One-to-one Counselling and play-based therapy for Children

I specialise in working  with primary-aged children( 4–11)  with continuation into secondary school where appropriate.

I am an experienced child counsellor with over six years’ experience supporting children, families and primary schools. I provide counselling and play-based therapy in Hampshire primary schools and one-to-one sessions after school in West Street, Fareham.

 “I founded Create and Connect Counselling as I believe early emotional support can help shape a happier childhood and a healthier future. “

Children can struggle for all sorts of reasons. A friendship may have changed, family life may look different, they may have experienced a bereavement or school may have become more difficult. Sometimes there isn’t an obvious reason at all but you notice that your child seems more anxious, angry, withdrawn or less like themselves.

As a parent, knowing how to help isn’t always easy. With so much advice available, it can be difficult to know what your child really needs. I believe in looking beyond behaviour, understanding what may be happening underneath and giving children the opportunity to work through difficulties before they become more deeply established.

At Create and Connect Counselling, I offer a safe confidential space where children, on a one-to-one basis with myself, can explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Using an integrative approach combining play, creativity and talk therapy I help children understand emotions, build confidence and develop healthy ways of coping. Many of the children I support are autistic, have ADHD, are waiting for an assessment or are beginning to explore whether they may be neurodivergent.

School counselling is at the heart of my professional practice. I currently work as a counsellor in primary schools, supporting children with a wide range of emotional and wellbeing needs. With over six years’ experience as a primary school counsellor and seventeen years as a primary school teacher, I have a deep understanding of children’s development, emotional wellbeing and the challenges they face both inside and outside the classroom.