in Health
FAQs - Counselling & Therapy
In this section of the website you will find frequently asked questions about particular issues or situations that affect children and young people and their parents. It is hoped that the answers to these questions will offer people useful information and advice, including links to other websites where appropriate.
- Can I get help and support with bereavement?
- Do children and young people get depressed?
- How can play therapy help my child?
- How can we get help for children and young people who are depressed?
- My child has a learning disability and is being bullied, where can I get advice on how to deal with this?
- My dad died recently and we all miss him and talk about that - but sometimes I also feel angry with him for leaving us. Is it OK to feel like that?
- What is bereavement?
- What is counselling?
- What is Play therapy?
- What is Postnatal Depression?
- Where do I go to find a counsellor for my child?
What is bereavement?
The word bereavement describes the loss of someone close to you and grief describes how people feel when someone close to them dies. The death of someone or an animal a child cares about is likely to be deeply distressing for the child. The death may be the result of an illness (for example cancer), an accident or old age. The death of a loved animal or pet can be as significant as losing a relative or friend.
The word bereavement describes the loss of someone close to you and grief describes how people feel when someone close to them dies. The death of someone or an animal a child cares about is likely to be deeply distressing for the child. The death may be the result of an illness (for example cancer), an accident or old age. The death of a loved animal or pet can be as significant as losing a relative or friend.
My dad died recently and we all miss him and talk about that - but sometimes I also feel angry with him for leaving us. Is it OK to feel like that?
There are, however, certain reactions that are common to children as well as adults.
Denial - some people find it difficult to accept that the person has died. This can take a number of forms, including constantly talking about him or her as if they were still alive.
Guilt - Some people feel guilty, perhaps for still being alive or for feeling in some way responsible for the death.
Anger - Some people feel angry towards the dead person for dying; with others who were close to that person, such as a surviving parent; or at others who have not suffered a loss.
Fear - Some people may have a fear of death, either their own or someone else close to them. This fear can often lead to strong attachments being formed to a close friend or surviving parent. It can also lead to practical fears such as who is going to look after them.
Physical complaints - These include loss or increase in appetite, nightmares, feeling tired, stomach aches or headaches.
There are, however, certain reactions that are common to children as well as adults.
Denial - some people find it difficult to accept that the person has died. This can take a number of forms, including constantly talking about him or her as if they were still alive.
Guilt - Some people feel guilty, perhaps for still being alive or for feeling in some way responsible for the death.
Anger - Some people feel angry towards the dead person for dying; with others who were close to that person, such as a surviving parent; or at others who have not suffered a loss.
Fear - Some people may have a fear of death, either their own or someone else close to them. This fear can often lead to strong attachments being formed to a close friend or surviving parent. It can also lead to practical fears such as who is going to look after them.
Physical complaints - These include loss or increase in appetite, nightmares, feeling tired, stomach aches or headaches.
Can I get help and support with bereavement?
There are lots of services and support groups that can help you with this issue listed on this website. There are also websites you can visit to give you further information about bereavement and how to get support.
RD4U is a website designed for young people by young people it is part of the CRUSE Bereavement Cares Youth Involvement Project and is here to support people after the death of someone close.
For further information: www.rd4u.org.uk
There are lots of services and support groups that can help you with this issue listed on this website. There are also websites you can visit to give you further information about bereavement and how to get support.
RD4U is a website designed for young people by young people it is part of the CRUSE Bereavement Cares Youth Involvement Project and is here to support people after the death of someone close.
For further information: www.rd4u.org.uk
What is counselling?
Counselling is a way of helping different people with different personal problems. Counsellors work with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, bereavement, loneliness, self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, self-injury and eating problems.
It is based on the building of a trusting relationship between the counsellor and their client and it can enable people to talk about experiences and to make sense of them. Counselling can also allow people to express difficult feelings and learn how to manage them in a difficult way. Counsellors are trained to listen thoughtfully and carefully to people’s problems without judging or criticising them. They do not give advice but support the clients to make positive decisions.
Counselling is a way of helping different people with different personal problems. Counsellors work with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, bereavement, loneliness, self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, self-injury and eating problems.
It is based on the building of a trusting relationship between the counsellor and their client and it can enable people to talk about experiences and to make sense of them. Counselling can also allow people to express difficult feelings and learn how to manage them in a difficult way. Counsellors are trained to listen thoughtfully and carefully to people’s problems without judging or criticising them. They do not give advice but support the clients to make positive decisions.
Where do I go to find a counsellor for my child?
Your GP or your child’s school will be able to give you information about where to find a counsellor. Some schools have their own counsellor. Also the directory will be able to find you a service that may be able to help you.
Your GP or your child’s school will be able to give you information about where to find a counsellor. Some schools have their own counsellor. Also the directory will be able to find you a service that may be able to help you.
What is Play therapy?
Play Therapy helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they haven't had the chance to sort out properly. Rather than having to explain what is troubling them, as adult therapy usually expects, children use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling interrogated or threatened.
Play Therapy helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they haven't had the chance to sort out properly. Rather than having to explain what is troubling them, as adult therapy usually expects, children use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling interrogated or threatened.
How can play therapy help my child?
Play is vital to a child's development in every way. It helps make learning concrete for all children and young people including those for whom verbal communication may be difficult.
Play Therapy helps children in a variety of ways. Children receive emotional support and can learn to understand more about their own feelings and thoughts. Sometimes they may re-enact or play out traumatic or difficult life experiences in order to make sense of their past and cope better with their future. Children may also learn to manage relationships and conflicts in more appropriate ways.
The outcomes of Play Therapy may be general e.g. a reduction in anxiety and raised self-esteem, or more specific such as a change in behaviour and improved relations with family and friends.
For further information on Play therapy - www.bapt.info/
Play is vital to a child's development in every way. It helps make learning concrete for all children and young people including those for whom verbal communication may be difficult.
Play Therapy helps children in a variety of ways. Children receive emotional support and can learn to understand more about their own feelings and thoughts. Sometimes they may re-enact or play out traumatic or difficult life experiences in order to make sense of their past and cope better with their future. Children may also learn to manage relationships and conflicts in more appropriate ways.
The outcomes of Play Therapy may be general e.g. a reduction in anxiety and raised self-esteem, or more specific such as a change in behaviour and improved relations with family and friends.
For further information on Play therapy - www.bapt.info/
Do children and young people get depressed?
If anything, more so than adults. They are more dependent or vulnerable, less well defended and more sensitive to what is happening to them and around them. They care deeply, for example, about:
Your GP
YoungMinds Parents' Information Service 0800 018 2138
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647
www.parentlineplus.org.uk or telephone 0808 800 2222
or you can contact Parents Advice Service - a local drop--in service for parents who may have concerns about their teenager's emotional well-being. Contact 01642 286644.
If anything, more so than adults. They are more dependent or vulnerable, less well defended and more sensitive to what is happening to them and around them. They care deeply, for example, about:
- losing their parents - whether because of divorce or separation, or through death
- not being loved or listened to, feeling left out
- losing their pets or favourite toys or possessions
- changing school, moving home, losing friends
Your GP
YoungMinds Parents' Information Service 0800 018 2138
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647
www.parentlineplus.org.uk or telephone 0808 800 2222
or you can contact Parents Advice Service - a local drop--in service for parents who may have concerns about their teenager's emotional well-being. Contact 01642 286644.
How can we get help for children and young people who are depressed?
If you think your teenager is depressed, talk to them and find out if there is any way you can help. Be patient and understanding - what may seem like small problems to you can be too much for a young person. Talk to your GP and discuss treatment (such as counselling) may be helpful. You could speak to your teenagers school to see if they have noticed any differences in your son or daughter.
A supportive and understanding family means your teenager may feel more able to talk to you about any problems, rather than bottling them up. Chat about their interests, hobbies, friends and schoolwork so they feel you understand and are interested in different parts of their lives.
For more information please refer to the Safe Parenting Handbook by visiting www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/childprotection
You can also get advice and information by contacting:-
YoungMinds Parents' Information Service 0800 018 2138 or visit www.youngminds.org.uk
Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222 www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Your GP
NHS Direct 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Parents Advice Service - a local drop-in service for parents who may have concerns about their teenager's emotional well-being. Contact 01642 286644 for more details (Redcar and Cleveland)
If you think your teenager is depressed, talk to them and find out if there is any way you can help. Be patient and understanding - what may seem like small problems to you can be too much for a young person. Talk to your GP and discuss treatment (such as counselling) may be helpful. You could speak to your teenagers school to see if they have noticed any differences in your son or daughter.
A supportive and understanding family means your teenager may feel more able to talk to you about any problems, rather than bottling them up. Chat about their interests, hobbies, friends and schoolwork so they feel you understand and are interested in different parts of their lives.
For more information please refer to the Safe Parenting Handbook by visiting www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/childprotection
You can also get advice and information by contacting:-
YoungMinds Parents' Information Service 0800 018 2138 or visit www.youngminds.org.uk
Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222 www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Your GP
NHS Direct 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Parents Advice Service - a local drop-in service for parents who may have concerns about their teenager's emotional well-being. Contact 01642 286644 for more details (Redcar and Cleveland)
What is Postnatal Depression?
The birth of a baby is an emotional experience and, for many new mothers, feeling tearful and depressed is also common.
However, sometimes longer periods of depression known as postnatal depression can occur during the first few weeks and months of the baby's life.
For more information visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
For support visit www.apni.org (Association for Post-Natal Illness)
For helpline call Mama Postnatal Depression helpline on 08451 203746 Mon - Fri 7.00pm - 10.00pm
The birth of a baby is an emotional experience and, for many new mothers, feeling tearful and depressed is also common.
However, sometimes longer periods of depression known as postnatal depression can occur during the first few weeks and months of the baby's life.
For more information visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
For support visit www.apni.org (Association for Post-Natal Illness)
For helpline call Mama Postnatal Depression helpline on 08451 203746 Mon - Fri 7.00pm - 10.00pm
My child has a learning disability and is being bullied, where can I get advice on how to deal with this?
This factsheet explains what bullying is and why it takes place. It looks at some ways you can try to prevent bullying from happening or to stop it when it is happening.
![Bullying and children with a learning disability[1].pdf](/family.nsf/51874d91a9937e538025735a00355fc7/0c694bf5c208bfbe80257560005417d4/FAQ_answer/0.5BA?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
This factsheet explains what bullying is and why it takes place. It looks at some ways you can try to prevent bullying from happening or to stop it when it is happening.