Educational Psychotherapy is a high level specialist intervention that supports children and young people's learning. It is based on psychoanalytic and attachment theories.
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It takes place in school where children and young people are seen in an environment familiar to them and their families. This can avoid long waiting lists and offers a great opportunity for teachers, parents/carers and other involved agencies to work collaboratively.
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What is Educational Psychotherapy?
Educational Psychotherapy is a highly effective way of helping children and young people to learn. It combines teaching with a chance for children to explore and make sense of painful or traumatic experiences that might get in the way of learning and development.
Who are Educational Psychotherapists (EPTs)?
Educational Psychotherapists are experienced teachers, or other professionals, whose further specialist training with the Caspari Foundation qualifies them for UKCP accreditation. They work in both schools and clinical settings.
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In early 2022, we asked some EPTs about Educational Psychotherapy: how it helps pupils, what it meant to them, how it's different from other approaches and why they'd recommend training with the Caspari Foundation. Read some of their answers here.
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Who benefits?
Educational Psychotherapy can help with a wide range of problems experienced by children and young people from all walks of life and at different points in their lives. Children may have experienced the death of a parent or other family member. Some might have witnessed a violent or traumatic event. Others may have had negative experiences of school and teachers.
How will I recognise if this is right for a child?
Educational Psychotherapists are experienced in recognising children and young people who are most likely to benefit from our help.
The initial referral process allows for discussion of the child or young person's needs prior to assessment sessions, which may lead to ongoing psychotherapy.
Educational Psychotherapy can help children and young people:
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with learning and communication difficulties
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with emotional difficulties
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who struggle with their social behaviour and find it difficult to form relationships
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who are at risk of school exclusion
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What difference does it make?
Educational Psychotherapy helps children and young people to understand factors that make it difficult for them to learn. It helps them develop the emotional confidence and self-esteem they need to become successful learners.
How does it help?
Educational Psychotherapy provides the time and space for children and young people to take part in specially-designed activities such as storytelling, drawing or play to help them explore and make sense of their difficulties. Educational Psychotherapists are highly skilled at adapting teaching methods to help children and young people overcome emotional blocks to learning and development. The use of structured, familiar activities helps them gain the confidence to start learning.
How long will it take?
Children and young people usually meet with the therapist for 50 minutes once a week. Sessions take place during term time and may continue for four terms or more.
How do you know it works?
Our results speak for themselves: over 90% of children and young people make an excellent improvement as a result of receiving our support.
We use clinically proven techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of the work we do. Download a fact sheet here.
