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Therapy for children

Are you a parent and feeling worried or confused about your child’s behaviour or mood?

You might be concerned that your child is off their food, having sleepless nights or refusing to go to school.

Or perhaps your family has experienced a traumatic event such as a bereavement or is going through a time of change, such as parental separation or divorce, and you’re worried about how this will affect your child?

Whatever the issues or behaviours, I can work with your child in an age-appropriate way, either on their own or with you or other family members present, so they receive the support they need.  

Working with the under fives

If your child is under five years of age, there may be specific issues around the parent-infant relationship, or your child might be experiencing separation anxiety.

This age group, in particular, responds well to child-led therapy involving play. Play is such a powerful way for children to communicate their feelings to grown-ups, and this is why I work with materials such as sand-trays, clay and paint.

I also use story-telling as a way of encouraging young children to express their feelings, and so I use miniature figures and puppets in my therapy sessions.

Working with older children

Just like adults, children can experience feelings of overwhelm, anxiety or depression.

If you’ve noticed your child has withdrawn from friends and family, is tearful or if they’re displaying signs of anger, as a parent, I know you’ll have concerns.

Your child might also be displaying signs of low confidence, having panic attacks, or you might be concerned about bullying or sexual abuse.

I can help. I’m a mother of four children, and I’m a therapist, qualified and experienced to know how to work with you and your child to resolve any difficulties, whatever they may be.

It’s about trust

If your child is going to benefit from therapy, it’s vital they like and trust their therapist. I provide a warm, friendly and nurturing environment for your child; space where they feel safe to express and try to make sense of difficult feelings.

Once your child is able to understand and learn to manage their emotions, they’ll be able to let go of the old coping strategies holding them back, for example, refusing food, bed wetting, clinging to mum at nursery drop off, sleeping in your bed etc and embrace new challenges and experiences with confidence.

Work with me

If you would like to explore working with me to support your child, you can contact me directly or ask for a referral from your GP, school or social services. You may also find it useful to read my FAQs for more information.