapist, families can learn to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of their loved one’s identity.

In addition to family support, community support is also essential for LGBT individuals. Being part of a supportive and accepting community can provide a sense of belonging and reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many LGBT individuals experience. Community organizations, support groups, and social networks can offer a valuable source of connection and support for LGBT individuals.

The Benefits of Online Therapy for LGBT Individuals

In today’s digital age, online therapy has become an increasingly popular option for those seeking mental health support. For LGBT individuals, Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Online offers a convenient and accessible way to receive the support they need from the comfort of their own home.

Online therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may feel uncomfortable seeking support in person due to the fear of discrimination or judgment. It also offers a level of flexibility that traditional therapy may not, allowing individuals to access support at times that are convenient for them.

Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultant services are available online, providing specialized support for LGBT individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. By working with a trained therapist, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms, develop coping strategies, and work towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

Supporting LGBT individuals through therapy is crucial in addressing the unique mental health challenges they face. Whether it’s through LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin, LGBT Counselling Ireland, or other specialized services, therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their identity, manage their emotions, and develop coping strategies to navigate the challenges they may encounter.

By offering tailored support through services like LGBT Marriage Counseling, Child Psychology Service, and Relationship Counselling Dublin, therapists play a vital role in helping LGBT individuals and couples build strong, healthy, and fulfilling relationships. Additionally, Couples Counselling Dublin is essential for navigating the complexities of relationships within the LGBT community, helping couples strengthen their bond and overcome challenges together.

For those seeking support, services like Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Online and Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultant offer accessible and convenient options for receiving the care they need. By providing early intervention and ongoing support, therapy can help LGBT individuals lead healthier, happier lives, and build a strong foundation for their mental well-being.

For more information on the services available to support LGBT individuals in Ireland, visit City Therapy to explore a range of therapy options tailored to your needs.