Rachel Collins

Building rapport with children can be difficult at times. A child’s cues for safety are often from the parent or guardian. If the parent develops a good rapport with the counselor, the child is more likely to as well.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a popular childhood diagnosis. Terms like hyperactivity, impulsivity and easily distracted come to mind when describing a child diagnosed with this condition. How can a clinician work with this conditions using everyday materials? Therapeutic games, such as the Impulse Control Game are great and serve their purpose but what about playing a game of Connect Four with the child?

There is supposed to be a no tolerance policy for bullying, especially within the school environment. Why is it then that a 5 year old who has appeared with scratches and terrified when he sees a certain child continues to be bullied on the school bus and within his school environment?

Traditional methods of deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation have a positive impact based on research on helping clients master the art of relaxation. Alternative methods such as origami, geometric shape coloring, painting, beading and use of clay have been used by this clinical therapist as ways to help client’s relax through mindfulness activities.

Waves come and go in the water just like symptoms of ADHD come and go in children. Working with children diagnosed with ADHD means helping the child understand what the diagnosis means and how to manage the symptoms.