Throughout its psychological development, the child may face certain difficulties or blockages in understanding and expressing his inner world, intense emotions that appear unexpectedly and thus influence his behaviour.
Whether we are talking about the existence of emotional, behavioural or adjustment disorders in the outside world, child psychotherapy aims to contain and support the child in a way that allows him/her to get in touch with his/her own unconscious emotions, thus facilitating a deeper self-knowledge through which the child can then act according to his/her own needs.
The therapeutic process is a flexible one that adapts to the needs and personality of each individual child, an important aspect being the creation of a therapeutic relationship in which the child can express him/herself freely, creatively, feeling understood and encouraged to authentically express his/her own emotions and needs.
The therapeutic process can work with expressive techniques, drawing and play to encourage and stimulate the child’s creativity. Sand play therapy can also help to unlock certain emotions and at the same time give us a true picture of the child’s inner space.
When we bring up child-centred psychotherapy we consider the following situations:
• behavioural and relationship disorders
• anxiety, excessive shyness
• eating disorders
• overcoming emotional blocks
• low self-esteem
• difficulties relating to peers, lack of friends
• intense fears and fears
• In the therapeutic process, changes in behaviour (the way the child acts and behaves), in emotion (awareness of contact with one’s own emotions and feelings) and in cognition (the child knows himself and can make decisions according to his needs) will be considered.