October Newsletter 2024& Pupdate From Womble
Paws and tails wagging, it’s Womble the therapy dog here! Let me tell you a little bit about the amazing people at Teenage Mental Health (TMH) and how they can help for our first time readers or our newsletter.
🐾 Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Therapy 🐾
At TMH, we’re all about supporting you and your young human through difficult times. We know how much mental health can affect not just kids, but everyone who loves and cares for them. That’s why we’re here to provide specialist therapy for children, ensuring positive outcomes for all.I’ve seen it first-hand, young people start to feel lighter, like I do after a good belly rub!
Often, parents come to TMH after being stuck on a roller coaster of waiting lists and referrals. I can see how stressful that can be for both the parents and their kids. To help you jump off that ride, TMH promises to make a first appointment available within 48 hours of your enquiry. And guess what?
That appointment lasts one hour and is totally free of charge—no strings attached!
The humans at TMH are super qualified too! They all have fancy BACP or equivalent accredited qualifications, especially in child and adolescent mental health at a Master’s level. So, you’re in great paws... err, hands!
For more information, you can sniff out the rest of our websit
Take care and remember, a little love and care go a long way! 🐶💙
Woofs and wags,
Womble 🐾
Woof!
Have you seen we’ve started releasing short clips on Therapy and Mental Health topics?
We share these via our social media accounts, but you can also find them on our new YouTube page @TMHSuffolk.
Please take a look and subscribe. Any likes or shares are appreciated as we continue to build our platform, and what you share may help and benefit someone else!
I already work very hard, so I have got my pet therapy human (Fiona) doing these videos, like the following.
I know… it’s good of me to share the limelight! Woof!
If there’s anything related to therapy or mental health that you would like to see us cover, or would have found helpful in the past, please share this with us!
Email me: womble@teenagementalhealth.co.uk (Subject: Video Idea)
This will help inform our content moving forward and ensure it is truly beneficial for subscribers and visitors.
I’m Also On Instagram! @womblethetherapy
#womblethetherapydog
So you can see what I get up to, and what a good boy I am!
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Why Do Therapy Weekly?
Weekly therapy sessions are often considered the optimal frequency for many patients, especially younger individuals, for several reasons.
Read other reasons why therapy is commonly weekly here
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Don’t Let The Cold Stop You!
Benefits of Staying Active, Eating Well, & Seeing Friends in Autumn
As the vibrant colours of autumn take over, the colder weather can often leave us feeling like hibernating. It’s easy to swap social outings for cosy nights in, but staying active, eating well, and maintaining social connections is crucial for our mental and physical well-being, perhaps even more so as the days grow shorter and darker.
Let’s explore the psychosocial benefits of continuing to get out and see friends, eating the right foods, and keeping up with exercise during the colder months.
Read further here
Meet The Team
Introducing with a wag a woof, Sarah!
Paws up, because I’ve got to tell you about Sarah, she’s one of the coolest humans I know!
Sarah is a super skilled psychodynamic counsellor, which means she really gets what’s going on beneath the surface. She’s been helping young people for over five years, both in private settings and schools. Sarah’s one of the Clinical leads on the TMH Team.
She’s worked with all kinds of tough stuff like poor attachment, self-harm, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even thoughts of suicide. Sarah’s also experienced working with victims of sexual abuse. No matter what’s weighing on a young person's mind, Sarah’s there to help them through it.
And did I mention she’s super smart? Sarah graduated from the University of Essex with not one, but two Masters degrees in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychology! Before that, she studied Drama at St. Mary’s in Twickenham—so she’s creative, too! Her psychology degree dives deep into cool topics like social psychology, positive psychology, neuroscience, and how kids develop as they grow.
Sarah completed an extra qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) this year too, she doesn’t stop!
With Sarah on your side, you’re in good hands (and paws!). She’s got all the tools to help young people feel better and find their way forward.
Meet the rest of the team HERE
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Monthly Book Recommendation
Children's Recommendation
The Way I Act by Steve Metzger
This book helps children understand how their actions and behaviours can impact their emotions and those around them.
Adult Recommendations
Unlocking the Mysteries of Boys' Puberty - Alexander Woolery
A helpful book of facts and ideas every parent needs to know about their teen's body stages, transformation, and hormone changes.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
A classic guide for parents,this book provides effective communication techniques to foster better relationships with children.
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Did You Know?
Why Confidentiality In Psychodynamic Talking Therapies Can Be So Important For Younger Patients...
In the realm of talking therapies, confidentiality is a cornerstone, especially when working with younger patients. As a trusted therapy dog, I’ve observed that maintaining a high level of confidentiality isn’t just a procedural necessity, it’s essential for fostering a positive and effective therapeutic environment.
Check out our recent blog and video on confidentiality! HERE
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WE DO FREE INITIAL APPOINTMENTS
Yes, it's true, we always provide a first appointment for free for those considering therapy.
Visit the centre and meet a clinician in person before making the decision to start therapy. If it is not the right time, or not right for you or your child, the door remains open.
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Understanding Adolescent Rebellion: A Perspective for Parents
Adolescence is a turbulent time for many families. As children transition into teenagers, they often engage in behaviours that challenge authority and push boundaries. For parents, this period can feel confusing, stressful, and sometimes alarming.
Why does your once-cooperative child now seem to oppose everything you say? From a psychodynamic perspective, adolescent rebellion isn’t just a phase of defiance; it’s a vital part of emotional and psychological development.
In this blog, we’ll explore why teenagers rebel, the developmental importance of this behaviour, and offer five helpful approaches to handling it.
Read further HERE
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Do you want to link our blogs to your school or organisational website?
This Newsletter and Blog is for the general public domain. All we ask is you request our logo to use on your site if wanted, and reference the blog link/page.
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Keeping Teens Connected Transitioning Into Independence
Whether you're filled with excitement as your child grows and spreads their wings, or secretly wishing they could remain your baby forever, the transition into adulthood often comes with a few bumps and learning experiences along the way.
One of the greatest challenges parents face during adolescence is knowing when, and how, to let go. At every stage of development, children need to be gradually given the space and freedom to grow within the safety and security of you and the environments you create. However, there comes a time when they need to grow where to explore further, holding part of what you‘ve provided within themselves, keeping them connected, in preparation, perhaps, for flying the nest or leading more independent lives.
Finding the balance between maintaining boundaries and offering freedom is an ongoing process that requires careful attention, empathy, and a willingness to adapt. This period is about helping your child develop autonomy while maintaining a strong emotional connection. It’s a process that requires trust, patience, and insight into your teenager’s needs.
Read further HERE
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How can therapy with TMH help you or someone you care about?
Read some examples and feedback from those we've helped before, and if you think we might be the right help for you, we can advise on the rest.
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We do online therapy for those not able to reach us in person!
Making quality therapy more accessible
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Thank you for reading! Woof!
A big, spooky woof from me, Womble the therapy dog! I hope you enjoyed our newsletter, full of tricks, treats, and tails wagging.
As the days grow darker and the nights a little chillier, remember that you're never alone in the eerie forest of life. Whether you’re howling at the moon or feeling a bit ghostly, the wonderful humans at TMH are here to help light your lantern and guide you through the fog.
So, keep your paws warm, your pumpkins glowing, and your spirits high! If you need a little extra magic, TMH has the spells (err, I mean, therapy skills) to help you feel your best.
Stay paw-sitive and have a fang-tastic Halloween! 🐾🧡👻
Woofs and wags,
Womble 🎃🐶
