Therapy for children and adolescents

Sofia Montenegro · Jun 22, 2026 · 5 min read

Children and adolescents do not always have the words for what they feel — distress often shows up in behaviour, sleep, school, or the way they relate to others. Therapy for children and young people gives them a space of their own, safe and age-appropriate, to understand what is happening and find ways to cope with it.

Signs worth paying attention to

• Marked changes in mood, sleep or appetite.
• Anxiety, persistent fears, or refusing to go to school.
• Irritability, withdrawal, or a drop in school performance.
• Difficulties in relationships with peers, siblings or family.
• A loss, separation or other hard change in the family’s life.

No single one of these signs means something is "wrong" — but when they persist or cause distress, it is worth hearing a professional view.

How the support works

With adolescents, video sessions often work well — many feel at ease talking from their own room. With younger children, the work is adapted to their age and parents are more closely involved. In either case, the pace and format are shaped around the specific child or young person.

Parents are essential partners. There is usually a first contact with carers to understand the history and the concerns, and points of contact throughout the work. At the same time, the child or adolescent needs to feel they have a space of their own — so what is shared in session is handled with the care and confidentiality appropriate to their age.

Some situations call for in-person or specialised support, or immediate intervention: if there is any risk to the safety of the child or young person, or an emergency, contact SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) or emergency services straight away. Otherwise, the first step is a conversation with parents or carers, to talk about what worries you and think together about the best path.