BE AWARE...

Once again we are hearing that there are organisations and individuals who offer "mental health and wellbeing support" to children, young people and families on the back of completing a short course( some of them 4 days duration) or a certificate- become a play therapist or counsellor courses popping up on FB sites.

Cost cutting with cheaper alternatives is not always beneficial - particularly when the subject is mental health.

If children's mental health is to benefit then families- please ask these questions on what is being offered....

Is the "therapist" or practitioner qualified?

Therapists are trained to post-graduate level and in the UK will be registered for example by BAPT; PTUK or BACP.

This means they will usually hold a 1st degree in an associated discipline then a further 3yrs post graduate/ Masters level qualification.

Are they clinically supervised to ensure safe practice? - what happens if a child comes in to the room and starts to draw a picture for example or during the session is triggered in any way and begins to open up significant trauma or psychological difficulty that the short course person either doesn't recognise or doesn't know how to manage once it has come up to the surface?

Please always ask!

Someone who does not really know what they are dealing with can make matters worse if it becomes dangerous practice which can have implications for individuals and organisations and will involve indemnity insurance if a claim is made against an individual or organisation.

Registration bodies such as BAPT; PTUK and BACP are there for a reason- and include a robust ethical framework and guidance to ensure safe practice.

As is the stringent check and balance of the Professional Standards Authority.

At Mind Mosaic Child & Family Therapies we are registered and regulated by all of the above and all of our staff team are indemnity insured.

In short- please make sure that whoever is working with the contents of your child or family's minds are properly trained, qualified, supervised and registered to ensure safe practice.

Ask the question and ask to see credentials - every time.

Your child's mental health and wellbeing are too important not to!