Who I Help
Children come to Drawing Comfort for many different reasons.
Every child communicates differently, but behaviour is often their way of telling us that something doesn't feel right.
Sometimes children become angry.
Sometimes they become quiet.
Sometimes they withdraw from family life.
Sometimes they become anxious, clingy or frightened.
Sometimes they seem perfectly happy at school but fall apart the moment they get home.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't need to have all the answers before getting in touch.
The free consultation gives us the opportunity to talk about your child, your concerns and whether Drawing Comfort is the right support for your family.
My child gets very upset about small things
Have you ever wondered why your child can seem perfectly fine one moment, then suddenly have a huge meltdown because their toast was cut the "wrong" way or they can't find their favourite toy?
The small issue is rarely the real problem.
Children are still developing the parts of their brain responsible for managing emotions, solving problems and coping with disappointment.
Throughout the day, they may be working hard to cope with worries, frustrations, tiredness or sensory overload.
As these feelings build up, their emotional "bucket" gradually fills. A seemingly minor event can then become the final drop that causes everything to overflow.
My child won't talk about what happened
Children often find it difficult to explain what they're thinking or feeling, especially when those emotions feel overwhelming.
This isn't because they're being secretive or unwilling to talk. The parts of the brain responsible for understanding, organising and expressing emotions are still developing, so children don't always have the words to describe what's happening inside.
Instead, their feelings often come out through their behaviour. They may have meltdowns, become withdrawn, argue more, complain of tummy aches, or struggle to concentrate.
When we look beyond the behaviour and recognise it as communication, we can begin to understand what a child is trying to tell us.
With the right support, they can gradually learn to recognise their emotions, express them more confidently and develop healthier ways to cope with life's challenges.
My child is struggling after losing someone
Bereavement can be especially confusing for children, who are still developing their understanding of death and loss.
Unlike adults, children often move in and out of their grief. They may seem happy one moment and deeply upset the next, or they might express their feelings through changes in behaviour rather than words. Some become quieter, others more emotional or clingy, while some ask the same questions repeatedly as they try to make sense of what's happened.
There is no right or wrong way for a child to grieve. With patience, reassurance and a safe space to express their feelings, they can gradually begin to process their loss, understand their emotions and find ways to carry their memories with them as they continue to grow.
My child is neurodiverse
Neurodiverse children often experience emotions more intensely than their peers.
Everyday situations can feel overwhelming, whether that's coping with sensory differences, navigating social situations, managing change, or working hard to meet the demands of school.
When emotions become too big, they often come out through behaviour such as meltdowns, anxiety, withdrawal, or frustration.
With the right support, children can learn to understand and manage their emotions in ways that work for them.
Using a neuro-affirming, creative approach, I help children make sense of their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping strategies – not by changing who they are, but by helping them understand and embrace themselves.
My child is struggling with friendships
Friendships play a huge role in a child's wellbeing, so when they become difficult, the emotional impact can be significant.
As children grow, they're learning how to share, compromise, resolve disagreements and navigate increasingly complex social situations. They may experience being left out, falling out with friends, misunderstandings, unkind comments or worries about fitting in.
While these experiences are a normal part of growing up, they can leave children feeling lonely, rejected, anxious or unsure of themselves.
Because children don't always know how to process these feelings, friendship difficulties can show up through changes in behaviour, confidence or mood.
With the right support, they can begin to understand their emotions, develop healthy relationship skills and build the resilience to navigate friendships with greater confidence.
Significant
life changes
Life doesn't always go to plan, and significant changes can be difficult for children to navigate.
Whether they're adjusting to a new school, moving house, experiencing family changes, or living with the impact of illness, these experiences can affect their sense of security and emotional wellbeing.
Some children become withdrawn, while others may struggle with anxiety, frustration, or emotional outbursts.
Providing the right support at the right time can help children understand their feelings, adapt to change, and develop healthy ways of coping.
My child seems completely different since the divorce
It's common for children to change after their parents separate, even if the separation is calm and handled with care.
While adults may understand the reasons behind a divorce, children often experience it very differently. Their familiar routines, sense of security and family life have changed, and they may struggle to make sense of what it all means.
Some children become clingy, withdrawn or anxious, while others express their feelings through anger, big emotions or changes in behaviour.
These reactions are often a child's way of communicating that they're finding things difficult.
The opportunity to process these changes can help them to rebuild their sense of security and develop healthy ways to express and manage their emotions.
My child has experienced trauma
Traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on children, even when those experiences might not seem traumatic to someone else.
Trauma can result from a single frightening event or from ongoing experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic conflict, bullying, serious illness, accidents or living with constant uncertainty.
When a child feels unsafe or overwhelmed, their brain and body go into survival mode, making it difficult to think clearly, regulate emotions and feel secure. This can show up as anxiety, anger, withdrawal, sleep difficulties or changes in behaviour.
Every child experiences trauma differently, and healing takes time.
With consistent, compassionate support and a safe space to process their experiences, children can gradually rebuild their sense of safety, strengthen their emotional resilience and begin to move forward with greater confidence.`