Sasha Singh Thompson, a local teacher, therapeutic counsellor and parent, explains how she can help your child feel calmer, stronger and happier.
Hi, I’m Sasha Singh Thompson and I’m a local therapeutic counsellor. I have worked as a teacher for the past 13 years, and now, as Pastoral Lead in a local school, understand how hard it can be for children and young people navigating the challenges of growing up.
I offer therapeutic counselling sessions for children aged 5-18 who may be experiencing struggles with their emotional well-being.
I know how long the waitlists for support can be, which is why I am so passionate about providing timely support when it is needed and before a crisis point. I work alongside families, involving parents in pre and post-therapeutic sessions. I offer a warm, empathetic and non-judgmental approach, removing the pressure to ‘sit-and-talk-about-feelings’. Adopting a creative model to therapeutic sessions, I engage children and young people in art, games, storytelling, crafts, small world and sand tray play, and whatever other interests and hobbies they have. Children love these sessions and always look forward to coming again! Counselling in this way has helped so many of my children and families experience better emotional well-being, reporting improved communication, a more settled home life, greater emotional regulation and improved self-talk and esteem.
What might a counselling session look like for my 9-year-old?We begin with a welcome into the session with parents/carers. We have a gentle, informal and collaborative chat about the week – any highs, lows or moments of significance for both the adults and the child.
Adults take a seat in the waiting area and the child and I might play a game, do some creative work or continue on a project we’ve started. This is child-led. Through this, we engage in chat and exploration. I will be gently curious and help a child discuss what they may be feeling, as well as offering tools or practising coping strategies where appropriate. A lot of story-telling will probably happen with playful but key questions from me. I will bring our discussions into the present context of the child’s world. I facilitate the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, using age-appropriate language and graphics.
We might engage in a different activity that links to our discussion such as feelings recognition, small world play or sand tray therapy. We will chat about the coming week and I will do a little bit of grounding work with the child before closing.
Parents and carers are invited back in. Anything significant is discussed with the agreement and participation of the child. Otherwise, we have an optimistic chat about our hopes for the week and say an enthusiastic ‘See you later, alligator!’
If this sounds like something your child or teen would benefit from, get in touch for a free, 30-minute video chat to discuss your concerns.
Each session will differ for each child, and structures and activities are designed with the age and development stage of the child in mind. Each counselling course is wholly bespoke – we can chat through this in your free 30-minute video chat.
Reach out using my website: www.sashasinghthompsoncounselling.co.uk or email me at sashasinghthompson@gmail.com.
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