Bullying, anxiety issues, problems socialising? Hand your child some Lego.

The popular toy won’t get rid of the problem, but experts believe it can help youngsters cope.

It’s therapy on offer at Solstice — roughly 30 children between the ages of four and 12 are involved in Lego Club, a programme at the Hamilton wellness centre.

“It was first started for children struggling with anxiety issues or who had conditions such as Asperger’s that made social interaction more challenging,” said psychologist Guy Fowle.

“With the older clinical group we focus more on social cues, communication and social norms. There are children in some of the therapy sessions being bullied in school.

“This is a positive environment for them to focus on social cues and norms. The bullying doesn’t just go away but their whole identity isn’t based on it.”

The children involved were assessed, and referred to the programme by doctors.

Mary Smith said her four-year-old thinks the club is fun. Children in his age group are assigned roles — director, supplier, engineer or builder — and told to work together to create something.

“He likes to be the boss so transitioning to another role was hard; as director or engineer you cannot touch the blocks,” said Mrs Smith, whose real name we haven’t used.

“It was also good for developing communication skills. You have to use a lot of words to tell the other child exactly which way around that grey block has to be placed. And when you’re the builder you can’t ever just go and get a piece, you have to ask the supplier for the right block.”

Lego therapy has been common overseas for at least 15 years. It was introduced to Bermuda last September by Solstice psychologist Eloise Pitts Crick. As you might imagine, their Lego collection is huge. Some of it was bought online, some pieces are second-hand.

“It is good for children with all but the severest issues,” said Dr Fowle. “There are hundreds of Lego blocks and little men but a sizeable collection is necessary when working with groups of children.”

Counsellors work with each child to set goals before each therapy session and assess them at the end to see if the goals have been met. Assertiveness, eye contact or team work are all common issues.

“It is kept fun,” said psychology intern Aysha DeSilva. “There seem to be amazing results quite quickly. The children are often placed outside their comfort zone to make things more challenging.”

A shy child, for example, might be made the director; a bossy one given the less coveted position of supplier. Ms DeSilva said she’s learnt as much from running the group as the children. She graduated a year ago with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is now taking a gap year before the next stage of her studies.

“I love working with the children here,” she said. “They really tell me they are excited about it.

“Each set of sessions lasts for six weeks but many of the children choose to come back for another set. For me, as a psychology intern, it is rewarding to see how a child who once isolated themselves in the beginning transforms to this child who loves sharing their opinions and their ideas and interacting with other children in the group.”

Her aim is to become a clinical psychologist with a concentration in child and adolescence.

Dr Fowle thought Lego therapy might work for adults, but with some limitations.

“Adults learn less easily than children,” he said. “Problems tend to be more entrenched in adults because they have been in there for longer. Kids are profoundly tolerant and adults aren’t.”

Lego Club runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A free play group is held on Saturdays for children between the ages of four and seven.

• For more information: www.solstice.bm, 292-3456 or info@solstice.bm.