Child & Teen Counselling

As parents, it can be difficult to know how best to support our children emotionally. Often, we sense that something is wrong, yet struggle to understand what our child truly needs or is trying to express.

For children, play is a natural and powerful way of exploring their inner world. Through role-play, art, and creative activities, children are able to express emotions, work through challenges, and experiment with different ways of coping and problem-solving.

You may notice your child appearing sad, disruptive, rebellious, or overwhelmed, or struggling with focus and attention in the classroom. While children may not yet have the words to explain how they feel, play allows them to communicate safely and meaningfully.

Play therapy provides a supportive space where children can process emotional difficulties, build resilience, and develop healthy ways of understanding themselves, others, and the world around them. Supporting children’s mental health early is vital, and play therapy offers a gentle yet effective way to help them grow, heal, and thrive.

Children often communicate through play and creativity before they can explain their experiences in words.

My postgraduate training in Therapeutic Play Skills allows me to incorporate developmentally appropriate play and creative approaches alongside counselling.

Sessions are tailored to your child's age, personality and individual needs.

Teenagers often need somewhere they can speak openly without feeling judged or pressured.

Counselling can provide a confidential and supportive space to explore emotions, relationships, anxiety, identity, school pressures and other challenges.

Teenage counselling is available face-to-face in Karaka and online throughout New Zealand.

Parents and caregivers are an important part of supporting a young person's wellbeing.

Where appropriate, I work collaboratively with parents while also respecting the young person's privacy and therapeutic relationship.

We can discuss what level of parental involvement is most appropriate depending on your child's age, needs and circumstances.