Primary School
Children
Psychological well-being
Children and families experience many adverse life events that can be difficult and challenging [e.g family breakdown, bereavement]. Some life circumstances can be stressful and cause children and parents to experience prolonged periods of sadness, anxiety, anger and other difficult emotions.
Primary-aged children can sometimes struggle to cope in the face of adversities because they are still developing their resilience. Parents and guardians can often feel "de-skilled" and lack confidence in supporting resilience in their child.
Many parents worry about what the "right thing" to do is and can often feel under-resourced in their own resilience.
Children and families who are experiencing difficult circumstances can benefit from support in building their resilience and we have resources which can help them in this area.
Counselling and therapy
The Exchange specialises in providing psychological support to children [4-11 yrs] and their families. Our therapeutic interventions focus on helping children develop resources that they need in order to cope more effectively with adverse circumstances and life events and we use the same framework to support parents/guardians of the child. In this way, families can develop the skills they need to support one another and improve the overall resilience and psychological wellbeing of the family.
The Exchange has a team of experienced practitioners who specialise in providing psychological interventions to primary school children. Primary school counsellors are accredited by a governing body [usually BACP] and are skilled in creative interventions such as theraplay, drama therapy, play therapy techniques and many more.
Most of our work takes place in Primary Schools. This is because the school offers a neutral and nurturing environment for child and parent. The school is a 'soft' setting for the child to meet with their counsellor. The school also forms an important part of the child's support system and is neutral ground for parents, teachers and counsellors to work together to support the child and family. If children or parents do not want to be seen in the Primary School then we can offer a space at our offices.
Children often show their feelings through their behaviour. The Exchange is committed to helping schools identify when there is an emotional need by recognising "bad behaviour" as a sign that the child is under resourced to be dealing with difficult feelings and adverse circumstances.
Programmes & Workshops
In addition to our bespoke work with children and young people, we also provide group work through our evidence-based programmes.
Our programmes work to complement the academic curriculum by focusing
on developing resilience across all levels of need.
We can offer both group work and workshop programmes around a range of issues and themes; e.g. bereavement, exam stress, anger, healthy relationships, transition. Aligning with school staff to integrate the programmes,
we work to encourage self-expression, build self-confidence and develop peer support.
In Primary schools we have supported over 1000 children through our interactive, creative
programmes. Collaboration with school staff and parents allows for an involved approach
which aids development within school and at home.
the adventure
Designed to prepare a child for the next big chapter and to tackle Secondary School with a confident and optimistic mindset
key to me
Promotes individuality and self-belief and guides the young person to unlock personal characteristics.
i matter
Supports children through the breakdown of family relationships and has been created to help the child make sense of the world which is changing around them.
inside out
Helps children learn healthy ways of expressing difficult feelings, getting the inside stuff out!
the friendship shield
Helps children develop friendship building skills. Children will create their own ‘toolbox’ of skills to enhance their connection to peers.
dragon mountain
Aids the ability to recognise thoughts, feelings and sensations and recognise these as transient elements of experience
caterpillar to butterfly
Based upon the framework of the “Resource-based Approach”, this programme focuses on building resilience through immersive activities.