Children and Adolescents

It is not uncommon for children to experience anxiety and depression and sadly, this is becoming more common, despite our increase in knowledge about these emotional difficulties. In fact, 75% of all severe mental illness begins prior to the age of 25 years. Further, just over a quarter (26%) of people surveyed in 2007 in Australia aged 16–26 had a mental health disorder.

Some children experience or witness trauma and this trauma may or may not be recognised as significant by adults or by professionals around them. In other words, sometimes children experience something that frightens them so much that it can affect them much more than we realise. Symptoms such as poor sleep, nightmares, fear around certain situations, or gradual personality change can occur until help is provided or the child is able to transform the effects of their experience in some other way.

The good news is that because children and adolescents do not usually have as many layers of challenging events to work through as adults, change can often occur surprisingly quickly with the right assistance. Good practical strategies are available that focus on how to manage thoughts, body sensations and emotions and guided relaxation can also help to reduce anxiety and assist with sleep difficulties. Therapies like EMDR can shift the impact of negative memories so that past events no longer cause emotional disturbance. This can produce long-lasting and powerful change.

Nicole provides therapy for children over 13 years of age. While she no longer treats children 13 and under, other colleagues at Collective Health Co at Forest Glen are able to support younger children with EMDR therapy and other evidence-based therapies that are effective for the above issues.