Recognising that diving in too quickly could heighten Kai’s anxiety, our social worker, Amber, took a gentle approach.
Amber collaborated with Cherie, introducing her to a mantra book and a set of power cards featuring positive affirmations like “I am strong,” “I am brave,” and “I can do this.”Amber also shared simple breathing techniques and sentence starters to help Kai express his feelings.
As the weeks went by, Cherie and Kai practiced these techniques together. Slowly but surely, Kai gained confidence, even introducing himself to his friends’ parents. The tools helped him articulate his worries and build friendships along the way.
Now, each morning, Kai eagerly hops out of the car, excited to start his day, and meets his mum at the school gate without any worries.
*Names and imagery have been changed throughout this article to protect our client’s privacy.
