Services

Assessments

A client or family’s specific needs are determined by means of one of our following assessments:

Social-Emotional Psychological Assessment:

This is a general child assessment based on the free narrative of a minor child or adolescent and it evaluates the following aspects:

The minor child’s emotional experience and perception of his/her school teacher relationships and peer group relationships;
The minor child’s emotional experience and perception of his/her attachment with his/her biological parents;
The minor child’s emotional experience and perception of his/her biological parent’s marriage;
The minor child’s emotional experience and perception of his/her siblings and extended family unit;
The minor child’s holistic functioning;
Possible exposure to trauma in the forms of physical abuse, emotional abuse as well as sexual abuse;
Emotional Intelligence;
Communication preference;
Personality and temperament of the minor child; as well as
Other emotional issues the minor child may experience.

Forensic Investigation into allegations of Sexual abuse:

This is the assessment process in which the allegations of sexual abuse will be investigated.
The purpose of this evaluation of child sexual abuse is to determine whether (1) the abuse has occurred; (2) if the child is in need of protection; (3) if the child needs treatment for medical or emotional problems.
In the case of allegations of sexual abuse, we follow an investigation process that is both supported by literature and research, but also one that is objective and legally sound. Our role within this process is one of objective fact-finders. We work from the assumption that there are various possible explanations for the child’s behaviour and/or disclosure and that all possible hypothesis should be tested.
As part of a comprehensive investigation process all investigations into possible sexual abuse start with a pre-forensic evaluation of the child concerned. After completion of the pre-forensic evaluation of the child, if the outcomes of this evaluation indicate the need for further investigation, an appointment for a forensic interview will be scheduled.

Interactional Analysis:

An Interactional Analysis forms part of a broader investigation process or assessment process. The purpose of an assessment in general is to understand the multiplicity of factors that are contributing to a presenting problem so that needs for intervention can be identified and appropriate referrals can be made.
Sonia Howes follows a multi-method assessment model, and, in this model, the interactional analysis is considered one method of data gathering to determine the nature of the parent-child relationship, attachment as well as strengths and weaknesses in the relationship.

After an assessment parents will receive verbal feedback stipulating the findings of the assessment. Information provided to the parents can be utilized to assist parents in exploring options or alternatives to the family’s current way of functioning within the family system. Aspects that will be addressed during the session includes:

The minor child’s communication and temperament preference;
Understanding the emotional needs of the minor child;
Understanding trauma and how it impacts the minor child’s behaviour;
Affective discipline styles;
Recommendations regarding a therapeutic intervention plan.

The type of therapy intervention that I would utilize depends on the age of the client. The following therapeutic interventions are available:

Play therapy:

This is mainly for children between the ages of 3 to 12 years.
Play can be viewed as the universal language of children. Children learn how to develop and communicate through play. Children experience life different to adults and at times they do not have the verbal means to express themselves. Play is a child’s natural way of understanding themselves and the world they live in.
Play therapy is an approach where the therapist make use of various play techniques in order to help children express themselves emotionally. This approach is less threatening to children and help children to deal with trauma, stress, unfinished business, developmental crisis, ect. within a safe therapeutic environment.

Talk therapy:

This is mainly for adolescents and adults.
This therapeutic intervention enables the client to talk, express and deal with any undesirable thoughts and feelings. Talk therapy is founded in gestalts therapy as well as cognitive behavioural therapeutic techniques.
The aim of the therapy is to address the problems of the clients by identifying the emotional needs of the client. Furthermore emphases will be placed on gaining insight and self-awareness of one’s own process and perceptions regarding the world you engage in. This information can then be utilized in the changing of behaviour or acceptance of oneself.

Marriage counselling:

This is for married couples or couples that are in a relationship.
Marriage counselling helps identify the problems in a relationships, resolve conflict and improve partnerships. This therapeutic intervention provides couples with tools to improve communication; negotiate differences, problems solve and argue in a better way as well as enhancing our understanding of yourself and your partner on various levels including:

Preferred communication styles
Temperament
Love, sex and the Brain

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Sonia Howes

Registered Counsellor | HPCSA Registered | Practice no. 0361658

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