Therapy for Children & Parents
Creative, Compassionate Therapy
Empowering Your Child to Wellness Through Therapy For Children
Every child’s inner world is as unique as their fingerprint, and when they’re struggling, it can ripple through the whole family. You might notice changes at home or school, sudden outbursts or withdrawal, or that your child is more sensitive than others their age. Perhaps they’ve been bullied, or they’re finding it hard to make sense of what they feel. This is often when parents begin to explore therapy for children as a way to understand and support what’s really going on beneath the surface.
I offer therapy for children who are navigating big emotions that feel too much to handle, whether that’s anxiety, anger, confusion, or sadness. Some children find it hard to express what’s on their mind, or they might not even understand it themselves. Others might be neurodivergent, living with ADHD, autism, or both, and need support that truly sees and honours who they are.
As a parent, you might be feeling powerless, unsure how to help, or overwhelmed by worry about your child’s future. You may find yourself becoming critical, getting frustrated, angry or agitated then feeling guilty, wondering how things got so hard. You are not alone in that. Therapy creates space for your child to be understood, and for you to feel supported in your role as their guide.
With almost 30 years of experience working in schools as both a teacher and now as a therapist, I understand the emotional world of children, and the challenges families often face in making sense of it all.
Children often feel things deeply before they have the words to explain. Emotions can surface through behaviour, anxiety, withdrawal, or changes at school or home. It’s not always clear what’s going on beneath the surface, and that’s where therapy for children can help.
A Space to Understand, Express, and Heal
In my work with therapy for children, I offer a warm, non-judgemental space where they can explore their inner world safely, using talk, play, and the creative arts.
Sometimes, words alone aren’t enough. Through drawing, storytelling, movement, or simple sensory activities, children can express what they’re feeling and begin to process difficult experiences in a natural and healing way.
We might explore:
- Regulating emotions such as anxiety, anger, and sadness
- Building self-awareness and confidence
- Navigating friendships and social relationships
- Managing school stress and transitions
- Understanding family changes and dynamics
- Expressing big feelings in safe ways
Every child is unique, and so is their journey. I meet them exactly where they are, working gently and creatively to support their emotional wellbeing.
Support for Parents and Carers
I believe therapy works best when we work together. As a parent or carer, you are your child’s greatest source of support. Your insights matter, and I provide space for you to explore your concerns, reflect on your child’s needs, and feel supported in your role. When we combine your knowledge of your child with my experience in therapy for children, we can create the conditions for real, lasting change.
To deepen this work and support healthy family relationships, I also draw on the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) model in my work with parents and children. This approach helps create safe, reflective, and connected relationships, strengthens attachment, repairs relational ruptures, and fosters deeper connections within families.
Parent sessions might include:
- Reflective space for you as a parent or carer
- Thinking about your child’s emotional world
- Support around behaviour or emotional outbursts
- Tools for emotional co-regulation at home
- Learning how to use PACE — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, to build trust and emotional safety
What I Can Help With
Therapy can offer a safe starting point for children and families facing a wide variety of emotional and behavioural challenges. For many families, exploring therapy for children is a gentle and effective way to begin addressing what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Whether your child is navigating a specific life event, adjusting to a recent change, or simply seems overwhelmed and out of sorts, the right support can open the door to clarity, connection, and relief. It can be the beginning of a new chapter, one where your child feels more understood, and you feel more equipped to support them through whatever they’re facing.
Therapy for children & counselling can help children with a variety of issues, such as managing emotions, dealing with stress or anxiety, coping with change or loss, overcoming behavioural problems, and enhancing communication with others.
Parents often tell me they just know something isn’t quite right, even if they can’t put it into words. Others are grappling with more visible struggles, big emotional reactions, social challenges, or a child who seems lost in worry or sadness. No matter where you find yourself, I offer a compassionate and creative approach grounded in therapy for children that adapts to what your child truly needs.
Some of the common challenges I help with include:
- Emotional and behavioural changes following transitions at home or school
- Experiences of bullying or social exclusion
- High sensitivity or emotional overwhelm
- Navigating neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism, or AuDHD
- Difficulties in school or with peer relationships
- Challenges with communication and emotional expression
- Parental concern, confusion, and uncertainty about how to help
Working with me means your child will be met with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect. Therapy is not about fixing your child, it’s about supporting them to understand and express their inner world in a way that feels safe, natural, and empowering. And it’s about supporting you, too.
What to Expect: FAQs
What does a typical session look like for my child?
Each session of my therapy for children is shaped by your child’s age and needs. Young children may explore through play, art, or movement, while older children may talk more directly about how they’re feeling. The space is always safe and supportive.
Do parents attend sessions?
I often draw on the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) model in my work with parents, which means your role is an important part of the process. Depending on your child’s age and needs, sessions are usually one-to-one, but this can vary. I always encourage a parent to be present at the first session, and we’ll decide together what feels right moving forward. Some parents may want, or need, more input — if that’s the case, we’ll work together more fully using DDP to support both you and your child.
How can I support my child between sessions?
I understand how important it is to feel connected with your child, especially during challenging moments. I can support you in learning and using PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy) as a way to strengthen that connection and support regulation for both of you. I also offer simple, practical guidance, such as co-regulation techniques, helping your child find words for their feelings, and creating calm, supportive spaces at home, so that you can feel more confident and supported in your parenting journey.
What age groups do you work with?
I work with children (aged 5 and above) and teenagers of all ages. Whether your child is just beginning to explore emotions through play, or navigating the complex pressures of adolescence, therapy is adapted to suit their stage of development.
Ready to Begin?
If something doesn’t feel right, or if you’re seeking gentle, creative support for your child, I’m here to help.
Contact me to book a free 20 minute consultation or an Initial consultation to explore how therapy can support your child’s emotional wellbeing and help your whole family move forward.
