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 Some children may know what is troubling them, while others may simply feel overwhelmed, withdrawn, frustrated or unsure how to express what they are experiencing.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