I have extensive experience supporting children across different ages and stages of development. Before working in private practice, I spent seven years working in secondary schools with young people aged 11–19, followed by two years working in a primary school with children aged 5–11.

In private practice, I can consider younger children on an individual basis, depending on their age, needs and whether counselling is the right form of support for them.

Children and young people may come to counselling for many different reasons. This can include anxiety, low self-esteem, worries, emotional difficulties, friendship problems, bullying, school or exam stress, family separation or changes at home, grief and loss, obsessive or intrusive thoughts, sometimes there’s no obvious reason, and a child may simply need a confidential space to talk and explore their emotions. I work with each child as an individual, adapting the way we work to their age, needs and circumstances.

Withdrawing from family or friends, difficulties at school, sleep changes, struggling with friendships, low confidence, or talking about feeling overwhelmed. They don’t have to wait until things feel severe. Sometimes just sensing that something’s not quite right is enough to explore support.

Sessions are child-led and age-appropriate, using conversation or creative activities, drawing, games, worksheets, fidget tools, different approaches to help the child express and explore what’s going on. They won’t be forced to talk about anything they’re not ready to discuss.

Yes. Confidentiality is an important part of creating a space where children and young people can feel comfortable talking openly about what is going on for them. Where a young person is Gillick competent, they have the right to consent to counselling and to have what they discuss treated as confidential, including from their parents or carers.

There are limits to confidentiality where there is a safeguarding concern, a risk of serious harm, or another situation where information is legally or ethically required to be shared. These boundaries will be explained clearly at the beginning of counselling.

Counselling is flexible and the number of sessions can vary depending on the child’s needs. During the therapy, We can talk about next steps, whether that’s continuing, taking a break or finishing counselling

Yes. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to access counselling. I can work with children and young people who are neurodivergent, or whose parents have concerns that they may be neurodivergent.

I take time to understand each child as an individual and adapt the way we work to their communication style, needs and preferences. This might include using creative activities, visual resources, movement, fidget toys or other approaches that help them feel comfortable and communicate in a way that works for them.

Counselling is not a diagnostic assessment, but I can offer a supportive space to explore the emotional and practical difficulties your child may be experiencing.

When you introduce the idea of counselling to your child, it can help to reassure them that this is a positive and supportive space where they can explore their emotions and talk about how they are feeling.

Explain that their counselling sessions are their time and their space. They can use that time in whatever way feels right for them, at their own pace, without pressure or judgement. What they talk about is private and confidential, within the usual limits of confidentiality.

It can also be helpful to reassure your child that counselling is not a punishment, they are not being “sent” because they have done something wrong, and they are not broken. Counselling is simply an opportunity to have some dedicated time and support to understand themselves, their emotions and what they may be experiencing.

Helping children and young people understand their emotions from an early age will give them valuable skills for managing their emotional wellbeing as they grow. Starting early is such an investment in their future selves.

The most helpful thing you can do is provide your child with a supportive and accepting environment at home while they have the space to work through things in counselling.

You can listen to your child when they want to talk, without pressuring them to share what they have discussed in their sessions. You can encourage them to talk about how they are feeling and let them know that they can come to you if they need support.

If there is important information that you feel I need to know, you can share this with me. Equally, if I have important concerns that I feel you need to be aware of, I can discuss these with you where appropriate.

Counselling is a collaborative process, and your role as a parent or carer is an important part of supporting your child outside of their sessions. The counselling space itself, however, remains a private and confidential space for your child.