Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy
Service In Development
Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy is something I am working on. I have recognised that there is a lot of similarities between the core values of Child-Centred Play Therapy and Mindfulness. Lots of children have emotional needs that would benefit from the way in which Play Therapists work and communicate yet do not need higher level psychotherapy treatment. Typically such children are offered more adult led, directly educationally based emotional support, which does not always lead to significant change. In the future, I hope to be able to offer a lower level therapeutic intervention to children (both individuals and small groups) who do not reach the threshold for long-term Play Therapy but who would definitely benefit from some shorter-term creative therapeutic input from a professional who can employ both Play Therapy and Mindfulness Techniques.
The Similarities
Both Child-Centred Play Therapy and Mindfulness would focus on being present with a child and supporting them to:
Be more accepting and compassionate towards themselves, their emotions and experiences
Be more focused on their minds, bodies and emotions in the present moment, thereby improving responsiveness to key messages
Learn the names and sensations belonging to different emotions and link emotions to relevant experiences.
Be accepting of all their emotions, whether they are viewed positively or negatively by the child and society
To observe and understand the interactions between their minds, bodies and emotions.
Gain a sense of mastery over unwanted and intrusive thoughts, feelings, distractions and impulses.
Be more present, attentive and aware in their everyday lives
Improve their sense of self-acceptance, self-worth, identity and emotional resilience
Develop greater emotional and behaviour management techniques
Develop empathy and greater relational connection with others.
Be more able to focus on the positive things in their lives.
Break unhelpful negative cycles of behaviour and interactions.
Strengthen existing, and develop new, positive neural connections in the brain for improved mental health and behaviour.
Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy Sessions
Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy sessions would be appropriate for primary school aged children (4-11 years). Due to the lower level of need, this intervention would be a much shorter piece of work than Play Therapy - approximately one full term (12 weeks). Also unlike Play Therapy, Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy can be offered for small groups, including sibling groups.
The aim of this intervention is to teach children some key skills associated with (but not belonging exclusively to) Mindfulness, including increasing their emotional literacy and enhancing their resilience and regulation strategies. It will incorporate Child-Centred Play Therapy communication and play skills, rather than traditional adult directed teaching models that can rely heavily on close supervision and instruction throughout activities, questions and suggestions. It will also ensure that children have opportunities to access and develop their range of E.P.R developmental play through the specifically targeted activities. Child-Centred Mindfulness Therapy will incorporate key Play Therapy session structures, including Limit Setting.
As well as this intervention being informed by my Play Therapy and Mindfulness training, it will also be informed by my training and experience in relation to sensory processing issues. Focusing on sensory processing will enhance children's opportunities to more fully understand and regulate their own body experiences than traditional Mindfulness work alone. My training and work experience relating to supporting children with Autism and Learning Disabilities will also be helpful as these children often need extensive support in developing their emotional literacy and regulation skills, meaning I have a wealth of tried and tested methods to inform the development of the new form of support to children.