Facing fears with a helping hand
When Johnnie struggled to face attending school, his mother approached ScotsCare
Johnnie was refusing to attend school and making it very difficult for his mother Susan to manage. He couldn’t put into words what was troubling him but became visibly upset as each Monday approached, and every morning was fraught with anxiety for them both.
Susan had recently seen an email from ScotsCare highlighting our children’s counselling service and after a discussion with our Family Support Worker, it was agreed that Johnnie would be referred to our therapy service in Westminster.
Both Johnnie and his mum attended weekly sessions, each seeing different therapists. The therapists at Westminster Centre for Young People worked with Susan to implement coping strategies to help support getting Johnnie back into school.
After several sessions Johnnie disclosed why he was struggling to cope at school, and how he felt intimidated and scared by the loud sounds and environment. Johnnie’s therapist worked with him to identify and implement some coping methods to help Johnnie get past his anxieties.
Additionally, Johnnie’s mother Susan and our Family Support Worker, met with Johnnie’s school, who agreed to put ‘time out’ and ‘exit plans’ in place to make school feel like a safer place for Johnnie. Gradually Johnnie was able to complete a full day at school and his fears of Monday have been much lessened.
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If you would like to know about our children’s counselling referral service, please call 0800 652 2989 or email help@scotscare.com