How to Make the Counselling Environment More Child Friendly
Before the session:
- Ask yourself – what has the child been through before seeing you? What professionals have they seen? What do you already know about them – review any written material.
- Decide whom you are going to see. Will you see the entire family together? Will you see the child first? Or the parents?
During the session:
- Arrange the seats in such a way that eye contact is easily made with each member of the family. Ideally everyone should be at the same level. No seat should be higher than another. (if you’re speaking to the whole family together)
- Ask the child which language they are comfortable with. Decide upon the language to be spoken. Choose the language which is easiest for the client to communicate in.
- Unless you have met several times with the child previously and know the child well, do not meet alone with a child. Always have someone in the room with you, either a colleague or a relative of the child. Meeting alone with a child may raise the her/his anxiety about being abused again and it may leave the therapist vulnerable to charges of abuse if no witness is present.
- With aggressive children, have someone present in the room or nearby whom you can call upon for help. If this is not possible, then sit near the door so that you can leave easily.
- Explain the reason for the session.
- If it’s a family, hear everyone out. Encourage communication between the family members.
- Check your body language. Make sure you appear interested and not judgmental.
- Explain confidentiality:-
– To the family: Say “Your medical exam and test results will be sent to court if you have made a police report. Otherwise whatever you say stays in this room.”
– To the child: Say “Whatever you say stays between us unless you’re suicidal. If you are, then I’ll have to inform your parents and the doctor so that we can keep you safe.”
After the session:
- Discuss future meetings.
