Children & teenagers
Gentle help for growing minds
Childhood and the teenage years can be wonderful, and genuinely hard. When a young person is anxious, low or overwhelmed, calm and patient support can make all the difference.
Twenty years in education. Connection is key.
Why families choose me
Two decades alongside young people
Alongside my therapy work, I spent more than twenty years working in education as a teacher and department lead, and a decade of that supporting children and teenagers with social, emotional and mental health needs, using a trauma-informed approach.
That means I've sat with a lot of worried young people, and a lot of worried parents. I know the importance of connection and creating a space where a child feels listened to and never judged. And I know that when a young person feels understood, change becomes so much more possible.
As well as being Solution Focused, my work is informed by Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), an approach that helps strengthen secure, trusting relationships between children and their caregivers. Developed by Dr Dan Hughes, DDP is especially supportive for young people who've experienced early trauma, neglect, or disruptions in attachment, offering a safe foundation for healing and connection.
years in education
years trauma-informed practice
specialist background
specialist training in working with young people
“If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.”
– Muhammad Ali
How I can help
What young people come to see me about
Every young person is different, and we always begin where they are. Some of the things I'm often asked about:
Anxiety & worry
Calming a busy, frightened mind so the world feels a bit more manageable again.
School & EBSA
Help with the stress around school, friendships, exams and getting through the gates.
About EBSAConfidence & self-esteem
Building a kinder inner voice and the quiet confidence to be themselves.
Sleep & overwhelm
Settling racing thoughts at night and easing the feeling that everything's too much.
Friendships & feelings
Navigating the social ups and downs that can feel enormous when you're young.
Exams & pressure
Turning nervous energy into calm, steady focus for the moments that matter.
Some of the other areas I support young people with: stress and anxiety; EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance); self-esteem; performance anxiety and stress around exams; tics and speech-related difficulties including situational mutism; trauma; big feelings; navigating school, family and friendships; sleep; mental health concerns; body image; phobias; OCD; chronic pain; TCK (Third Culture Kids); and separation anxiety. This isn’t an exhaustive list, so please do get in touch if there’s something on your mind that isn’t here.
How it works
How sessions work
Everything is gentle, and we explain it as we go. Nothing is a surprise, and your child is always in control of what happens.
A first chat with you
We begin with a phone call, just the two of us, so I can understand what has been happening and get a feel for where things are right now.
An initial consultation
This can be with you, or with your child too. We get to know each other a little more, map out how sessions will work, and talk through how the brain works in a way that is easy to follow.
The sessions that follow
With just your young person, we talk about how the week has gone, then build a picture of how they would like things to feel and the small steps that get them there.
Understanding how the mind works is a key part of the process, and something we come back to each session. The word neuroscience can sound daunting, but clients tell me that having it explained our way makes it really accessible, and empowering, helping them understand why we feel and behave the way we do. I adapt how I explain the brain to each child’s age and stage, and create a safe space where it is easy to talk and ask questions, or to say very little, if that is where they are.
It is natural for young people to focus on what has not gone well, which can lead to worrying about the future, something we call negative forecasting. We do not dig into or dwell on the difficult things. We always acknowledge them, but our focus stays on desired outcomes, and through guided relaxation we gently strengthen the pathways that help that change take hold. I will often finish the initial consultation with a short relaxation, too, and give your child an MP3 to listen to in between.
A gentle question
What is trance?
Trance, or guided relaxation, takes place at the end of each session. A child can relax in the chair or lie down on the couch, and younger children often prefer to sit and play with Lego or do some colouring. The main thing is simply that they are relaxed.
We all drift into a trance state many times a day, when we are daydreaming, walking a familiar route, or even gaming. In this relaxed state, the subconscious mind, the part responsible for our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and habits, is more open to ideas and can begin to take on small changes.
A state of trance is perfectly safe, and it certainly cannot be imposed on anyone. Children feel very much that they could get up and leave at any point if they needed to.
Sessions, simply
Sessions usually last around 50 minutes to an hour, though the first consultation may be a little longer. The number of sessions varies from child to child, and we talk that through together at the start.
We can meet in person or online. In person, you can see me in Crews Hole, BS5, or at The Clifton Practice, BS8.
For parents & carers
You're part of this, too
When your child is struggling, it weighs on the whole family. I'll keep you gently involved and informed, while always protecting your young person's trust and privacy.
- We start with a free chat, parent-to-therapist, before involving your child
- A calm, age-appropriate approach, nothing strange, nothing forced
- Simple things you can do at home to support the work between sessions
A note on comfort
Young people do best when they feel they have a say. There's never any pressure. We move at your child's pace, and they're always in control of what happens. How much you hear back as a parent, and in what way, is something we agree together at our first consultation. My only aim is for your child to leave feeling a little lighter than when they arrived.
Where we're heading
The picture we build together
The aim of our sessions is to work towards whatever goal or preferred future will allow your child to live their best life, feeling able to deal with the challenges that day-to-day life brings in an emotionally regulated and secure way.
Growing up, at whatever age, can be hard. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy gives the structured support that allows a young person to move forward feeling lighter and in control.
Wondering if this could help your child?
Let's talk it through. A free 15-minute chat with me, no pressure, no jargon, is the easiest first step.