How Parents Can Support a Child With OCD Without Making Anxiety Stronger When your child is anxious, your natural instinct as a parent is to help. You want to reassure them. You want to make the worry disappear. You want them to feel safe. This is a loving and...
My Child Needs Everything to Be “Just Right”: When Perfectionism Becomes Anxiety Many children want to do well. They may enjoy achieving, learning new things and feeling proud of their efforts. But for some children, the desire to do well can become overwhelming. You...
Why Do Changes in Routine Trigger Anxiety and OCD Symptoms in Children? For many children, routines provide comfort. Knowing what will happen next can help children feel safe, secure and confident. A predictable routine can answer important questions in a child’s...
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You notice the small things: The way they always want things done in a certain order The routines they follow before school or bedtime The questions they ask repeatedly The things they seem unable to move on from...
When School Routines Change: Understanding OCD and Anxiety in Children Introduction The long summer holidays can be a wonderful opportunity for rest and family time. However, for some children and teenagers, the changes in routine that come with the holidays—and then...
Watching your child struggle with anxiety can be one of the hardest experiences as a parent. You may find yourself constantly worrying: "Are they okay?" "Am I doing enough?" "Should I push them or give them more time?" "What if this gets worse?" When your child is...
As a parent, it can be worrying to see your child wake up complaining of a sore stomach, headache, feeling sick or saying they cannot go to school. You may find yourself wondering: "Are they really unwell?" "Are they trying to avoid school?" "Why does this only seem...
The school holidays can be a wonderful opportunity for children and families to spend time together, relax and take a break from the demands of everyday life. However, as the end of the holidays approaches, some parents notice changes in their child's emotions and...
For many families, the end of the school holidays brings a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Some children are eager to return, looking forward to seeing friends and getting back into familiar routines. Others may begin to feel worried, emotional or resistant as...
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a young person’s life. For some children, it is an exciting time filled with new opportunities, friendships and experiences. For others, the thought of leaving primary school behind and entering a much larger,...
Welcome to Anna Patel Psychotherapy’s resource centre.
Here you will find helpful articles, guidance and practical advice covering children’s emotional wellbeing, teenage mental health, parenting support and adult therapy.
Drawing on over 20 years’ experience as an integrative psychotherapist, Anna shares insights into anxiety, emotional regulation, school transitions, relationships, life changes and navigating difficult emotions.
Whether you are looking for support for your child, teenager, yourself or your family, these resources are designed to help you better understand emotions and find ways forward.
How Parents Can Support a Child With OCD Without Making Anxiety Stronger When your child is anxious, your natural instinct as a parent is to help. You want to reassure them. You want to make the worry disappear. You want them to feel safe. This is a loving and...
My Child Needs Everything to Be “Just Right”: When Perfectionism Becomes Anxiety Many children want to do well. They may enjoy achieving, learning new things and feeling proud of their efforts. But for some children, the desire to do well can become overwhelming. You...
Why Do Changes in Routine Trigger Anxiety and OCD Symptoms in Children? For many children, routines provide comfort. Knowing what will happen next can help children feel safe, secure and confident. A predictable routine can answer important questions in a child’s...
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You notice the small things: The way they always want things done in a certain order The routines they follow before school or bedtime The questions they ask repeatedly The things they seem unable to move on from...
When School Routines Change: Understanding OCD and Anxiety in Children Introduction The long summer holidays can be a wonderful opportunity for rest and family time. However, for some children and teenagers, the changes in routine that come with the holidays—and then...
Watching your child struggle with anxiety can be one of the hardest experiences as a parent. You may find yourself constantly worrying: "Are they okay?" "Am I doing enough?" "Should I push them or give them more time?" "What if this gets worse?" When your child is...
As a parent, it can be worrying to see your child wake up complaining of a sore stomach, headache, feeling sick or saying they cannot go to school. You may find yourself wondering: "Are they really unwell?" "Are they trying to avoid school?" "Why does this only seem...
The school holidays can be a wonderful opportunity for children and families to spend time together, relax and take a break from the demands of everyday life. However, as the end of the holidays approaches, some parents notice changes in their child's emotions and...
For many families, the end of the school holidays brings a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Some children are eager to return, looking forward to seeing friends and getting back into familiar routines. Others may begin to feel worried, emotional or resistant as...
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a young person’s life. For some children, it is an exciting time filled with new opportunities, friendships and experiences. For others, the thought of leaving primary school behind and entering a much larger,...