Anxiety
Children can suffer from anxiety for a variety of reasons and Covid19, and all that goes with it, has only added to the numbers of children presenting at clinics seeking help. Here at Hunter Play Therapy, we incorporate traditional play therapy to help children as:
Play therapy can help children play out their anxieties, which helps them process the scary feelings so that they lose their power. Through play, children can then practice ways of 'being' that are opposite to feeling anxious, like feeling powerful, strong and in control.
We also use the well-researched TAKE ACTION Program which is a traditional Cognitive- Behavioral Program that is user friendly and age appropriate. A combination of both strategies has proven to be very effective with children attending the service.
What does the ACTION in Take Action stand for?
Children are taught a range of CBT strategies in the Take Action program via a 6-step ACTION plan.
Each letter in the word ACTION stands for a skill children learn:
A
Be AWARE - The first step in the ACTION plan teaches children to be AWARE of their feelings and learn to recognise when they feel anxious. Children will also learn to be AWARE of signals in their bodies that indicate they are feeling anxious.
C
Keep CALM - Once children learn to be AWARE of signs of anxiety, the second step in the ACTION plan teaches children strategies to keep CALM and reduce their anxiety. These strategies include On The Spot Deep Breathing and Move My Muscles Relaxation.
T
THINK Strong Thoughts - Building on from being AWARE and keeping CALM, the third step in the ACTION plan teaches children to THINK positively and confidently. Children learn strategies for turning Scared (unhelpful) thoughts into Strong (positive) thoughts.
I
Get INTO ACTION - The fourth step in the ACTION plan encourages children to gradually confront anxiety-provoking situations using an ACTION Ladder (a step-by-step graded exposure hierarchy). Children practise the Be AWARE, Keep CALM and THINK Strong Thoughts steps while climbing their ACTION Ladder/s. Children are encouraged to reward themselves for taking ACTION against their anxiety.
O
Use my OPTIONS - The fifth step in the ACTION plan teaches children additional strategies (or OPTIONS) to further manage their anxiety including problem solving, asking supportive others for help, and focusing on the positives. Children are also taught social skills (e.g., confident body signals, assertiveness, dealing with bullying strategies) to further enhance their coping abilities.
N
NEVER stop taking ACTION - The last step in the ACTION plan encourages children to plan for anxiety-provoking times so they can keep taking ACTION against anxiety in the future.
Self-Regulation
What is Self-regulation and why is it important?
Self-regulation is the ability to remain calm, cope with big emotions, adapt, and respond appropriately to our environment. Self-regulation is important because it allows children to do well in school, with friends, and at home. It helps children feel good about what they can handle, and it helps children feel good about themselves.
Every session begins with a calming exercise and teaching a new self-regulation strategy. Children often develop their own or choose a couple they like from what they are taught and take it with them into everyday life. We use the Check Your Engine metaphor from the Alert Program.
By using the engine analogy to teach self-regulation (changing how
alert we feel), we are helping children learn what to do if they are in a
non-optimal state of alertness. We teach children that there are five
ways to change how alert we feel: put something in the mouth, move,
touch, look, or listen.
