therapy

Childline is developing a therapeutic services program that can provide free face-to- face counselling and play therapy to children in need

Therapeutical service to children and families

In Mpumalanga there is a currently limited organization that offers free therapeutic services to abused and traumatized children and their families.  In response to this problem, Childline is developing a therapeutic services program that can provide free face-to- face counselling and play therapy to children in need. This will be a complementary component of the Crisisline, which offers telephonic counselling services. 

Currently, Childline has a play therapy room and two well trained social workers in place that will facilitate this service through individual and group therapy.    

Once the individual counselling services are established the long-term vision is to establish satellite offices in the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts. 

These offices will offer the children who are too far from the Nelspruit office access direct services.  This will especially be important for the children who currently have no access to direct services in their area.

Individual Therapy Assessments are done by obtaining collateral from role players in the child and his family’s life. Reports re the service of childline is provided with the permission of the family to departments like the family advocate, police, and fellow family members as identified need to be informed.

Group work – group member’s feedback and input will be an integral part of the planning and way forward for each group session

Statistics re cases received and clients seen are kept. Case files are opened and process notes kept in confidentially, as prescribed by the SACSAW and legislation. During monthly supervision with social workers, cases are discussed and evaluated to ensure the best interest of the child in each case.

Two monthly case discussions were also arranged with the CMR Nelspruit to facilitate a process of peer group supervision. Reports to outside organisations e.g. Family Advocate are co-signed by the social worker and director of the office to ensure that a true reflection of the process undertook by Childline with the family is reported

Welcome and Introduction Letter to parents

Dear Parents

Thank you for bringing your child to our therapy service facility.  We at Childline Mpumalanga focus on the best interest of the child and assure you that your child and his well being is a priority with us.  We work from a child centred as well as a systemic approach.

Just some things for you to keep in mind:

1. The child is unable to verbalize his needs, fears and uncertainty.
2. Play is the most natural way for a child to express himself.
3. By using play techniques, the therapist can help the child to solve his problem in a natural way.
4. Fears and uncertainty are being played out and behaviour change is possible.
5. Play therapy focus on the child’s world of fantasy and may be strange for the parents.
6. The parent’s co-operation is very important for successful therapy.
7. Play therapy may be a long-term process and it may seem as if there is no progress
8. It is important not to expect immediate results.
9. It may feel to the parents that the child’s behaviour becomes worse during therapy.  That it is however a natural process in therapy.  Parents must keep this in mind all the time.
10. If the therapist gives the parents certain instructions, they must follow it at home.

Childline Mpumalanga vision is to serve all children in this province.  It is however not possible to deliver this service free of charge to all children.  We request that you support us by paying a minimal fee/donation for the following specialized services that we offer:

1. General emotional assessment – R200 p/h
2. General assessment report – R100

1. Forensic Assessment (cases regarding sexual abuse) – R200 p/h

1. Recording of interviews on DVD – R100 per session

Forensic assessment report – R 100