Lucy Dimbylow has written for The Metro with some ideas about what not to say to young people who are struggling with their mental health. Lucy has some ideas on what would work better, which include taking an empathic stance together with naming what is going on and offering yourself as a container for your child's distress.
Some of the responses Lucy critiques are those that are made by a parent who likely cares very much, but is finding it hard to know how to attune to their child’s worries (possibly because of their own stress/fears) and is likely doing the best that they can, even if it isn’t having the desired impact. I believe we all do our best within our families and in addition to working directly with young people, I offer non-judemental, supportive parenting consultations where we can talk through your child’s difficulties and think about ways you can help them. I work in private practice and in schools in and around West Sussex.
I am a child and adolescent psychotherapist (UKCP Registered); a counsellor; arts and play therapist based in Chichester, covering Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. You can contact me here