Individual Children from 4 to 11 Counselling

“ Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” - Gary L. Landreth

Child therapy provides a gentle, creative, and safe space for younger children to explore and express their feelings. Because children in this age group often lack the words to explain complex emotions, sessions heavily incorporate play, drawing, and storytelling. This developmental approach allows children to process their experiences naturally and at a pace that feels entirely safe for them.

This type of counselling can be helpful when a child shows sudden changes in behavior, struggles with big emotions, or faces difficulties at school or home. It helps children make sense of their world, build emotional resilience, and learn healthy ways to express distress. Working creatively helps your child feel seen, understood, and supported through their early years.

Clients often come to counselling for support with:

  • Helping children navigate intense feelings like explosive anger, deep sadness, or sudden outbursts that they struggle to control.

    I help them understand what their body is feeling and find safer, calmer ways to release that energy.

  • Supporting children who experience persistent fears, phobias, or a constant "what if" mindset about daily life.

    Through creative tools, we externalize these worries so they feel smaller, lighter, and much easier for the child to manage.

  • Assisting children who experience intense distress, tears, or physical illness when parting from parents or primary caregivers.

    Sessions focus on building a secure sense of internal safety and confidence during times of separation.

  • Addressing school refusal, anxiety about exams, or feeling overwhelmed by the classroom environment.

    We work to uncover the root cause of the school distress and build practical coping strategies to ease their transition.

  • Helping children who struggle to make friends, experience social exclusion, or find themselves in frequent playground conflicts.

    We use play and stories to practice sharing, understanding social cues, and building confidence.

  • Supporting young children through confusing family shifts like parental separation, divorce, moving house, or adapting to a blended family.

    Therapy provides a dedicated space where they can voice their worries without fear of upsetting anyone.

  • Guiding children through the confusing process of losing a relative, a close friend, or a beloved family pet.

    We use creative, age-appropriate mediums to help them express their sadness and preserve comforted memories.

  • Encouraging children who are extremely withdrawn, hesitant to try new things, or highly self-critical.

    Through validating play and therapeutic activities, we rebuild their sense of capability, pride, and personal confidence.

  • Helping a child gently process the psychological impact of an accident, a medical emergency, or witnessing something scary.

    We work carefully to restore their sense of safety in the world so they can return to being a child.

  • Providing a tailored space for children navigating ADHD, Autism, or sensory processing differences who feel overwhelmed by the world.

    Sessions focus on emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and managing environmental overload.

If you feel that counselling could be helpful for your child, you are welcome to get in touch to ask questions or explore whether this support feels right for you. It takes awareness and care to recognise when extra support may be needed. You do not need to have everything worked out. Reaching out can be an important step towards greater understanding, connection, and emotional wellbeing in both your own and your families life.