Siblings
Counselling for Siblings of Autistic and Neurodivergent Siblings
Butterfly Counselling provides therapy for siblings of autistic and neurodivergent siblings or, who are either on the pathway towards a diagnosis or are diagnosed. We have found that counselling sessions for siblings are extremely beneficial. Often when a child or young person is diagnosed, there is naturally a focus on that child or young person.
Autistic and neurodivergent children may demand more attention from their parent’s and this may have an impact on the other children in the family. Sometimes siblings can feel they have too much responsibility for their age, and this may bring up feelings of resentment, anger and guilt. This can make them feel they are not as important as their sibling.
Siblings may experience a sense of loss following a diagnosis of one of their siblings. They may experience a different sibling relationship to their friends, and this may bring up strong emotions including sadness, anger, guilt and loss.
Siblings can become overwhelmed at times due to the demands put on them by their family member with autism, bringing up a lot of tension and frustration within the sibling relationship.
At Butterfly Counselling, we offer a non-judgmental, understanding environment in which siblings can explore their own needs and feelings.
What can sibling counselling help with?
- Explore emotions and thoughts surrounding living with an autistic and neurodivergent sibling
- Psychoeducation around how their brother and sister experience the world differently
- Managing their own anxieties and behaviours
- Develop coping techniques to help with strong emotions and thoughts processes
- Exploration of feelings and thoughts due to the demands of their siblings
- Developing healthy boundaries with their sibling
Each session is 50 minutes.
There are many other issues that we can also help with – Contact Butterfly Counselling Services Ltd for more details.