How do I know if my child might benefit from counselling?

If you’re worried about your child and wondering if counselling could help, you’re not alone. I’m Jess — a child and young people’s counsellor in Manchester — and I work with families who want calm, steady support without judgement. Here are the signs I see most often, plus simple next steps.

Common signs (in plain English)

• Big feelings that feel “stuck” — frequent tears, anger, or worry that doesn’t pass after the moment.
• Changes at school — drop in concentration, avoiding lessons, more calls home.
• Sleep or appetite shifts — trouble falling asleep, early waking, nightmares, or eating much more/less.
• Withdrawing from friends or interests — losing joy in things they used to love.
• Lots of tummy aches or headaches — bodies often hold stress for children.
• Life changes — separation, bereavement, new school, friendship issues, or illness in the family.

None of these automatically mean your child “needs therapy”. They’re simply signals saying, “Something’s hard right now.” Counselling creates a safe place to explore that.

What counselling for children looks like with me

I use an integrative, child-centred approach. That means I adapt to your child rather than squeezing them into a method. Sessions may include:

• Play and creativity (drawing, games, stories) to help children express feelings without pressure.
• Gentle coping tools they can practise between sessions (breathing, grounding, naming feelings).
• Steady routines — Ideally the same time (if possible), same space where your child feels safe and understood.

I keep parents in the loop with brief check-ins while protecting your child’s privacy. We go at your child’s pace.

When to consider counselling now

• Your child’s distress lasts more than a few weeks.
• It starts impacting daily life — school, friendships, sleep.
• You’ve tried home strategies and still feel stuck.
• There’s been a big change (bereavement, separation, move, new sibling) and they’re struggling.

What you can try at home (today)

• Name feelings, not behaviour: “It looks like you’re feeling really angry” rather than “Stop that.”
• One-to-one time: 10–15 minutes of undivided attention, let them lead the activity.
• Small routines: predictable bedtime steps; a visual morning checklist.
• Slow breathing together: in for 4, out for 6, feeling feet on the floor.
• Limit fixes, increase listening: curious questions — “What was the hardest bit of today?”

What happens next if you contact me

• Free 15-minute call to hear what’s going on and answer questions.
• First session focused on comfort and safety (see the post below for details).
• A simple plan for support that fits your child and your week.