My name is Cristina Elescano Sandoval. I am a psychologist and have been working at NPH Peru for over two years. I am responsible for supporting children, focusing on their mental and emotional health from an early age. My role involves providing them with support and tools to face their challenges and fostering their overall development.
As a psychologist, my work includes a range of tasks, both administrative and direct interventions with children, their families, and the community. I find the direct intervention activities most fulfilling because I enjoy interacting with the children. Administrative tasks are also crucial to ensure compliance with care and protection regulations for the children and adolescents in residential care.
One of my primary focuses is on developing the social and emotional skills of the children. To do this, I adapt programs based on their ages and individual needs. I use various strategies, such as validating their emotions, practicing active listening, being empathetic, and understanding their life stories. All of this is necessary to create a safe and trusting environment where they can freely express themselves.
In many cases, the children exhibit behavioral problems, often as a manifestation of the absence of their parents. To address this, we work as a team with the tutors, who are closest to the children. Tutors receive guidance and counseling to provide individualized care, validation, and build trustful relationships, so that the children can experience a family-like environment during their stay at NPH Peru.
There are cases where children have psychiatric and neuro-pediatric diagnoses. These are complex cases involving adverse childhood experiences that currently manifest in emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties. In some cases I have managed, I have observed hostile behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and significant challenges in forming connections, especially in adolescents.
To ensure truly holistic care for their health and well-being, the psychosocial professionals, psychologists, and social workers coordinate and collaborate with those in the health and permanent care areas. Together, we strive to ensure the well-being and development of each child, always considering the principle of the child’s best interest.
To observe gradual positive changes in the children and adolescents, it is vital to establish a connection with them. Building this bond takes time, depending on personal characteristics and the experiences they had before coming to NPH Peru. Therefore, if I see signs of openness, trust, or willingness from the children, I feel that a positive change is forming, which will aid in future psychological interventions.
Annually, we conduct evaluations focusing on emotional, affective, and behavioral areas. We use psychological tests, reports from their teachers, behavior observations, interviews with the children, and reports from tutors, with whom we maintain constant communication.
I greatly enjoy sharing special moments with the children in their homes, such as having lunch together, celebrating birthdays, and participating in recreational activities like watching movies or listening to music. I also find much joy in events like the house anniversary, sponsor day, and sports championships, where I can cheer them on and motivate them. The children appreciate encouragement and support and enjoy participating in activities. Family visits on Sundays are also unique and special moments that strengthen the bonds between the children and their closest relatives.
In summary, my work as a psychologist at NPH Peru goes beyond providing individual therapy. It is about contributing to the holistic development of the children and adolescents with a strong sense of service, teamwork, patience, and empathy. Our goal is to truly enhance their social and emotional skills, preparing them to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.