Alphabreaths
In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises.
The post The Magic of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Child Anxiety Counselling first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a relatively new type of therapy that stemmed from traditional behaviour therapy. It focuses on developing psychological flexibility, which is the ability to stay present and live consistently with your values. This is done by combining mindfulness and self-acceptance practises with commitment and behavioural activation.
The Science Behind ACT
ACT is based on the Relational Frame Theory, a psychological theory that suggests that we interact with the world around us through relationships of various dimensions. In simpler terms, this means that we react to the world around us based on how we perceive it. So if a child is anxious, they will often perceive the world in a way that reinforces their anxiety, leading to a never-ending cycle.
ACT aims to help change how we react and relate to our feelings instead of avoiding them. The goals of ACT include overcoming negative thoughts and feelings, while living a meaningful and fulfilling life. This is done by accepting these thoughts and feelings instead of trying to fight them or get rid of them.
Benefits of ACT for Children
ACT can be really helpful for children, especially when it comes to anxiety.
It encourages them to embrace their thoughts and feelings, rather than avoid them. This can be really powerful, as it helps them to develop a greater sense of psychological flexibility. With this increased flexibility, they’re better able to cope with the difficulties and challenges that life throws their way.
ACT also aims to increase psychological flexibility by helping children to focus on what’s important to them. This could be anything from their values and beliefs to their passions and interests. And by doing so, it allows them to live more meaningful and purposeful lives.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Techniques for Anxiety Counselling
ACT is a psychotherapy that emphasises acceptance. In other words, rather than trying to fight our anxiety or feelings of unease, we learn to accept them. This might seem counterintuitive, but acceptance actually reduces our motivation to avoid situations.
There are several techniques that ACT utilises, including mindfulness, metaphor and paradox.
Mindfulness is about being present in the moment and observing our thoughts and feelings without judgement. By learning to be mindful of our anxiety, we can start to see it for what it is: just a feeling. It doesn’t control us, and we don’t have to let it dictate how we live our lives.
Metaphor is a powerful tool that can help us reframe our relationship with anxiety. For example, you might imagine your anxiety as a wave that you can ride out until it dissipates. Or you might picture it as a cloud that’s passing by. By using metaphor, we can start to see our anxiety in a new light and understand that it’s not permanent or insurmountable.
Paradoxically, by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasising acceptance, we can learn to commit to living the life we want, even in the face of anxiety. ACT helps us see that our anxiety is not who we are – it’s just something that we feel. And once we accept that, we can start to move forward with our lives.
Challenges in Applying ACT for Child Anxiety Counselling
While ACT is an evidence-based practise, there are a few challenges that need to be considered when using it to treat child anxiety.
First, it can be difficult to get children to buy into the idea of accepting their thoughts and feelings. They may see it as giving up or being lazy. It’s important to explain that accepting doesn’t mean that they’re resigning themselves to a life of anxiety. Instead, it’s about acknowledging that anxiety is a part of their life and making a commitment to do something about it.
Second, some of the techniques used in ACT (e.g., mindfulness) can be challenging for children to master. They may need a lot of practise and patience before they’re able to see results.
Lastly, it’s important to find an experienced therapist who is trained in ACT and who has experience working with children. This will help ensure that your child gets the most out of therapy and that the interventions are tailored to their individual needs.
How to Make the Most of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Child Anxiety Counselling
Here are a few ways to make the most of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in child anxiety counselling:
– Try to be as accepting as possible of your child’s personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. This can be a challenge, but it’s important to remember that acceptance does not mean condoning or approving of everything.
– Keep the focus on creating a meaningful life, even though this may involve accepting some pain along the way. This can help your child feel more motivated to make positive changes.
– Help your child build up a repertoire of coping skills that they can use in difficult situations. This can include things like mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.
Conclusion
So, what is ACT and how can it help child anxiety? ACT is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that helps individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings, and to commit to actions that are inline with their values. This can be a very helpful approach for children who are struggling with anxiety, as it can help them to feel more in control of their thoughts and emotions, and to focus on what they can do, rather than what they can’t.
The post The Magic of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Child Anxiety Counselling first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>The post Can you tell if your child is anxious? Common signs of anxiety, stress and worry in children. first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>More and more kids, unfortunately, have been experiencing stress, worry and anxiety. This was again made more prominent when our children’s regular routines were put into constant disarray due to the impact of COVID. These feelings can be disheartening and overwhelming.
What does stress look like in children? This can actually look different to stress for an adult. If you have noticed that your child has become very quiet or suddenly speaks fast and becomes difficult to understand what they are saying. Are they spending more time in their room and not wanting to come out? Are they trying to avoid places or activities that remind them of these stressful events or activities? Are they not as engaged in the family as they once were? These are potential signs that they are stressed, worried and/or anxious.
Other indicators may include;
- Difficulty sleeping, changes in sleep patterns or nightmares.
- Restlessness, on edge or increases in activity levels (constantly on the go).
- Complaining of headaches or stomach aches.
- Easily agitated; bothered by things they are usually okay with.
- Increased meltdowns and tantrums
- Decreased attention
- More clingy behaviours
However, there is a multitude of strategies that can be applied to help ease these overwhelming feelings and thoughts. These strategies are founded within mindfulness.
Some strategies include:
- Breathing exercises
- Physical exercise
- Having the feeling named and normalised “It sounds like you are anxious. I understand. Anxiety can be tricky. Can I help?”
- Talk about concerns or worries your child may have
Want more information on mindfulness and the mindfulness products we recommend? Read ‘Making Mindful Children‘ or learn more about our group programs.
Spring Forward has child and adolescent counselling services available to help support them through difficult circumstances and uncomfortable emotions. Meet our Counsellor Danielle or find out more about our counselling services.
MHNSF Pty Ltd T/A Spring Forward Family Centre is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The post Can you tell if your child is anxious? Common signs of anxiety, stress and worry in children. first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>The post Making Mindful Children: How mindfulness can benefit your child first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
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What is mindfulness? What does mindfulness do? How can my child benefit?
Practising mindfulness means paying attention to what is happening in our minds, body, and immediate environment, while remaining present, compassionate and curious. Overtime, mindfulness practises improve our ability to cope during times of high stress. Because of this, mindfulness results in greater mental clarity, an increased ability to care for and love ourselves and others, and achieve improved mental and physical wellbeing.
The reason for this is because our senses help engage us in the present and help us to notice what is happening around us. By focusing on one sense, we engage in mindfulness. Mindfulness activities like mindful smelling and mindful listening are great strategies that can help manage these thoughts and feelings of worry and anxiety. There are many more strategies that can be used. Mindful listening and smelling are just a small snippet of what can help these thoughts and feelings.
Meditation is another form of mindfulness as it focuses on the present moment. It also allows your mind, body, and spirit to rest and therefore can benefit your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Mindfulness meditation focuses on breath work to calm and reduce negative feelings in the body.
There is a plethora of activities that can help bring mindfulness forth. To start your child’s mindfulness journey at home, we have provided you with some at home suggestions below.
Prefer guided mindfulness interventions for your child? Our Mindful Magic group program provides innovative methods of mindfulness to help reduce stress, worry and anxiety, teaching children how to work their own magic using their mind.
Book your child in for the April 2022 School Holidays!
Meet our Mindful Magic Creator & Counsellor Danielle, and Creator, Facilitator and Therapy Assistant Brittany.
MHNSF Pty Ltd T/A Spring Forward Family Centre is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The post Making Mindful Children: How mindfulness can benefit your child first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>The post Transitioning to ‘Big School’ – 5 Tips for Parents first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>Nervous about your child’s first year of school? Worried if your child will thrive?
How do you know if your child is ready?
Beginning school can be a scary thing for both your child and you as a parent. You might be wondering if your child is ready academically, socially and emotionally.
What is really needed when transitioning to big school and what can you do if you feel your child may not be completely ready? Being socially and emotionally ready for school are the most common concerns! Not just writing, cutting and attention for learning. It’s a big thing to be 4 or 5, meeting so many new people, new rules and new environments.
Here are 5 tips you can do at home to help
1. Celebrate your child’s achievements
Take time to point out and speak about the times your child was brave, did something well and tried their best. Enjoy these moments, no matter how big or small whenever you can.
2. Encourage your child to participate in group and peer activities
Encourage them to participate in activities in the community, meeting new people and doing new things
3. Talk to them about their feelings
Ask them what they found tricky, what they loved and how they felt before, during and after an activity. Starting this habit before school will help them to share their achievements each day after school.
4. Explain why it is important to follow rules and practice some of these at home
Adjusting to school rules can be tricky. Play your games in different places; at a table, on the floor, outside and make reference to the routines at kindergarten that are also in these places.
5. Talk about big school, and visit as much as you can
Don’t only focus on the good things, listen to your child’s concerns/things that worry them. Validation and reassurance is very powerful. Also talk about what they are looking forward to.
The post Transitioning to ‘Big School’ – 5 Tips for Parents first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>The post Managing Back To School Anxiety first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
]]>Starting a new school year with new teachers, classes and expectations can make children a little nervous. Some children may still be feeling the effects of the COVID lockdown which can make this time even harder.
Here are some ways you could help your child manage their feelings.
1. Show confidence and excitement when talking about school. This sends a positive message to your child.
2. Talk and listen to your child about their feelings. Let them know it is ok to feel how they feel.
3. Encourage your children to reconnect with school friends. Set up a playdate.
4. Give your child a little control. Let them pick their school lunch or afterschool activities.
5. Incorporate breathing exercises and muscle relaxation activities.
Practical ways to maintain positive emotions around school.
6. Maintain a healthy diet, physical activities and sleep routine.
7. Do a special activity with your child in the afternoon/evening. i.e. read them a book before bed.
8. When your child is ready, get them back into extra-curricular activities.
9. Encourage your child to exercise self-compassion. i.e.. positive affirmations, “I’m trying my hardest, it’s ok that I need help with my homework today”
Need a little more support?
Our Spring Forward team is here to help! Our experienced counsellors have created two holiday programs that help children embrace mindfulness and boost their self-esteem. Our ‘Mindful Magic’ group provides children with different strategies to help overcome confronting feelings and manage stress in everyday life. ‘Esteem Team’ is a fun and supportive program where children will learn about self-esteem, what it means to them, strategies to support themselves and language to use with others. Learn more.
If you are interested in these programs secure your spot in our April 2022 School Holiday Programs or express your interest in our after school programs.
Prefer one-on-one sessions?
Our Spring Forward team includes two experienced counsellors who assist children to express themselves in a healthy and productive way that can alleviate any restrictive emotional states such as anxiety and stress. Our counsellors provide understanding and compassion while building skills to assist in becoming self-aware and fostering self-growth.
Learn more about counselling at Spring Forward or contact us for bookings and enquiries.
The post Managing Back To School Anxiety first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.
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