A range of educational psychologists offer therapeutic support to children and young people within the school setting. The approaches taken will respond to the type of need that is presented, but may draw on cognitive behavioural techniques, mindfulness or narrative therapy approaches for example. Sessions can be offered through small group work or on a one to one basis with children and young people. Speak to your school educational psychologist for further information.
Therapeutic group work for children and young people
Read this example of a therapeutic support group delivered in a Devon Primary School
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the moment-by-moment awareness of our experience that involves accepting – with curiosity and kindness – anything that arises (thoughts, emotions, external stimuli, etc.) Thousands of research studies have shown that cultivating mindfulness is associated with a variety of positive outcomes for both pupils and staff. Specific benefits include: reduced stress and anxiety, greater emotional regulation, improved sleep, enhanced concentration and attention and greater self-esteem. We can provide training packages for staff on mindfulness and mindfulness interventions for groups of young people.
The Overcoming Programme
The Overcoming Programme is a guided cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for parents of anxious children. It involves eight sessions for parents, four of which are conducted face to face and four of which are delivered by telephone. Parents are required to read relevant chapters from the accompanying book titled, ‘Overcoming Your Child’s Fears and Worries’ (Cathy Creswell & Lucy Willetts, 2007). The aim of the programme is for parents to become anxiety management experts who can continue to use the strategies that they have learned to help their child after the sessions have finished. It also means that children do not have to miss school or other activities to attend sessions.
A number of NHS CAMHS services now use the Overcoming Programme as their first line treatment for childhood anxiety disorders. Recent research trials suggest that the Overcoming Programme is at least as effective, if not more effective, than many comprehensive CBT interventions delivered one to one with a child. Through agreement with the child or young person’s school, our educational psychologists are able to deliver these sessions to parents.
Story-Stems play-based assessment
Infants are dependent on adults for their survival. Children’s early experience of adults shapes their beliefs about themselves and the social world. These beliefs form the basis for a range of behaviours which help them to get their needs met. Most children learn to trust adults enough to develop positive friendships and to engage in learning. Some children may have developed behaviours that present significant levels of challenge in school. Other children may show a lack of trust in adults.
Story Stems use small world play figures to present a series of play scenarios to the child. The child is invited to ‘show and tell’ what might happen next in the story. This approach can be used over a series of sessions or as part of a wider assessment of a child’s needs. The information gained can give valuable insights into how best to support the child at home and in school.
Story Stems are a way of exploring the beliefs children have about themselves and their social world. This understanding can help adults around the child to:
- Understand the reasons behind their behaviour
- Identify the unmet needs of the child
- Improve their skills for working with the child
- Develop alternative beliefs about the world
- Help the child to trust adults
- Facilitate meaningful discussions with parents and carers
- Appreciate the child’s point of view
Video feedback
Support for families can have a considerable impact on school achievement and attainment. Video feedback is one proven method of support. Families involved with video feedback report:
- increased feelings of confidence and skill
- increased positive behaviour from their child
- increased awareness of factors that promote positive relationships
- increased understanding of their child
- greater ability to identify what works and do more of it!
The EP service can offer video feedback to schools for targeted families. The EP works with the parents/carers recording interactions between them and their children. The footage is psychologically analysed and specific footage, guided by psychological models relating to attunement and communication, are focused upon during feedback. The video feedback is aimed at encouraging parents to identify their thoughts and feelings about what they’ve seen, to think about what their child is feeling and help parents think about how they can build on the positives and set goals for the future.