Working with children involves working with parents too. Children will be helped to explore their feeling using a medium that suits them; drawing, painting, drama, role play, storytelling, playing with figures or talking.
Sometimes it may require working with parents on skills to help a child develop. A child’s greatest influence when they are developing is their parents and siblings. These are the role models for all future development. How we listen and respond to their needs gives them idea on what a man and woman is and how they should behave and indeed treat people in the future.
There are no such thing as perfect parents, my philosophy is we aim for doing our best and being ‘good enough’. We often expect children to change but they are unlikely to change unless we as parents show them how to change, leading by example.
Why children and parents come to counselling?
- Anger/tantrums
- Feelings of distress
- Not feeling good enough
- Sudden changes
- Family break up
- Sibling difficulties
- Life threatening behaviour
- Abuse/Violence
- Grief
- Self Esteem/Depression
Cost
Under certain circumstances some health insurers cover counselling. Counselling does not go on forever but how long the sessions continue is completely determined by each person. Each person is unique and must be treated this way, it is why counselling works, and it is not a quick fix. It involves finding your unique path to a better way of living. My fee is €70 per session.
My clients come from all over the region including Dungarvan, Waterford City, Kilmeaden, Tipperary, Clonmel, Youghal, Lismore, Cappoquin, Tallow, New Ross, Mallow and Fermoy. If you are experiencing difficulties in these areas and you would like to talk about them in a safe and non judgemental way please contact Michael Fitzgerald at the Dungarvan Counselling Centre.
