Out of trust came Charlotte’s healing
Counselling can change a child’s mental health and the course and quality of their future life.
Your support enables children like Charlotte* to find the peace they so desperately seek, as one of our Children’s Counsellors explains.
Charlotte first came to me when she was thirteen. She was alternating self-harming, cutting herself quite deeply, with not eating. She had lost two stones in weight.
She was bullied at school and often refused to go in. She was so unhappy that she spoke of wanting to end her own life; this wasn’t just a throwaway remark, she had thought in some detail about how she would do it.
In those early sessions, Charlotte was withdrawn. Seldom would she look me in the eye. Sometimes she would shake or rock with nerves. She had a gentle nature but a will of iron – you couldn’t tell her what to do; in any case, the therapeutic relationship means they need to decide for themselves.
In those early sessions, Charlotte was withdrawn. Seldom would she look me in the eye. Sometimes she would shake or rock with nerves. She had a gentle nature but a will of iron – you couldn’t tell her what to do; in any case, the therapeutic relationship means they need to decide for themselves.
Gradually Charlotte blossomed. She opened up and started making more eye contact, her body language was more positive and she said that counselling was helping. She got to understand, even love herself.
At the end of our time together, she said ‘I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for you.’ But she did all the hard work. There was a good connection between us which helped to develop trust and out of that has come her healing.
More recently, Charlotte’s mum wrote to me and said, ‘She started at her new school just over a week ago and is so happy there so far. She has made a new group of friends… She likes the school and the teachers and approaches each day really positively - no more hiding under the bedclothes in terror when I wake her in the morning!
‘She has a newfound confidence, so much so that we have booked her to go on a summer camp for a week in August. She doesn't know anyone else going but is looking forward to making new friends and having new experiences.
(Charlotte)… regularly considers what you would say when talking through situations that might cause her anxiety. We will be eternally grateful for all that you have done for her, we wouldn't be where we are now without you.
*Details changed to protect identity
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