Part of our service is providing specialist support for children, adolescents and families throughout the time of care and beyond. There are a number of ways we provide this support depending on the specific needs of children, adolescents and families, such as:
- Providing parents and caregivers with information and access to resources
- Counselling support for parents/caregivers
- Parent/child sessions
- Play therapy sessions for children
- Counselling for adolescents
- Siblings sessions
- Family sessions
A range of therapeutic approaches can be utilised to suit the developmental needs and interests of children and adolescents from play therapy, creative therapies and counselling approaches.
To encourage children and adolescents to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences sessions might include the use of:
- Art
- Creating sandworlds
- Memory making
- Journaling
- Story writing
- Therapeutic play
For children under six years, the focus will generally be on working with parents/caregivers.
If, as a Hospice patient or family member, you feel your child or adolescent would benefit from this support, please contact the family support team at Waipuna Hospice on (07) 552 4380 or email childandadolescentcounsellor@waipunahospice.org.nz.
Resources
Anticipatory Grief – Supporting young people and children who are living with anticipatory loss and grief when someone they love is dying, by Skylight
Building your child or teen’s resilience – By Skylight
Bereavement
Bereavement at Different Ages and Stages – How can we help them, by Skylight
Supporting a Bereaved Teen – By Skylight