Children
Children express emotional distress in many ways — through behaviour, play, bodily symptoms, or changes in mood. You may have noticed your child is more anxious, angry, withdrawn, or unsettled than usual. Or perhaps something just feels different, and you’re not sure why. It’s natural to feel concerned, especially when your child is struggling to tell you what’s wrong.
Understanding What Your Child Needs
Some Common Concerns Parents Bring
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Anxiety, separation fears, or clinginess
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Nightmares, sleep issues, or changes in eating
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Aggression, tantrums, or difficulty with boundaries
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Withdrawn or overly compliant behaviour
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School difficulties, including refusal or focus problems
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Reactions to trauma, loss, or family changes
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Repeated or puzzling behaviours that seem out of character
Children may not be able to explain how they feel, but their play, behaviour, and relationships can tell us a great deal. In therapy, I aim to create a consistent and sensitive environment where your child can begin to feel safe enough to explore and express what’s going on inside.
Depending on your child’s age and needs, sessions may involve play, drawing, talking, or simply being alongside them in a way that helps them feel understood. Regular parent sessions are also offered, where we can think together about your child’s needs and how best to support them.
Therapy offers a safe and containing space where emotional difficulties can be explored and understood. Through careful observation, play, and attuned listening, I help children make sense of their experiences — even the ones they don’t yet have words for.
I work with children from infancy up to age 12, drawing on specialist training in child development, attachment, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I also work closely with parents and carers, who play an essential role in understanding and supporting a child’s emotional world.
If you’re wondering whether therapy could help your child, I offer a free 20-minute consultation. We can talk through your concerns and consider the best way forward — whether that involves direct work with your child, support for you as a parent, or both.
Clinics in Ayrshire, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. In-person and online sessions are available (depending on the child’s age and circumstances).