Through my years of experience working with kids, teens, and families, I have developed my approach to include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Strengths-Based Therapy (SFT). My clinical training and experience have also allowed me to develop creative and expressive techniques using art and play therapy, which are essential tools in working with young people. Play is the natural language of children—it’s how they learn, express emotions, and make sense of their world. By integrating these approaches, I provide a tailored and engaging therapeutic experience that helps children and teenagers navigate anxiety, OCD, low mood, and other emotional challenges in a way that fosters resilience and long-term well-being.
The Role of Art and Play in Therapy
Art and play are powerful therapeutic tools, especially when working with children. Young people don’t always have the words to express their emotions, but through creative activities and play, they can communicate their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels natural and safe.
How Art Therapy Helps
Art therapy allows children and teens to explore their emotions through drawing, painting, clay work, collage, or other creative mediums. It can help them:
- Express feelings they may struggle to verbalize.
- Process difficult experiences or trauma in a non-threatening way.
- Build self-esteem and confidence through creative expression.
- Reduce anxiety and stress by engaging in mindful and soothing activities.
The Importance of Play in Therapy
Play is the language of children. It’s how they learn, process emotions, and make sense of the world. In therapy, play can be used to:
- Create a safe and relaxed environment for children to express themselves.
- Help children process emotions and work through fears.
- Strengthen problem-solving and coping skills.
- Improve social skills and emotional regulation through role-playing and storytelling.
By incorporating art and play into therapy, I create a space where children and young people feel comfortable to explore their emotions, develop resilience, and build self-awareness in a way that aligns with their natural ways of learning and expressing themselves.
The truth is, therapy isn’t about forcing a child to “fix” something—it’s about helping them develop the skills to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. Each of these therapy approaches brings something unique to the table, and often, a combination of them is the most effective way to support young people in managing their emotions and overcoming difficulties.
Let’s explore what each of these therapies is, how they work, and why they can be so helpful for children and teens.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and well-researched therapies for young people. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea is that negative thinking patterns can create distressing emotions and lead to unhelpful behaviors. By identifying and challenging these thought patterns, children and teens can learn to shift their perspectives and develop healthier ways of coping.
CBT is especially useful for anxiety, OCD, depression, and general emotional difficulties. It provides practical tools that kids and teens can use in their everyday lives, such as:
- Learning to recognize negative or anxious thoughts and question their accuracy.
- Understanding how their behavior impacts their emotions and vice versa.
- Using problem-solving strategies to manage stress and difficult situations.
CBT is often structured and goal-oriented, making it a great choice for young people who like clear strategies and actionable steps.
What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?
ERP is a specialized form of CBT and is considered the gold standard for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It works by gradually exposing children and teens to situations that trigger their obsessive thoughts while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions.
For example, if a child has contamination OCD and feels the need to wash their hands repeatedly, ERP would involve helping them touch a doorknob and not immediately wash their hands. Over time, their brain learns that the anxiety decreases on its own, without needing to engage in compulsions.
ERP can feel scary at first, but with the right support, it helps kids and teens break free from OCD’s grip and take back control of their lives. It teaches them that they don’t have to listen to the anxious voice in their head—they are stronger than their fears.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Unlike traditional CBT, which focuses on changing thoughts, ACT helps young people accept their emotions rather than fight them. Many kids and teens struggle with difficult thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t handle this.” Instead of trying to argue with those thoughts, ACT teaches them to see thoughts as just words in their head—not facts.
Some key aspects of ACT include:
- Psychological flexibility: Helping young people accept difficult emotions while still taking meaningful actions.
- Mindfulness: Encouraging present-moment awareness to reduce over-identification with distressing thoughts.
- Values-based living: Helping kids and teens figure out what really matters to them and take action towards their goals, even when anxiety is present.
ACT is great for children and teens who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, or overthinking. Instead of getting stuck in their thoughts, they learn to step back, focus on what they care about, and move forward with courage.
What is Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)?
Some children and teens are extremely self-critical, often saying things like “I’m a failure” or “I’m not good enough.” Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is designed to help them develop self-kindness instead of self-judgment. It’s especially helpful for kids and teens who struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, or shame.
CFT teaches young people that their brain is wired to focus on threats and negativity, but they can train themselves to be kinder and more compassionate towards themselves. Some of the techniques include:
- Self-compassion exercises: Learning to talk to themselves the way they would talk to a good friend.
- Understanding the brain’s emotional systems: Recognizing how the “threat system” (anxiety) takes over and learning how to activate the “soothing system” (self-compassion).
- Compassionate imagery: Using visualization exercises to cultivate a sense of safety and kindness.
For kids and teens who constantly put themselves down, CFT helps them build a more positive and supportive inner voice.
Taking a Strengths-Based Approach
One of the most important things to remember is that kids and teens are not defined by their struggles. A strengths-based approach focuses on what they’re good at, what makes them unique, and what gives them a sense of purpose—rather than just looking at what’s “wrong.”
When therapy focuses on strengths, it helps young people see that they already have the tools within them to cope with life’s challenges. It’s not about “fixing” them—it’s about helping them recognize their own resilience and potential.
Supporting Kids & Teens with a Personalised Approach
EEvery child is unique, and therapy should be tailored to their individual needs. Rather than choosing just one method, I integrate a range of evidence-based approaches, including:
- ERP to help children and teens gradually face fears and break free from compulsions.
- ACT to develop psychological flexibility, self-awareness, and values-based living.
- CBT to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and build resilience.
- CFT to nurture self-compassion and reduce shame and self-criticism.
- Creative interventions like art and play therapy to make therapy engaging and accessible.
By blending these approaches, therapy becomes a personalised and dynamic process that supports each child’s growth in a way that feels right for them.
Moving Forward
If your child is struggling with anxiety, OCD, low mood, or emotional challenges, therapy can help them gain the tools they need to navigate life with confidence. They don’t have to fight their thoughts or emotions—they just need the right strategies to work with them, not against them.
I am a BACP-registered Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counsellor based in West London, Chelsea. My approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help children and teens manage their mental health while building resilience and self-compassion. I provide private therapy for kids and teens online across the UK and worldwide. If you’d like to learn more about how I can support your child, feel free to get in touch.