Therapy
Caldecott offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions, central to the care and individual needs of our young people. These include:
- Art psychotherapy
- Integrative child psychotherapy
- Child and adolescent psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Music therapy
- Group therapy
Therapists consult with key workers and the local authority to ensure a co-ordinated approach in the best interests of each young person, and work alongside care staff to promote an informed understanding of childcare practice through training and reflective work.
The service is continually evolving, and is enhanced with training placements in partnership with the Goldsmiths College, London Metropolitan University, the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education and the Tavistock Clinic, London.
Art Psychotherapy
Sarah Armitage BA (Hons), RNMH, DipAT, RATh
In art psychotherapy individual young people are given the space to create pictures or sculptures in their own time and in their own way. Some young people find it difficult to make sense of how they are feeling and struggle with words as a form of communication. The creative process offers an alternative symbolic means of communication through which Sarah can encourage the young people to express feelings that may be feared as unacceptable or unmanageable.
During this process the young people may become more aware of themselves and their feelings and gain an increased awareness of others. The therapist works within a boundaried, psychotherapeutic framework to facilitate, contain and establish a therapeutic relationship that can be experienced and worked through ultimately to help bring about change.
Music Therapy
Tim Smith BMus (Hons), LRAM, PGDipMTh
From the pulse of the heart to the pitch of the voice, the human condition has an innate musicality to it. As such, music provides a safe and containing framework for the expression of feelings within a therapeutic relationship. The music therapist aims to facilitate positive changes in emotional well-being. A wide range of instruments, including tuned and untuned percussion, are available to explore in sessions. In general both the young person and therapist take an active part by playing, singing and/or listening. The experience of being contained and supported in an interactive duet provides the foundations from which a therapeutic relationship is formed. Areas that the child may find difficult to speak about directly can be articulated through musical forms.
Non-Directive Play Therapy
Emily Carrick MA, Dip PT
During Play therapy children use toys and figures as a familiar method of communication rather than have to explain what they are feeling in words. Children may play out situations they have experienced or rehearse alternative ways of interacting and dealing with difficulties. The intervention is non-directive so the child chooses what to do in the room and does not feel pressured to refer to, or discuss things, that they do not want to.
The Caldecott Foundation has a designated therapeutic playroom with many toys to select from including art materials, puppets, sand and water, dolls, vehicles, soft toys, animals and figures.
Integrative Child Psychotherapist in Training (IATE)
Peter Hopgood
An Integrative Child Psychotherapist incorporates psychoanalysis, transitional analysis, Gestalt, infant mother research, psychiatry, neuroscience and affective education to support the understanding of the young person within a therapeutic relationship. A range of techniques are used to support the young person’s communication including therapeutic storytelling and metaphor in addition to practical equipment such as art materials, music, puppets and a sand tray.
Peter Hopgood has diplomas in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts, Group Analytical skills and is currently in his final year of training at the Institute of Art in Therapy and Education, London Metropolitan University. Peter has worked in residential care within Caldecott for 18 years with 10 years experience as a Registered Manager within our Residential Houses.
