What is Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy?

Children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties may respond to situations or relationships in ways they do not fully understand or cannot easily manage. Their emotions can be overwhelming and are often expressed through behaviour or challenges in forming and maintaining relationships.

A child and adolescent psychotherapist provides a safe, therapeutic space where trust can grow. Through age-appropriate approaches and careful observation, the therapist seeks to understand both verbal and non-verbal communication, helping the child or young person make sense of their feelings, behaviours, and experiences. The focus is on exploring underlying patterns and root causes, rather than only the surface behaviours.

Over time, children learn to put feelings of confusion, fear, hurt, or anger into words rather than acting them out. This enables them to express themselves in healthier ways and to reconnect with their natural capacity for growth and development. As a result, many feel calmer, more confident in learning, and better able to enjoy and sustain friendships.

Psychotherapy for children

I use a playful, child-led approach, recognising play as a natural and powerful way for children to explore their thoughts, feelings, and lived experiences. Through play, they can better understand and manage their emotions, gaining a greater sense of control and confidence. For children who have not yet developed the capacity to play, fostering this ability becomes an important part of the early therapeutic work.

Throughout the therapeutic process, I pay close attention to what is on the child’s mind, what they express through play, their behaviour, and how they communicate both verbally and non-verbally. I also take into account their stage of development and how they connect and relate with me as their therapist. These observations help me understand the child’s inner world and guide the therapeutic process in a way that supports their emotional growth and well-being.

Parents remain actively involved at every stage, as collaboration is key to supporting the child’s progress and ensuring they feel safe and supported both in and outside the therapy room.

Psychotherapy for adolescents

Adolescence is a unique stage of development, shaped by the constant push and pull between childhood and adulthood. Having a safe, non-judgmental space is essential for young people to express and explore their thoughts and feelings.

In therapy, the psychotherapist listens with care and works collaboratively to make sense of the adolescent’s experiences. By encouraging self-reflection and an increased awareness of their own thoughts and feelings, the therapist helps nurture a stronger and more authentic sense of self.

Within this supportive environment, confusing or difficult emotions can be understood and managed more effectively. This allows the young person to gain insight into their challenges, develop resilience, and take meaningful steps toward a more positive future.

Common issues I work with

• Anxiety and worries: fears about school, social anxiety, general excessive worrying.
  
• Gender identity difficulties: some young people experience confusion or distress related to their gender identity or sexual orientation. This might involve questions about who they are, how they express themselves, or how others perceive them. I provide a safe and affirming space to explore these feelings without judgment.
  
• Attachment issues and relationship difficulties: children and teenagers may struggle to form secure and trusting relationships, often due to early life experiences or disruptions in care. This can affect their ability to connect with caregivers, teachers, or peers. Therapy can support them in building healthier emotional bonds and understanding their relational needs.
  
• Behavioural struggles at home/and or school: this can include anger outbursts, frequent arguments, defiance, or emotional shutdowns. In school, it may look like a drop in grades, school refusal, difficulty focusing, or conflict with teachers. I work with children and families to understand the root causes and develop practical strategies to support change.
  
• The lasting effects of trauma, neglect or abuse: traumatic experiences, especially those that happen in childhood, can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects. Children may become hypervigilant, withdrawn, aggressive, or anxious. I offer a trauma-informed approach to help children process these experiences safely and begin to heal.
  
• Emotional and Developmental Difficulties: this may include difficulties with emotional regulation, delayed developmental milestones, or struggles with daily tasks. Therapy can support the child in building resilience, managing frustration, and improving independence and confidence.
  
• Distressed and troubled children: some children may not have a clear diagnosis or issue but still show signs of being overwhelmed, unsettled, or emotionally troubled. Therapy offers a consistent, safe relationship where these feelings can be explored and understood.
  
• Tensions in family relationships: significant changes in the family, such as parental separation or divorce, a new sibling, moving house, or relocation to a new country or school, can cause emotional strain. Children might react with anxiety, confusion, anger, or sadness. I help families and children navigate these transitions together.
  
• Social communication difficulties, including autism: some children and young people may find it harder to pick up on social cues, express themselves clearly, or build friendships. This can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, or misunderstandings with others. Therapy can provide support in developing communication skills, confidence, and self-understanding, while also offering parents strategies to nurture their child’s social growth.
  
• Depression, low mood, and lack of motivation: children or teens who seem persistently sad, withdrawn, or irritable. Perhaps your teenager has lost interest in things they used to enjoy, or your child cries often and you are not sure why.
  
• Bullying and social difficulties: children who are being bullied, have trouble making or keeping friends, or feel like they don’t fit in. Alternatively, some young people have trouble managing their own aggression or conflicts with peers. Therapy can help them build social confidence, communication skills, and emotional resilience.
  
• Risk-taking and self-harm, suicidal thoughts: some teens cope with pain by hurting themselves (cutting, for instance) or by risky behaviors. I provide a safe space to talk about these behaviors without judgment and work on healthier coping strategies.
  
• Angry outbursts and tantrums: Frequent emotional explosions, whether in young children or older teens can signal underlying stress, frustration, or unmet emotional needs. Therapy can help children better understand and regulate their emotions, while also supporting parents in responding effectively.
  
• Neurodevelopmental and emotional disorders: I have experience supporting young people with ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, eating disorders, OCD, and other specific diagnoses. Therapy can complement other interventions by addressing the emotional impact of these conditions.