Child & young person counsellor
Counselling for children & young people
Helping children and young people feel heard, understood and supported
Seeing your child struggle can be difficult.
You may have noticed changes in their behaviour, mood, friendships, sleep or confidence. Perhaps they are becoming anxious, withdrawn or angry, struggling at school, or finding it difficult to explain what's happening for them.
Sometimes you know your child isn't themselves, but you're not sure how to help.
You don't have to work it out on your own.
I offer a warm, safe and creative space where children and young people can explore their feelings, make sense of what's happening and develop ways of coping that work for them.
I have 25 years' experience working with children and young people, including children of different ages, abilities and neurodivergent needs.
Based at The Reiki Room in Acle, Norfolk . Face-to-Face . Online where appropriate
Why parents choose Pip
25 years' experience working with children and young people
Qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Accredited Children & Young People's Therapist
Creative and play-based approaches
Trauma-informed
Experience supporting neurodivergent clients
“I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.”
Georgia O'Keefe
Sometimes children can't find the words
Children and young people don't always communicate their feelings in the same way adults do.
What looks like anger, withdrawal, challenging behaviour, poor concentration or refusing to go to school may sometimes be a way of communicating that something isn't right.
They may not know how to explain what they're feeling — or they may not feel ready to talk about it.
That's why I use a creative and child-centred approach.
Through talking, play, art, sand tray work and other creative techniques, children can find different ways to express what is happening for them.
They don't have to find all the words.
What if they won't talk?
This is one of the biggest worries parents have.
You may think:
“They won't tell me what's wrong.”
“They won't talk to a counsellor.”
“They'll just sit there and say nothing.”
That's okay.
I don't expect a child or young person to sit in front of me and immediately explain everything they are feeling.
Building trust comes first.
I give them time to get comfortable and offer different ways to communicate, depending on their age, personality and needs.
Sometimes talking helps.
Sometimes drawing helps.
Sometimes play helps.
Sometimes simply having a safe person who listens without judgement is the starting point.
There is no pressure to talk before they are ready.
A creative approach
I use creative techniques including:
🎨 Art
Drawing and creative activities can provide another way to express thoughts and feelings when words are difficult.
🧸 Play
Play can help younger children communicate, explore experiences and make sense of their emotions in a way that feels natural to them.
🏖️ Sand tray
Sand tray work can offer children and young people a safe way to represent experiences, relationships and feelings.
💬 Talking
As trust develops, talking can become an important part of understanding thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Creative counselling isn't about being good at art.
It's about finding a way to communicate that feels right for the individual child.
A gentle, child-centred approach
I use P.A.C.E — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy — alongside creative therapeutic approaches.
This helps me build a relationship where a child or young person can feel accepted and understood rather than judged.
I'll be curious about what's happening for them rather than simply focusing on the behaviour.
Together, we'll explore what might be underneath the feelings and behaviours and develop strategies that can help them feel more able to cope.
Supporting your child while respecting their space
As a parent or carer, you may understandably want to know what's being discussed in sessions.
At the same time, children and young people need to know that counselling is a safe space where they can speak openly.
I'll explain confidentiality and its boundaries clearly at the beginning, in an age-appropriate way.
I'll work collaboratively with you as a parent or carer, while also respecting your child's need for privacy and independence.
If there are concerns about their safety or wellbeing, these will always be addressed appropriately and in line with safeguarding responsibilities.
My aim is to support the whole picture — your child, you and the wider family.
What can counselling help with?
I support children and young people experiencing difficulties including:
Anxiety & worry
Helping them understand anxious feelings and develop ways to cope.
Low confidence & self-esteem
Supporting them to develop a kinder and more positive relationship with themselves.
Anger & emotional regulation
Exploring what may be underneath strong emotions and finding safer ways to express them.
Grief & loss
Providing a safe space to make sense of difficult feelings following a loss or significant change.
Trauma & difficult experiences
Supporting children and young people who have experienced something frightening, upsetting or overwhelming.
School difficulties
Helping explore anxiety, friendships, bullying, attendance and other challenges affecting school life.
Neurodivergence
Offering an accepting approach that recognises individual communication, sensory and emotional needs.
Family changes
Supporting children through separation, family difficulties or other significant changes.
What does the first session look like?
The first step doesn't have to be your child sitting down and immediately talking about everything.
We'll start gently.
Depending on their age and needs, the first session may involve getting to know each other, exploring what they enjoy, looking around the therapy space or using a creative activity.
Building trust is part of the therapy.
I'll never expect a child to disclose something simply because it is their first session.
How long are sessions?
The length and frequency of sessions will depend on your child's age, needs and circumstances.
We'll discuss this during the initial consultation and make sure you understand how we'll work together before sessions begin.
Sessions may be weekly or fortnightly depending on what is appropriate.
A safe space at The Reiki Room, Acle
I work from The Reiki Room in Acle, Norfolk, where children and young people can have a calm, welcoming space away from the pressures of everyday life.
The environment allows us to use talking, creative activities and play as appropriate.
I also offer online counselling where appropriate, particularly for older young people.
Worried about your child?
You don't need to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for support.
And you don't need to be certain that counselling is the answer.
If you've noticed that something has changed and you're not sure what to do next, we can simply have a conversation.
Free 15–20 minute initial consultation
This gives us an opportunity to talk about what's happening, ask questions and discuss whether counselling might be helpful for your child.
There's no obligation to continue.
You can contact me even if you're unsure.
Or simply send me a message.
You don't have to have all the answers. We can work it out together.