Children and Parent Counselling

Every problem in the family affects all members of that family to a different extent and in different ways. Thanks to this service, we will find effective and fast solutions to the problems that decrease the peace in the family and enhance your wellbeing in various ways. The first attempt in children and parent meetings aims to understand the source of the problem by talking with parents, children, and school administration. In line with the information gained and problems are identified, a thorough therapeutic process starts.

For more information about Children and Parental Counselling, please read the following:

Children Therapy

Many children experience problems that affect their feelings and behaviors. Accordingly, their social, educational, and daily life are affected to a certain extent. However, sometimes these problems reach a level where it becomes very difficult to manage. This can happen for various reasons. For whatever reason it is, therapy is an effective treatment option, which can be applied alone or in combination with psychopharmacological treatment for solving such problems.

The first attempt in children's therapy is to understand the source of the problem. This occurs by conducting sessions with parents, children, and school visits, if relevant.

Why do children need therapy?

Similar to adults, children need therapy when they find it difficult to cope with their experiences. In addition to this, children may need guidance especially when their problems affect their academic performance, social life, and their quality of life. Thus, to be able to understand the primary source/s and roots of the problem, it is important to explore and understand a child’s challenging experiences and therapy is a safe and secure place for self-understanding and exploration.

How does therapy work?

The age of the child is a great determinant of the content of therapy. Drawing, therapeutic play, and talks are an important therapeutic tool for younger children. For older children and teens, the therapist actively listens to children for assisting self-exploration. Moreover, social skill training and psychoeducation is also an important element when working with older children.

In therapy, children understand their problems and explore alternative ways to solve these problems or enhance their existing problem-solving strategies. Therapy also helps them find/establish better communication strategies with family/friends

How does therapy help?

Children become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, name their struggles, and also discover their strengths. Therapy is an important step for them to become aware of their emotions, thoughts, and actions and consider alternative and more effective emotion regulation strategies for handling challenging problems.

What happens in therapy?

Firstly parents are invited for a counseling session so that therapists can learn about a child’s emotional, academic, health, and psychosocial history in a detailed way. This is an essential step for the therapist to understand and get to know the child who cannot express him/herself as an adult would. The joint work with parents and therapists would also increase the effectiveness and success of the treatment process. That is why parental counseling plays a fundamental role in this process.

Followed by this, based on the information provided, the therapist may meet with the child or conduct a school visit to pursue more information. Then the therapist determines an individualized therapy route to help you and your child.

How long does Child Therapy last?

The duration of the therapy depends on the goals of you as parents. Often, a therapist will want to meet your child once a week for several months. However, it is important to indicate that therapy works best when the child and therapist build a warm and trusting relationship. And this may take a couple of meetings.

Can parents help in this process?

As parents, you can fasten the process by doing things that will help your child get the most out of therapy. Some of those are to:

Be involved in the process
Find a therapist where you and your child will feel comfortable.
Consistently bring your child to all appointments.
Be patient; Change takes time
Spend time with your child.
Review your parenting style: A patient, determined and warm parenting will guide and support your child during this difficult period.

Parental Counselling:

Every problem in the family affects all members of that family to a different extent and in different ways. Remember, children grow up in a system that is made of parents, family members, friends, teachers, and school. When helping a child to manage their problems, it is almost impossible to separate children from the system they exist. Therefore, a collaborative work with parents can help children to quickly and successfully resolve his/her challenges.

Moreover, sometimes the problems and difficulties that children experience are triggered by changes in the family settings (such as moving into another country due to parents’ work/divorce). Therefore, these difficulties that children experience not only cause struggles for themselves but also increase parents' challenges and put them even in a more difficult position in life.

Thanks to this service, we will find effective and fast solutions to you and your child’s problems. Accordingly, this will increase the peace in the family and enhance your and your child’s wellbeing in various ways.

Services provided where parenting counseling is proven to be effective:

Polishing / Finding / Improving effective parenting strategies

To investigate and evaluate the effects of your existing parenting attitudes and how they affect your relationship with your children
To consider new parenting styles and adapt them into your life as parents
To update existing parenting strategies, if necessary, for bringing harmony and peace in your home.

Information and psychoeducation about your child's problem

To talk more about your child’s emotional, developmental and cognitive difficulties
To receive information about your child’s emotional, developmental and cognitive difficulties and finding the right resources for solutions such as referrals to psychiatrists, special education teachers, extracurricular activity places, etc.
To understand and strengthen parents' coping strategies in existing crises or chronic problems, if relevant.

Parental Coaching

To develop family communication skills
To get tips for raising healthier child and adolescent
To receive guidance in the process of divorce
To evaluate and re-consider the problems that may arise due to the life-changing dynamics such as the second marriage, the arrival of a new child/brother/sister.