Child & Adolescent Therapy

It’s completely natural to wonder whether your child’s struggles are part of typical development or something that may benefit from support. Many children experience emotional ups and downs, but if these difficulties persist, intensify, or begin to affect daily life — at home, school, or in relationships, professional support can be helpful and make a meaningful difference. Common signs include low mood, anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, behavioural changes, school refusal, or challenges following major life events like divorce, loss, or transitions. You don’t have to be certain — our consultation call offers a safe space to explore what’s going on and whether therapy is appropriate.

We begin with a 20-minute video consultation with a parent or caregiver to understand your concerns and assess whether REST is a good fit. If we proceed, your psychologist will carry out assessment sessions, these may involve time with you as parents, your child individually (where age-appropriate), or both. The aim is to build a full picture of your child’s emotional world, relationships, and any contextual factors contributing to their difficulties. After the assessment, we’ll offer a clear formulation and therapy plan, tailored to your child’s needs.

Our psychologists work with a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns. These may include anxiety, low mood, emotional regulation difficulties, school stress or refusal, bereavement, family transitions, trauma, sensory processing needs, and questions around identity or self-esteem. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach — each child is seen as an individual with their own story, culture, and strengths.

Therapy approaches vary depending on the developmental stage. Younger children might engage in play therapy or creative activities that help them express emotions indirectly. Adolescents benefit from more conversation-based therapies. In all cases, we adapt our approach to suit your child’s developmental level, cultural background, and presenting difficulties — while keeping sessions warm, safe, and engaging.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting a child’s therapeutic journey. The level of involvement depends on the child’s age, developmental stage, and the nature of their difficulties.

For younger children, parent involvement is typically more active. The assessment process usually includes two parts: an initial session with parents or caregivers to understand the concerns and context, followed by time with the child. After assessment, your psychologist will make a clinical recommendation about the best course of support—this may involve direct work with your child, sessions with you as parents, or a combination of both.

When working with adolescents, the process may look different. Due to their stage of development, there is often a greater need for autonomy and privacy in the therapy space. However, we still aim to work collaboratively with parents where appropriate—offering updates, support, and guidance while maintaining the young person’s trust and therapeutic boundaries.

Our goal is always to build a strong therapeutic alliance with both the child and their caregivers, ensuring consistency and safety across home and therapeutic environments.

The number of sessions your child will need depends on several factors, including the nature of their difficulties, their goals, and how they engage with the therapeutic process. In some cases, particularly when working on a specific issue, a shorter-term approach of around 12 sessions may be appropriate. In other situations, your child may benefit from a longer-term therapeutic relationship that unfolds over several months or a year.

Following the initial assessment, your psychologist will recommend a tailored therapy plan that reflects your child’s needs. We regularly review progress with you to ensure that therapy continues to be relevant, meaningful, and supportive of your child’s development.

Yes. All sessions at REST are currently delivered remotely via secure video platforms. Our clinicians are experienced in providing online therapy that is age-appropriate, engaging, and clinically effective. For younger children, we may use interactive activities such as drawing, storytelling, to help them feel comfortable and express themselves. For older children and adolescents, online sessions can be especially helpful when managing busy schedules, mobility needs, or geographical distance. We take care to adapt our approach to each child’s developmental stage, ensuring therapy remains a safe and meaningful space, even when delivered virtually.

Yes, with your consent, we can collaborate with schools, GPs, or other professionals involved in your child’s care. This may include sharing feedback, attending meetings, or supporting transitions. Working across systems often helps ensure consistency and can strengthen the support your child receives beyond therapy.