Lizzie Buckwell Counselling
Counselling in Alton, Hampshire
Specialisms
Counselling for Children and Young People
Working with children and young people is an area where I have gained specialist qualifications, experience and knowledge. I believe in early intervention and supporting positive mental health and well-being in this population. By encouraging resilience, helping to develop coping strategies and building confidence, I am committed to providing an empowering space so that children and young people can work towards making positive changes in their life. Counselling provides a safe, confidential, trusting environment for children and young people to explore their feelings, concerns and worries, as it may be difficult for them to talk about those things with friends, family members or teachers. I often use creative and play therapy techniques to facilitate their need to express the issues that concern them.
Creative and play therapy techniques can be helpful when it is difficult to put thoughts and emotions into words and helps to enrich the therapeutic experience. Together we can work on navigating the challenges of growing up in an ever-changing world.
Read about 'How I Provide Counselling for Children and Young People'
How I Provide Counselling for Children and Young People
"You are BRAVER than you believe STRONGER than you seem and Smarter than you think you are."
Winnie the Pooh
Every child/young person is unique and brings with them their own experiences, likes and dislikes. Initially, I focus on developing a secure, trustworthy therapeutic relationship with each child/young person and use creative and engaging approaches to get to know them better.
Everything the child/young person talks about in our sessions will be kept confidential. A secure environment where a child/young person feels at ease to talk about any matter affecting their lives should be founded on the principle of confidentiality. However, I may need to break confidentiality if I have concerns regarding someone's safety. If this were to occur, I would initially attempt to have a conversation about the concerns with the child/young person first, if this is possible.
While the counselling sessions are primarily centred on the needs of the child/young person, I acknowledge the significant role that parents/guardians have in their lives. Parents/guardians can be involved and participate in certain aspects of the process, provided there is consent given by the child/young person beforehand. Prior to sharing information about the sessions with parents/guardians, the child/young person will be consulted and their consent gained in the first instance. This is to uphold the respect and trust in the therapeutic relationship established between myself and the child/young person.
We may have review sessions from time to time if the child/young person would find this beneficial. If they are in agreement, these sessions can include parents/guardians. These review sessions can assist with supporting the child/young person's progress. However, they always take place with the child/young person’s consent.
For the initial session, parents/guardians are welcome to be present in the room for the first 10 minutes. We will begin by going through the counselling agreement, which will be emailed to parents/guardians before the initial meeting. The initial meeting provides an opportunity to ask questions and clarify anything about the counselling agreement so all parties involved understand what to expect from the sessions and how we will work together.
In my counselling sessions with children/young people, I may use creative strategies such as drawing, games, therapeutic cards, storytelling, toys, and SandStory Therapy®. This provides an opportunity for children/young people to express themselves more freely in the counselling sessions, if they want or need this. It can also increase engagement and self-exploration, enabling thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to put into words. However, these creative ways of working are always their choice.
By creating a warm, empathetic, empowering environment where children/young people can make sense of their thoughts, emotions and feelings, they can then acquire coping strategies which in turn will lead towards making positive changes in their lives.
Please note that up to the age of 16 years, I will be required to carry out an assessment with the parent/carer to gain consent and to discuss my duty of care in relation to safeguarding and confidentiality.
For young people aged 16/17 years, they will be able to give consent for their own counselling.
Bereavement Counselling
“We run from grief because loss scares us, yet our hearts reach towards grief because the broken parts want to mend”
Brene Brown from Rising Strong
I have specialist training in bereavement and loss to help adults, children and young people.
Bereavement is the time we need to take adapting to loss. There is no right or wrong way to feel or grieve – everyone tries to process this in their own way. Grief can show itself in unexpected ways, with some people feeling angry, numb, or wanting to be quiet and possibly withdraw from social activities. In some circumstances, grief can instigate mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. What we feel and how we grieve can depend on what sort of relationship we had with the deceased and sometimes the relationship was not always a good one.
On the other hand, bereavement is sometimes about remembering the person who has died while trying to rebuild and adapt to your life without them.
Talking about the loss often facilitates the adjustment to your new life with all its changes – good and bad. Suppressing feelings, whatever they may be, or denying the sadness could prolong the distress. To move forward, all loss needs to be acknowledged.
Bereavement counselling can help with progressing through the stages of grief and learning how to cope with the death of a loved one. It aims to get you to the point where you can get back to some sense of normality – however long it takes. You will probably never stop completely grieving for the person you have lost, but with enough time and the right support, a new life can be pieced together, and purpose can be reclaimed.
Specifically, counselling for grief and bereavement can:
- offer an understanding of the mourning process
- explore areas that could potentially prevent you from moving on
- help resolve areas of conflict still remaining
- help you to adjust to a new sense of self
- address possible issues of depression or suicidal thoughts
Walk and Talk Therapy
I am trained in walk and talk therapy. Walking side by side can be more beneficial for anyone that finds eye contact or being in the confines of a room for the session uncomfortable.
It can help clients who find indoor therapy confining, challenging or uninspiring. Some clients are more comfortable walking whilst talking and may find it easier discussing their problems whilst strolling along a country path.
Walk and talk sessions can be tailored to your personal preferences and needs.
As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.
Rumi
SandStory Therapy®
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.
Maya Angelou
I am pleased to be able to offer SandStory Therapy® to clients. This form of therapy has deep roots in the narrative tradition of storytelling, sandplay and sandtray therapy. It is a creative therapy in which clients represent their personal world in symbolic form by working with miniature objects or symbols in a sand-filled tray. Working in this way can powerfully enhance a client’s awareness and promote expression. It can provide exploration and resolution of a variety of issues, thus enhancing personal empowerment and growth.
SandStory Therapy® is suitable for children from 8 years upwards, teenagers, young adults and adults to senior adults. If you are interested in working in this way, please let me know. For further information about SandStory Therapy®, please visit https://www.sandstory.org/
