Bolitho Therapy

A confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings and challenges of growing up

Therapeutic support for Children, Adolescents and Parents

Welcome and thank you for visiting Bolitho Therapy.

My name is Beth Bolitho and I am a psychodynamic therapist working with children, adolescents and parents. I primarily work online but can arrange in-person sessions in East London.

We all have our mountains to climb. Sometimes as a young person the journey can seem insurmountable. We need a hiking buddy to encourage us and keep us safe; someone with whom we can sit and reflect about the challenges, our achievements as well as thinking about the path yet to climb. I am here to be that buddy, to provide a listening ear for young people and their families, to help them to make sense of their worries, whether it be stress and anxiety, coping with family breakdown or bereavement, struggling with peers, or just feeling a bit lost and uncertain about what's next.

As a fully-qualified child and adolescent psychodynamic counsellor (MSc, Birkbeck), I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and accredited by the British Psychoanalytic Council and abide by their code of ethics.

When I talk to young people and parents I explain that sometimes our worries and feelings get all jumbled up. We end up feeling very confused, anxious and overwhelmed. My role is to try and untangle the worries, not to make them go away but to help the young person to make sense of them so that they can manage the worries better. Here are a few of the more common worries that can be supported through therapy:

Feelings of stress or anxiety

Managing behaviour

Difficulties making or keeping friends

Family breakdown Low mood

Difficulty listening and concentrating

Lack of motivation

Problems with confidence or self-esteem

Angry outbursts at home or school

Grappling with identity issues

Worries about self image

Bereavement

Working with younger children

Younger children sometimes struggle with making sense of the waymarks and signs marking the paths. They might also need support in working out how best to tackle some of the obstacles along the way. I provide play-based therapy for primary school-aged children whom often find it easier to communicate their worries by drawing or playing games. Sessions are best held face-to-face in order to facilitate communication and relationship-building. These sessions can be held at school (with consent) or in private therapy rooms.

The teen years

A teenager is learning to navigate the adult world. They are learning to read emotional, social and academic landscapes and find a way through that works for them. Can you imagine being left in the wilderness and told to find your way? This can provoke all kinds of emotions - excitement, a sense of freedom, fear of failure or an absolute certainty that they know everything already! They might just sit down on the path and refuse to move or decide they don't need a path and head off-piste! This is why having a trail buddy can be helpful to support them to think about their worries, to reflect on the best path for them and ensure they have the "kit" for their journey.

Parents

Parents provide the key components for their children's journey of growth and development. Parent consultations can provide a safe and non-judgemental space in which parents can think about their concerns for their child and their family as a whole. It can also be a space for parents to reflect on their own experiences of parenting as well as being parented. Parent work can take place termly or take the form of regular weekly sessions.

"Working with Beth has been transformative for us as parents. A year after beginning our therapy sessions with Beth the change in us — and in our child — has been staggering. From the very first moment, Beth seemed to understand us as people (and parents) and with remarkable speed started untangling the things that were tying us in knots. The change to us and to our child has been tremendous. She combines a deep level of insight and instinct with a warm and personable touch that always makes our work together feel light, funny and revealing. We are so grateful for having found Beth and for the positive effect her work has had on us and our child."

R and M, parents of five-year-old D

CONTACT ME

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of finding a therapist for your child, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07748775027 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.