Issue 12: Working With Children And Young People A Guide To Clinical Psychology, Mental Health and Psychotherapy: Psychology Worlds, #12

By Connor Whiteley

Over 60,000 words of psychological knowledge, theory and practice by bestselling writer Connor Whiteley in one great collection. If you want great, fascinating information covering a wide range of psychological topics you NEED to buy this issue!

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Issue 12 contains two brilliant full-length psychology books:

• Working With Children And Young People: A Guide To Clinical Psychology, Mental Health and Psychotherapy
• Developmental Psychology: A Guide To Development And Child Psychology

AND contains 5 enthralling blog posts:

• How To Make Anxiety Your Friend?
• How To Talk To Children About Their Mental Health?
• What To Do When Overwhelmed?
• What Groups Do For Individuals?
• Can Children Learn From Video?

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• Language: English
• Publisher: CGD Publishing
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215407028

Connor Whiteley

Hello, I'm Connor Whiteley, I am an 18-year-old who loves to write creatively, and I wrote my Brownsea trilogy when I was 14 years old after I went to Brownsea Island on a scout camp. At the camp, I started to think about how all the broken tiles and pottery got there and somehow a trilogy got created.Moreover, I love writing fantasy and sci-fi novels because you’re only limited by your imagination.In addition, I'm was an Explorer Scout and I love camping, sailing and other outdoor activities as well as cooking.Furthermore, I do quite a bit of charity work as well. For example: in early 2018 I was a part of a youth panel which was involved in creating a report with research to try and get government funding for organised youth groups and through this panel. I was invited to Prince Charles’ 70th birthday party and how some of us got in the royal photograph.Finally, I am going to university and I hope to get my doctorate in clinical psychology in a few years.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

As we finish the first year of The Psychology Worlds Magazine, I seriously want to thank all you amazing readers and supporters, we’ve covered a lot of brilliant topics this year and I’m definitely looking forward to exploring more in the coming years.

However, this is the end of a year as well, and it is the holiday season when this issue comes out so we need to celebrate that in a way too. As this is a psychology magazine, there really aren’t too many ways to celebrate the holidays but there’s one aspect of it that us as current or future psychologists can appreciate in these pages.

That is the aspect of goodness and being more positive. Therefore, in this issue, there aren’t any heavy topics and everything is more positive at least compared to darker topics like psychopathy, suicide and self-harm.

Believe me, we don’t even come close to those topics in this issue.

Instead you get to enjoy great blog posts about How To Make Anxiety Your Friend, How To Talk To Children About Their Mental Health, What To Do When You’re Overwhelmed and more.

After those blog posts, you get to enjoy two brilliant, easy-to-understand books with Developmental Psychology and the Gamification of Autism.

These are two brilliant, really interesting books that really complement each other because Developmental Psychology helps you to understand how neurotypical children develop cognitively, their brain, their sense of play and many more great topics. Then this helps you to understand how gamification could help autistic people in the later book.

Overall, if you want a good book to enjoy this holiday season, don’t settle for one book. Get an entire issue of Psychology Worlds containing two books and five blog posts.

You won’t be sorry you did.

HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS?

In today's episode of The Psychology World Podcast, we're going to be talking about the abnormal and clinical psychology topic of How to Talk to Children About Mental Health Conditions? 

So I wanted to talk about this clinical psychology topic because the Pandemic is putting a lot of strain on mental health. Especially for children, as they haven't been able to go to school and see their friends for a long time. 

Therefore, a child might come to you and speak about what they're worried they might have a specific mental condition, or they're worried they might have something but don't know what. 

Also, it's important to note that it has probably taken the child a lot of courage to tell an adult this. Therefore, it's important to be supportive and actively listen. 

In the rest of this clinical psychology podcast episode, I want to explain some things you shouldn't say to children. 

I should add I have personal experience with a lot in today's episode, but because it's personal, I won't give specific examples. 

What Not to Say to Children When Talking Their Mental Health

We all feel or do that sometimes, 

Personally, I understand why a parent might want to say this because they want to be supportive and they want to relax their child. So they don't think anything is wrong with them. 

However, this can be quite damaging since this is being dismissive towards the child and it probably makes them feel stupid or bad for coming to see you. Meaning if they do have a mental health condition and it gets more severe, they probably won't come forward. Leading them to suffer in silence. 

In addition, by saying this, the adult is shutting down important conversations before the child has fully explained themselves. 

You'll grow out of it, 

This is another initially logically thing to say to children because you want to reassure them that they would always feel like this. However, considering in my Abnormal Psychology book I explain a few mental conditions that get worse over time. This is reasonably danger advice. Since yes the child might grow out of this phase of the mental condition only to move into more severe phrases. All of which could have been avoided if a conversation was had earlier. 

Also, even if this doesn't happen, this is still invalidating their current problems. I know this from personal experience and sadly children are quite often left to suffer in silence until they grow out of it. 

You don’t have anything to be sad about,

At first, this may sound like a good point because people in the west tend to have plenty of food, fresh drinking water at a moment's notice and plenty of money. So, I think it's understandable to say this to a child. 

Equally, this can be a way for an adult to say focus on the positives to a child. 

However, this can still be very damaging to children because if an adult says this to someone then this plays into the guilt the child is already experiencing. Since they feel bad for struggling because they believe they shouldn't be 'messed up' or suffering. 

So, it's important not to say this to children and try and be more supportive instead. 

Don't tell others about this,

Again, this is logical, but this can come from a caring place. As a parent might not want their child to be bullied for suffering a mental health condition or being excluded. 

Yet this can come from a bad place to as the adult or parents might not want their child to tell others because they feel ashamed their child is suffering. And it makes them bad parents. 

However, this reinforces the child's idea that they're messed up, it's their fault and something is wrong with them. Over time this makes their concerns worse and it doesn't improve their mental health. 

Lastly, this reinforces the idea that mental health difficulties are a taboo subject that must not be spoken about. This stigma must go so people might get the help they need and improve their lives. 

What Should You Say to a Child? 

Throughout this entire clinical psychology episode, I've been telling you what you should say so the key in these types of conversations is to listen carefully and have a supportive conversation. And you could say the following:

How does the stuff we've just spoken about make you feel?

I’m glad you felt able to talk to me about this.

Do you have any ideas about what you’d like us to do next? (It’s ok if you don’t.)

Again, the key is to be supportive and listen. 

Reference:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/because-we-are-bad/202102/how-talk-children-and-teens-about-mental-illness

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HOW TO MAKE ANXIETY YOUR FRIEND?

In today's episode of The Psychology World Podcast, we're going to be talking about the abnormal and clinical psychology topic of How to Talk to Children About Mental Health Conditions? 

So I wanted to talk about this clinical psychology topic because the Pandemic is putting a lot of strain on mental health. Especially for children, as they haven't been able to go to school and see their friends for a long time. 

Therefore, a child might come to you and speak about what they're worried they might have a specific mental condition, or they're worried they might have something but don't know what. 

Also, it's important to note that it has probably taken the child a lot of courage to tell an adult this. Therefore, it's important to be supportive and actively listen. 

In the rest of this clinical psychology podcast episode, I want to explain some things you shouldn't say to children. 

I should add I have personal experience with a lot in today's episode, but because it's personal, I won't give specific examples. 

What Not to Say to Children When Talking Their Mental Health

We all feel or do that sometimes, 

Personally, I understand why a parent might want to say this because they want to be supportive and they want to relax their child. So they don't think anything is wrong with them. 

However, this can be quite damaging since this is being dismissive towards the child and it probably makes them feel stupid or bad for coming to see you. Meaning if they do have a mental health condition and it gets more severe, they probably won't come forward. Leading them to suffer in silence. 

In addition, by saying this, the adult is shutting down important conversations before the child has fully explained themselves. 

You'll grow out of it, 

This is another initially logically thing to say to children because you want to reassure them that they would always feel like this. However, considering in my Abnormal Psychology book I explain a few mental conditions that get worse over time. This is reasonably danger advice. Since yes the child might grow out of this phase of the mental condition only to move into more severe phrases. All of which could have been avoided if a conversation was had earlier. 

Also, even if this doesn't happen, this is still invalidating their current problems. I know this from personal experience and sadly children are quite often left to suffer in silence until they grow out of it. 

You don’t have anything to be sad about,

At first, this may sound like a good point because people in the west tend to have plenty of food, fresh drinking water at a moment's notice and plenty of money. So, I think it's understandable to say this to a child. 

Equally, this can be a way for an adult to say focus on the positives to a child. 

However, this can still be very damaging to children because if an adult says this to someone then this plays into the guilt the child is already experiencing. Since they feel bad for struggling because they believe they shouldn't be 'messed up' or suffering. 

So, it's important not to say this to children and try and be more supportive instead. 

Don't tell others about this,

Again, this is logical, but this can come from a caring place. As a parent might not want their child to be bullied for suffering a mental health condition or being excluded. 

Yet this can come from a bad place to as the adult or parents might not want their child to tell others because they feel ashamed their child is suffering. And it makes them bad parents. 

However, this reinforces the child's idea that they're messed up, it's their fault and something is wrong with them. Over time this makes their concerns worse and it doesn't improve their mental health. 

Lastly, this reinforces the idea that mental health difficulties are a taboo subject that must not be spoken about. This stigma must go so people might get the help they need and improve their lives. 

What Should You Say to a Child? 

Throughout this entire clinical psychology episode, I've been telling you what you should say so the key in these types of conversations is to listen carefully and have a supportive conversation. And you could say the following:

How does the stuff we've just spoken about make you feel?

I’m glad you felt able to talk to me about this.

Do you have any ideas about what you’d like us to do next? (It’s ok if you don’t.)

Again, the key is to be supportive and listen. 

Reference:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/because-we-are-bad/202102/how-talk-children-and-teens-about-mental-illness

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE OVERWHELMED?

In today's episode of The Psychology World Podcast, we'll be talking about the clinical psychology topic of What to Do When You're Overwhelmed. 

As always nothing on this podcast is ever official nor professional mental health advice. 

I'm going to talk about the topic of feeling overwhelmed today because with the craziness of Pandemic and the things that others have going on in their lives. It's easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Leading to a decrease in mental health and possibly an increase in depression and other mental health conditions. 

3 Tips to Help You (or your clients) when you're feeling overwhelmed:

Recognise Your Recognise:

I know this isn't probably what you or your clients want to hear but recognising your own feelings is important. Since you need to recognise them and think about how to deal with them. 

For example, I sometimes sit in my bedroom and make myself think about my thoughts and feelings. This allows me to think about if something is wrong. 

Also, if there is something wrong I think about recent events and I think critically about them. For example, if someone moaned at me. This could harm my mental health then I think about and recognise I'm feeling sad. Then I consider why they mentioned it and it's usually out of love. Making me feel better. 

In addition, I know at first Denial and forgetting our feelings might seem like a good idea. This is rarely the case because it leads to a build up of negative emotions and thoughts. Leading to a further decrease in mental health and possibly physical difficulties. Like, tension, stress and aggression. 

Find a Source of Consistency:

Overwhelm tends to be caused due to stress and uncertainty in someone's life. So, finding consistency is a must. 

This can be in others but it can be in themselves too. For example, some find consistency in their values and other personality traits. 

Even the thought of them being a good person what matter what can help. 

For instance, it always brings me comfort to myself to know that I'm a good person who wants to help others. 

Find Something You Can Rely On:

This point is split into two different points. Since this is talking about finding a person but it can be a time or memory as well.

You should try and find a person who you can rely on to support you and adds certainty to your life. For example, this can be a boyfriend, wife, mother, father or more.

However, this can be a memory or job as well. Because the real point of this idea is you need to find out what gives you a sense of calm and stability.

Therefore, if a type of activity gives you a sense of calm and stability. Do it!

If you love looking at family pictures, then do it!

Do whatever makes you calm and adds stability to your life.

Reference:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychoanalysis-unplugged/202102/what-you-can-do-when-life-is-overwhelming

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5 WAYS TO LIVE LONGER ACCORDING TO BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

As humans we all like to look into how to live better and longer from time to time, so I thought it would be great to look into this great topic in today’s episode. And even if you don’t want to know how to live longer, this is still a fascinating podcast episode looking at how our biology at the cellular level impacts our behaviour.

Today’s episode has been sponsored by Biological Psychology. Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it.

And as always nothing on this podcast is ever any sort of official or medical advice.

How Does Autophagy affect our behaviour?

In terms of biological psychology, it is rather rare for us to focus on what happens at the cellar level and how our cells affect us. However, there is a process called Autophagy that does affect our behaviour and this is just critical for us to look at now.

Due to Autophagy is the process that our cells use to get rid of all the rubbish inside them by releasing them or letting the rubbish degrade. The things that our cells get rid of include things like proteins, organelles and debris that are no longer effective or efficient to have in the cell, so it is packaged up and effectively kicked out.

In terms of behaviour and our wellbeing, Autophagy does not only dictate how well we can live our lives but it might also dictate how long we live for. As a result this is a key physiological mechanism that has been conserved throughout human evolution for the sole purpose of allowing our species to thrive.

Therefore, when our Autophagy mechanisms are dysfunctional or overwhelmed, our cells are unable to perform at their peak, and this can result in a person to age more rapidly or get a disease. Especially, as the process of Autophagy also includes other biological processes. Including lipography, this is the breakdown of lipids (fats) by lysosomal organelles, mitophagy the removal of our damaged mitochondria which is critical for respiration, and aggrephagy, this clears out other cellular proteins as well as debris, amongst other biological processes.

And what makes this really interesting to psychologists is that most neurodegenerative conditions. For instance, Parkinson’s disease and certain forms of dementia are associated with the increase and build-up of both pathologic as well as misfolded proteins. Therefore, if someone has ineffective Autophagy and their cells are not being cleared out properly then this can have serious negative consequences.

However, whilst these mechanisms are not fully understood, there are a number of different factors involved here. As well as regardless scientists know that the regulation of a person’s Autophagy can be affected by our environment, nutrient status, lifestyle and our own internal and external stressors.

And to sum up, the simple reason why this is important to all of us to understand is because optimising our Autophagy could be a way to decrease our own likelihood of dementia.

5 Ways How Can You Optimise Your Autophagy

Avoid Oils, Diary, Sugar, Processed Foods and Saturated Fats

I won’t lie and pretend that this is easy to do in the slightest, but I think this point is more about trying to cut down where we can. Due to these foods are pro-inflammatory and these can burden our mitochondria resulting in an impairment to their function and their role in Autophagy.

Caloric Restriction

When I