One of the big moves in the world of mental health lately, has been the focus of improving mindfulness skills and mental health awareness in children. Schools in the UK and Ireland are now looking at reflection exercises as a way of teaching students to look after and understand their minds.
But one of the most complicated treatments for mental illness is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and it's something psychiatrists have struggled to adapt for children. CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing your unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
In early September I was invited out to UCD and given the opportunity to try out a kid-friendly CBT therapy tool, Pesky gNATs.
But one of the most complicated treatments for mental illness is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and it's something psychiatrists have struggled to adapt for children. CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing your unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.In early September I was invited out to UCD and given the opportunity to try out a kid-friendly CBT therapy tool, Pesky gNATs.
Pesky gNATs (PeskygNATs.com) is a computer game and
associated app created to aid counsellors in their work with children. Designed
for those aged 9+, it’s an accessible technology for young people in
counselling to help them learn about CBT.
They describe their vision as this:
Pesky gNATs is a computer
supported CBT intervention for young people. It combines gaming and mobile
technology with the highest quality psychological content to support
evidence-based interventions with young people aged 9-17.
Creator Gary O’Reilly told me it is a way of 'keeping the
therapist in therapy technology' in a world that’s turning more and more to
online technology to aid with mental health work.
