Plenarno predavanje

NEDELJA, 2. 6. 2024, 9.30-10.00

Dr. Barbara Horvat Rauter

Psihoterapija otrok in mladostnikov – podobnosti in razlike

Psychotherapy of children and adolescents – similarities and differences

Predavanje bo potekalo v angleškem jeziku. / The lecture will be held in English.

Otroštvo in mladostništvo predstavljata obsežno razvojno obdobje s številnimi in razmeroma hitrimi spremembami v posameznikovem splošnem delovanju (telesni, socialni, kognitivni, čustveni in osebnostni razvoj). Vse spremembe so povezane z zorenjem in razvojem možganov, ki so že pri petih letih manjša različica odraslih možganov, vendar se njihovo delovanje še vedno zelo razlikuje od delovanja odraslih možganov.

Otroci doživljajo in opazujejo svet z lastnimi očmi, zato nikakor niso majhni odrasli. Ne smemo jih obravnavati kot take, ampak jim moramo ponuditi prilagojen pristop in zdravljenje. Kako se psihoterapevtska obravnava otrok in mladostnikov razlikuje od obravnave odraslih? Na predavanju bomo izpostavili dve ključni razliki. Prva se kaže v prej omenjenem prilagojenem pristopu, ki od terapevta zahteva, da se uglasi z otrokovo, mladostnikovo razvojno stopnjo. To pomeni, da se obravnava izvaja na način, ki je otrokom in mladostnikom blizu – skozi igro, z vključevanjem močnih področij in interesov, ki jih kažejo, s poenostavljenim jezikom. Druga pomembna razlika med obravnavo otrok in mladostnikov je, da je v obravnavo vključen tudi sistem, v katerem delujejo – družina kot osnovna enota njihovega življenja in strokovnjaki v vzgojno-izobraževalnih ustanovah kot njeno nadaljevanje.

Tudi obdobji otroštva in mladostništva se med seboj bistveno razlikujeta. Ključna razlika med njima je v intenzivnem oblikovanju identitete, ki poteka v obdobju mladostništva. Na predavanju bomo predstavili tudi te razlike med razvojnimi obdobji in prilagoditve v terapevtskih pristopih.

Childhood and adolescence represent an extensive developmental period with numerous and relatively rapid changes in the individual’s overall functioning (physical, social, cognitive, emotional and personality development). All changes are related to the maturation and development of the brain, which already at the age of 5 is a smaller version of the adult brain, but its` functioning is still very different from the adult brain.

Children experience and observe the world through their own eyes, so they are in no way small adults. We should not treat them as such, but rather offer them a customized approach and treatment. How does the psychotherapeutic treatment of children and adolescents differ from the treatment of adults? We will highlight two key differences throughout the lecture. The first one manifests itself in the previously mentioned customized approach, which requires the therapist to tune into the child’s, adolescent’s developmental level. This means that the treatment is being performed in a way that is close to children and young people – through play, by including the strong areas and interests they show, with simplified language. Another important difference between the treatment of children and adolescents is that the system in which they operate – the family as the basic unit of their life and professionals in educational institutions as its continuation – is also included in the treatment.

The periods of childhood and adolescence are also significantly different from each other. The key difference between them lies in the intense formation of identity that takes place during the period of adolescence. During the lecture, we will also present these differences between developmental periods and adjustments in therapeutic approaches.

Barbara Horvat Rauter je doktorica znanosti in specialistka klinične psihologije. Od leta 2022 je certificirana transakcijsko analitična psihoterapevtka. Na Univerzitetnem rehabilitacijskem inštitutu Republike Slovenije – Soča je zaposlena že 12 let, trenutno na Oddelku za rehabilitacijo otrok. V svoji praksi na inštitutu je pridobila bogate izkušnje sodelovanja z otroki, mladostniki, starši in strokovnimi delavci iz vzgojno-izobraževalnih institucij. Zaveda se pomena dobrega terapevtskega odnosa. Poleg pristopa TA vključuje v svoje delo s klienti tudi metode čuječnosti, kognitivno vedenjske terapije in EMDR. Deluje kot predavateljica psihologije za študente zdravstvene nege in logopedije. Je avtorica več znanstvenoraziskovalnih in strokovnih člankov.

Barbara Horvat Rauter is a doctor of science and a specialist in clinical psychology. In 2022, she became a certified transactional analytical (TA) psychotherapist. She has been employed at the University Rehabilitation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia – Soča for 12 years, currently working at the Child rehabilitation Department. Through her work, she gains valuable experience working with children, adolescents, their parents and professional workers of educational institutions. She recognizes the importance of a good therapeutic relationship. In addition to the TA approach, she also integrates mindfulness, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in her work with clients. She works as a psychology lecturer for nursing and speech therapy students. She is the author of several scientific research and professional articles.