How do I know if my child needs therapy, or just time?

If a difficulty has lasted more than a few weeks, is affecting school, sleep, friendships or family life, or your gut says something's not right — it's worth having a conversation. The free 15 min call is exactly for working this out together, with no pressure to commit.

Will you tell me what my child says in sessions?

Your child's privacy is part of what makes therapy work, especially for teens. You'll get regular updates on themes, progress and how to support things at home — but not a word-for-word account, unless there's a safeguarding concern.

What if my child doesn't want to talk?

That's completely normal, and especially common at the start. Younger children often communicate through play rather than conversation, and even reluctant teens usually find their own way in once they trust the space.

Do you work with parents too?

Yes — alongside direct work with your child, there's space for parent coaching sessions if you'd find it helpful to think through how to support things at home.

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE THERAPY

A space to be heard, understood and supported.

Therapy for children and young people to explore what's going on, build confidence and find ways forward.

Eastbourne & online across the UK

Childhood can be wonderful. It can also be complicated.

A child doesn't always have the words to explain what's going on. Sometimes feelings show up through behaviour, relationships, worries, or changes at home or school.

They might become more anxious, angry or withdrawn. They may struggle with friendships, confidence, self esteem. They might be trying to make sense of a diagnosis, illness, disability, bereavement or something that has happened to them.

Therapy provides a space where they don't have to have everything figured out first.

We can slow things down, make sense of what's happening and find ways of helping things feel more manageable.

What might bring you here?

Every child or teen is different. Here are some reasons families get in touch.

Anxiety & worry

Persistent worries, fears, uncertainty or feeling overwhelmed.

Big Feelings

Anger, frustration, tearfulness or emotions that feel difficult to understand or manage.

Confidence & self esteem

Self-doubt, feeling different or struggling to recognise strengths and positive qualities.

Friendships & relationships

Friendship difficulties, conflict, feeling left out or finding relationships difficult to navigate.

Bereavement, Grief & Loss

Coping with the death of someone important, changes in relationships, and the many different ways grief can feel.

EXPLORE SPECIALIST THERAPY

Health, disability & difference

The emotional impact of health conditions, disability, diagnosis, medical experiences and feeling different.

EXPLORE SPECIALIST THERAPY

These are examples, not a checklist. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong to get in touch.

There isn't one way to do therapy

Children communicate in lots of different ways. Talking can be part of therapy, but it doesn't have to be the whole of it. We adapt our approach around each child's age, development, communication style, interests and what they need.

Build

Play

Exploring feelings and ideas through making, building and hands-on activities.

Using play to explore, express and make sense of what's happening.

Talk

Making sense of thoughts, feelings and experiences

Create

Using creative activities when words aren't enough

Write

Journaling, drawing or writing to explore thoughts and feelings.

Role play

Practising situations, trying out new ways of doing things and building confidence.

Move

Using movement, dance or physical activity to express feelings and release tension.

A space — and a way of working — that adapts

The therapy space has been deliberately designed with different ways of working within easy reach. Creative and play-based materials are visible and accessible, while there is also plenty of room for talking, reflecting and simply being — something that can feel particularly important for teenagers and young people who aren't looking for a room full of toys.

Therapy is delivered by me, Zara O’Brien, and the space reflects the way I work: warm, down-to-earth and adaptable. There is room for humour and play alongside conversations that are sensitive, serious or difficult. Children don't have to sit still, speak perfectly or behave like they're in school. They can explore their thoughts and feelings in ways that feel natural to them, at their own pace.

Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we make things. Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes things are really hard. There is room for all of it.

Curious about who I am and how I work? You can discover more about my background, experience here

What happens next?

1 Free 15-minute call

A brief conversation about what's been happening, what you're concerned about

and whether I might be able to help.

2 Assessment

We explore your child's strengths, needs and difficulties, alongside what you would like support with.

3 Ongoing therapy

Regular 50-minute sessions tailored to your child, with progress reviewed and parent involvement agreed as appropriate.

At a glance

WHERE

Eastbourne, East Sussex Online across the UK

AGES

Children and young people aged 6–17

SESSIONS

50 minutes

FREQUENCY

Usually weekly to begin with

FEE

£65
per 50min session

Parent involvement is discussed and agreed as part of the therapeutic process.

PARENTS

Your child's privacy matters

Confidentiality and safeguarding, including the limits of confidentiality, will be explained clearly at the beginning of therapy.

Frequently asked questions

General Therapy

Not Sure What You Need?

That's completely fine! Reach out to us if you're feeling unsure, explain a little about what your concerns are and the difficulties you're facing and we will happily think it through with you.