I work with an increasing number of children and am always amazed at their openness and honesty. It is a pleasure to work with children and see how willingly they engage in the process and use their wonderful imaginations.
A recurring theme seems to be anxiety, stress and fear, which manifests as early as 6 years old. I commend parents wholeheartedly for recognising their child's distress and deciding to seek some help for them.
If not helped at this age the issue can remain and cause problems throughout their lives.
A significant emotional event in the child's life can remain as a memory and the brain then constantly looks for pattern matches.
If it finds something familiar it alerts the child that this may be dangerous and creates symptoms of anxiety, such as a fast beating heart, shaking, tension and sends adrenalin running round the body .
The brain believes it is protecting the child , by constantly looking out for familiar events.
Some examples of emotional events are being chased by a dog, being violently sick, witnessing an accident, a death of a pet, being taken to hospital, parents arguing and many many more. The child cannot always remember the trigger but this does not matter.
During therapy sessions I use a variety of interventions to reframe the trauma and help the brain to realise it no longer needs to protect the child . The process can work amazingly quickly leaving the child anxiety free. What a wonderful thing to do for a child, to prevent the fear disabling them for the rest of their lives.
If your child is suffering from anxiety or fear, give me a call or email me to discuss whether I can help.
07859922044
nikkiparsons54@gmail.com
