Kids: read here

Hi, my name is Nynke. I’m glad you’re reading this because I may be able to help you. Everybody has things they struggle with, not only kids.

Sometimes it’s difficult at school. Sometimes sad things happen. Sometimes you are fed up with everybody, sometimes you may have a feeling everybody hates you. You may feel angry, sad or alone. Everybody has unpleasant feelings and thoughts every now and then. The good news is that I may be able to help you to deal with these feelings in a better way. Here at surfNplay you can create, play and share your thoughts. In this way we can discover what the problem is and how it can be solved.

What happens exactly when you come here?

The first time your parent(s) will come and talk to me and tell me a little bit about you. What do you enjoy? What are your talents? They will also tell me what they think you are struggling with. The second time you come here we will make or play something and talk a little if you like. In this way we can get to know each other and discover what you are having trouble with. We can take our time, don’t worry.

During our next appointments we will explore how, with your talents, you can solve your problems. Don’t worry I will guide the way and give you tips. It’s a bit like learning how to surf. At first it may feel very wobbly and you may think you will fall off the surfboard. After a while you will see that through practise, slowly but surely, you will be able to ride the waves without too much trouble. Remember you learnt how to walk and ride your bicycle? You may have thought this impossible at the beginning. Now you probably walk and ride your bicycle without giving it a second thought.

At home and at school you will practise to deal with what you are struggling with in a better way. Our conversations are confidential. After a while I will talk with your parent(s) and tell them about the progress you are making. I will only share with your parents though what you are comfortable sharing. Once you have learnt how to deal with your problem in a better way, it is time for us to say goodbye. After a while you will come back for a last session and we will talk about how your “surfing” is going.

If you feel things are still not going too well or a new problem arises for which you need help you are always welcome to come back!