Child and adolescent psychotherapy supports young people to work through emotional difficulties, helping them better understand themselves and develop in a healthier way. Parents and carers play an important role in this process and can be supported alongside the child.

Children and young people who are struggling can feel overwhelmed or out of control, and may find it hard to make sense of their thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Psychotherapy offers a safe and consistent space in which a therapist builds a relationship with the child or young person, using careful observation and age-appropriate ways of working to understand what may be troubling them.

Younger children often communicate through play. By observing and making sense of this together, the therapist helps the child feel understood, which can reduce anxiety over time. For children under 5, work is often short-term and involves parent and child together, with a focus on the parent-child relationship.

Adolescents are more likely to communicate verbally, alongside non-verbal expression. Through the therapeutic relationship, they may begin to reflect on their experiences, feel less stuck, and move forward with greater confidence.

Over time, children and young people often feel more able to manage everyday challenges, concentrate better, and feel more settled within themselves.