For a variety of problems, including stress-related difficulties, depression, postnatal depression, and mood disorders. Our practice offers treatment for anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD and phobias. Our psychologists provide specific therapy for eating disorders, low self-esteem, low confidence, and trauma.
The burden basket was developed to offer mental health training, advice and support to schools. It has grown to offer individual support to children and to adults. Its primary project is developing the Hope Project in schools (Helping Our Pupils Emotions). The Hope Project (Helping Our Pupils’ Emotions):
Schools commit to training a Teaching Assistant (TA) to be a “Listening Ear” for children. The TA receives 4 days of training which covers a range of skills and knowledge. The “Listening Ears” are supervised throughout the academic year by mental health trained professionals to ensure the TA’s safe practice and wellbeing. Supervision is through reflective practice groups or individual meetings.
Once trained, the school and TA identify a dedicated time/space to be available for children. There is a referral criteria and form to ensure the most appropriate children are being referred i.e. emotional need. Children can self-refer. Children receive up to 6 sessions and are then reviewed to assess what further needs they have. Communication with parents is via face to face contact or postcards home.
The Hope Project recognised there are not enough professional resources to meet the increasing mental health needs of CYP in the UK (NICE 2013). This is evidenced by increasing waiting times for treatment and cuts in local provision particularly early intervention services. “Task-sharing” with school staff means that the school has knowledgeable staff that can contain anxieties about CYP as well as offering short term support that target the problem early in its onset.