Adolescent Counselling

The Magic Portal also caters for tweens and adolescents. The fundamentals of the play therapy process remains the same for young people, however, we often find that they shift from playing with toys to helping us understand their world by telling story. (and they also end up often playing with the toys!)

So often we find that they do not want to talk at all or they may object loudly (and sometimes rudely) to any attempt at support particularly when they have no faith or interest in engaging in the therapy process. This is Ok and a very common place to begin. They regularly have an idea that they will be sat in a room with a therapist and questioned which is understandably an excruciating prospect. This will not happen. We generally sit or lay on the carpet and allow the relationship to build in its own unique way. We negotiate set of rules which is made by your teen especially for me, wherein I will be provided with a colourful list of do’s and don’ts so that I can understand their needs and boundaries. This is often updated as therapy progresses and as we learn more about each other. Generally, the space eventually becomes sufficiently safe for them to engage well in the work. It may take some time but if we can allow the time, the process can be a positive and productive one.