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FAQs from Young People
What happens in a session?
Anything you want! I have a large toolkit of things ready and waiting for you, from art materials to games, puppets to picture cards, the sand tray to fidget toys... or just talking! Some young people like to be fully in charge of their session and others need a bit more guidance. I might ask questions or make suggestions along the way, but will always be led by you and what you need. Online therapy looks a bit different and I might ask you to have paper/pens etc. with you, but we still have lots of options.
What if I don't know what to talk about?
That's okay! It can be really hard to know what to bring at first. I can help by suggesting topics, activities or games to get you started, and you never have to feel any pressure to talk about anything. My job is to take you as you are, and encourage you in a direction that helps you feel better.
Why am I coming to therapy?
If you're not sure, try talking to your parent or guardian about why they think you need support. It's really important that you understand and agree with the reasons for coming to therapy. Otherwise, our work together might not be as effective.
What if I don't want to come anymore?
Then I will let you leave. Your consent is the most important thing and I won't make you keep coming if you don't want to. Similarly, if you want to end a session early then I will always let you go.
Will you tell my parent, guardian or teacher about my sessions?
All therapy is confidential, so I'm not going to tell anyone else what happens. However, I will have to tell them if I'm worried for your safety or for the safety of someone else. I will always try and discuss this with you first before it happens. Other than that, no one else has to know what we talk about.
Can I bring my parent or guardian into my session?
Some young people want someone in the first session with them, to help them settle in and feel comfortable. I'm happy for you to bring someone in with you if you're feeling nervous or worried. However, once we've gotten to know each other and you feel more comfortable, I'd encourage you to come by yourself. Therapy is a place just for you.
How many sessions can I have?
As many as you want or need. Some people start feeling better after 6-12 sessions and don't feel like they need to come anymore. Others might need more time, or just prefer to have the space open for them to explore anything they want or need to. There is no limit to how many sessions we can have.
FAQs from Parents/Guardians
Can I get feedback after my child's sessions?
What happens in a therapy session is confidential between me and your child. I won't share specific details of what they've said or done, unless I'm worried for their safety or the safety of someone else. However, if your child wants to tell you about their sessions, they are more than welcome to.
Once every 8 weeks will arrange a 20-minute catch up call with you to think about how your child is doing. In these catch-ups I'll share overall themes and summaries of things I'm noticing, all with the permission of your child.
My child doesn't want therapy but I think they need it. What do I do?
This is a tricky situation that can feel really hard to navigate. I appreciate that you want what's best for your child and you feel they will benefit from therapy in the long-run. However, therapy only works when the child/young person wants to be there. So, if your child doesn't want to come, I will always respect this and recommend they come back at a better time.
What if my child doesn't talk about what's bothering them?
It can feel discouraging when a child doesn't immediately start talking about the issues you know are there. However, this doesn't mean they aren't benefitting in other ways, or using play/art/games to express themselves indirectly. A child's brain is still developing, so it isn't always possible for them to talk about things as quickly or easily as adults do. I always encourage parents to trust the process and trust that the child is doing their 'work' in their way.
How long until things improve?
This depends on many factors. Change doesn't happen straight away, and change may look different to what you might expect. Therapy is a process rather than a quick-fix, and it all rests on the quality of the relationship between me and your child. A good relationship takes time to grow. Imagine the process as a marathon rather than a sprint; full of ups and downs, faster parts, slower parts, parts that feel easy and parts where you feel like you're going backwards. This is all normal.
What if nothing changes?
All therapy will make a change, somewhere. Even if on the outside you feel like nothing has changed, I'd encourage you to look for subtler signs of change. Change might not be noticeable right away or explicitly, but it will be there, even if it's just the impact of having another experience of a trusting adult relationship. This can work wonders on a deep level, even if you can't see it.
How do I get in touch?
You can click the button below to fill in my contact form, email me directly at josie@dramascapecreativetherapy.com, or leave me a voicemail on 07580440381. I'll be back in touch as soon as I can to organise a free 15-minute chat about how I can help.
@dramascapecreativetherapy
2024 DramaScape Creative Therapy and Wellbeing
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