Child Consultations

When big feelings show up as behaviour

Children often express stress through behaviour rather than words. What looks like defiance, withdrawal, clinginess or meltdowns may be a nervous system that feels overloaded.

It can look like: -

Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts
Difficulty separating from parents
Trouble sleeping
Heightened sensitivity to change
Rigid thinking or difficulty coping when things don’t go to plan
Aggression or shutdown responses
Worry that shows up physically (tummy aches, headaches)

How Therapy Helps

With children, I work through: -

Emotional literacy and regulation skills
Building resilience and flexibility
Supporting parents with practical strategies
Strengthening the parent-child relationship
Helping children feel safe and understood

When children feel safer in their bodies and emotions, behaviour naturally becomes more manageable.

What Sessions Look Like

Children communicate through play, drawing and activity as much as words.

Initial sessions focus on: -

Helping your child feel safe and understood
Observing emotional patterns
Gently building emotional language
Introducing regulation tools in age-appropriate ways

Parent involvement is an important part of the process. Practical strategies are shared so that skills learned in sessions can be reinforced at home. The goal is to reduce distress and strengthen your child’s ability to manage big feelings over time.

Next Step

Parents can: -

Contact the practice to discuss your child’s needs
Book an initial assessment session
Speak with your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan

Early support can make a meaningful difference.