Kids and Child Counselling
Kids and child counselling provides children with a safe and supportive space to explore their emotions, build confidence and develop practical skills for managing challenges in everyday life. At Calming Paws Therapy, counselling is tailored to each child's age, personality, strengths, interests and individual needs. As a child counsellor, I focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where children feel heard, understood and supported.
Who is kids and child counselling for?
Kids and child counselling may be helpful for children who are finding certain emotions, situations or changes difficult to navigate. Some children may know what is troubling them, while others may simply feel overwhelmed, withdrawn, frustrated or unsure how to express what they are experiencing.
Counselling can provide children with a safe space to explore what is happening, develop a better understanding of themselves and build confidence in managing challenges at home, at school and in their relationships.
Children do not need to have a diagnosis or a specific problem to benefit from counselling. Sometimes they simply need a supportive space to talk, create, play and make sense of their experiences.
What concerns can kids and child counselling support?
Kids and child therapy services can support a range of emotional, social and wellbeing concerns, including anxiety and worries, difficulties managing big emotions and emotional regulation, confidence and self-esteem, friendship and social difficulties, behavioural concerns, school-related challenges and school avoidance, family changes and significant life transitions, as well as developing resilience and practical coping skills.
For children experiencing ongoing worries that are affecting their everyday life, child anxiety therapy can provide a supportive space to understand their worries, recognise how anxiety affects them and develop practical strategies for managing anxious feelings.
Counselling may also support children navigating neurodiversity or other experiences that are affecting their emotional wellbeing, relationships or engagement at home or school.
What might a session look like?
Sessions are 50 minutes and individually tailored to each child. Depending on their age, needs and interests, sessions may include therapeutic conversation, drawing, creative activities, games, storytelling, movement, play, problem-solving or practical strategies.
Children do not need to sit and talk about their feelings for an entire session. For some children, talking comes naturally, while others may communicate more comfortably through play, creativity or shared activities.
Where appropriate, Winnie may also be incorporated into counselling sessions, providing another way for children to engage and connect.
My counselling approach
My approach is child-centred, strengths-based and collaborative. I work at each child's pace and consider their strengths, interests, relationships, experiences and the environments in which they live and learn.
With more than 11 years of experience working in primary education, I bring an understanding of children's development, school environments and the factors that can influence wellbeing, behaviour and engagement.
The goal is to help children develop greater self-awareness, emotional understanding, confidence and practical coping skills they can use in everyday life.
What can parents expect?
Before counselling begins, we will discuss your child's individual needs, current challenges and what you hope counselling will support. This helps me understand your child's circumstances and consider an approach that is appropriate for them.
Parents are an important part of the counselling process. Where appropriate, I provide general feedback and practical suggestions to help support your child outside of sessions, while respecting their privacy and confidentiality.
Kids and Child Counselling FAQ’s
-
I work with children from the early years through to young adolescence, including children who have not yet started school. Each child's individual needs, developmental stage and circumstances are considered when determining whether counselling is appropriate.
-
Yes, where appropriate, Winnie may be included in counselling sessions to help your child feel more comfortable and engaged in the process. For some children, having Winnie nearby can help them settle into the session, build trust and feel more at ease in a new environment. Her presence can also create opportunities for connection and provide a different way for children to explore their feelings and experiences without relying entirely on conversation.
Winnie’s involvement is always guided by your child’s individual needs, therapeutic goals and comfort level. There is no expectation for your child to interact with her, and they can choose whether they would like her to be involved. Counselling remains focused on your child and what they need, with Winnie included when her presence may be helpful.
-
It is difficult to know when a child’s worries cross the line into needing extra support. You might notice they are constantly overthinking, avoiding certain places, clinging to you more than usual, or suddenly struggling to sleep. If these anxious feelings are starting to get in the way of their school day, their friendships, or just enjoying life, it is worth looking into counselling. You don’t have to wait until things reach a breaking point to reach out.
Counselling can help children understand their worries and learn practical ways to manage their anxiety when it feels overwhelming. Every child is different, so the approach is tailored to their age, personality and individual needs. The aim isn’t to take away all their worries, but to help them feel more confident in managing them.
-
Some children find it difficult to understand and manage their emotions, and can become overwhelmed before they know how to express what they're feeling. They might become upset quickly, have trouble calming down, or struggle to explain what's bothering them. Learning to manage big emotions takes time, and some children need a little extra support as they develop these skills.
Counselling can help children recognise their emotions, understand what might trigger them and find ways to manage their feelings. This doesn't always mean sitting down and talking. Depending on the child, sessions might involve games, drawing, art or other creative activities to help them explore their feelings in a way that feels comfortable. The aim isn't to stop children from feeling angry, sad or frustrated, but to help them understand their emotions and learn ways to respond when things feel overwhelming.
-
It can be hard to watch your child doubt themselves, shy away from new experiences or worry about getting things wrong. They might be concerned about what others think, afraid of making mistakes or hesitant to try something new. Over time, these worries can affect their willingness to give things a go and enjoy new experiences. Counselling can provide a supportive space for children to explore these feelings and begin to develop a more positive view of themselves.
Through counselling, children can learn to recognise their strengths, work through self-doubt and find ways to manage setbacks. Depending on their age, interests and needs, sessions might involve talking, games, drawing or other creative activities. Building confidence takes time, but the aim is to help children feel more comfortable with who they are and more confident in trying new things, even when they feel unsure.
-
Family separation can be a lot for a child to process, and it can take time for them to adjust to the changes. You might notice your child becoming upset, anxious or withdrawn, while others might show their feelings through changes in behaviour. Moving between homes, adjusting to new routines or worrying about how their parents are coping can all be difficult for children to navigate. Every child responds differently, and understanding what they are experiencing can help you work out how best to support them.
Counselling can provide a safe, supportive space for children to explore their feelings and make sense of what's happening, at their own pace. They don't need to know exactly what to say or how they feel before they start. Depending on their age and needs, sessions might involve play, drawing, creative activities or conversation. Parents can also be supported in understanding their child's experience and finding ways to help them feel safe and secure as they adjust to the changes in family life.
-
It’s not unusual for children to feel unsure about counselling, particularly if they don’t know what to expect or feel uncomfortable talking to someone new. Some might be reluctant to attend, while others may not feel that they need help. Having an open conversation about what counselling involves and giving them the opportunity to ask questions can be a helpful place to start, without making them feel pressured.
Counselling is often more helpful when a child feels comfortable and has some say in the decision. They don’t need to be completely on board with the idea or know exactly what they want to talk about, but feeling involved in the process can make a difference. If your child is unsure, take the time to understand their concerns and talk about what might help them feel more comfortable. Finding an approach that suits their needs and personality can help them feel more at ease with the idea of counselling.
-
Absolutely. Some children find it difficult to put their feelings into words or may feel uncomfortable talking about what's bothering them. This doesn't mean counselling can't help. Children express themselves in different ways, and finding an approach that suits them can help them feel more comfortable and build trust over time.
Counselling doesn't always involve sitting down and talking. Depending on your child's age, interests and needs, sessions might include games, drawing, painting, craft or spending time with Winnie. These activities can give children different ways to express themselves and explore their feelings without the pressure of having to find the right words. Sessions are guided by your child's needs and comfort level, allowing them to engage in a way that feels natural to them.
-
Calming Paws Therapy provides kids and child counselling in Melbourne's Bayside area, including Highett, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, Black Rock, Beaumaris, Moorabbin and Cheltenham.
If you're wondering whether kids and child counselling could be a good fit for your child, I'd be happy to have an initial conversation with you. Get in touch to discuss your child's needs and whether Calming Paws Therapy may be suitable.
