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Understanding Child Therapy

Childhood comes with its own emotional ups and downs, but sometimes worry, sadness, anger or behavioural changes go beyond what’s expected for a child’s age or stage of development. When a child’s emotional wellbeing starts to affect their friendships, family life, sleep or school, therapy can help.

If your child is struggling and you’re not sure how to help, we’re here to support your whole family.

At Dr Jo Gee Psychotherapy, we provide age-appropriate, evidence-based therapy for children, helping them understand and manage their emotions in a safe, supportive space. We work closely with parents and carers throughout, so you always understand the approach and can support your child’s progress at home.

Whether you visit us in our clinic in Guildford, Surrey, or choose online therapy, our team is on-hand to help your child every step of the way.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Our Child Therapy Approaches

Our team of expert therapists offer a range of evidence-based, child-centred approaches, tailored to your child’s age and needs.

Play Therapy

For younger children, play is often the most natural way to express and process feelings that are difficult to put into words. Play therapy gives children a safe outlet to explore emotions, build confidence and develop coping skills.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Children

Adapted for younger minds, CBT helps children identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and replace them with more helpful ones. It’s particularly effective for anxiety, low mood and specific fears.

Family-Inclusive Therapy

Children don’t exist in isolation from their family environment. Where appropriate, we involve parents and carers in sessions, helping you understand what’s happening for your child and how to support them between sessions.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

CFT helps children who are self-critical, anxious or struggling with low self-esteem to build a kinder relationship with themselves.

Integrative Therapy

Every child is different, so we tailor our approach, drawing on a combination of therapeutic models to best suit your child’s personality, age and presenting difficulties.

 

What to Expect from Child Therapy

  1. Free 15-Minute Consultation: A confidential call with a parent or carer to discuss your concerns and determine the best approach.
  2. Comprehensive Assessment: An in-depth session to understand your child’s difficulties, history and needs, usually involving both parent and child.
  3. Personalised Treatment Plan: A structured, age-appropriate approach tailored to your child, developed collaboratively with you.
  4. Regular Sessions: Weekly 50-minute sessions, either in-person at our clinic in Guildford or online.
  5. Ongoing Review & Parent Support: Regular check-ins with parents or carers to review progress and adjust the approach as needed.

 

Signs & Symptoms in Children

Every child expresses distress differently, and it isn’t always through words. If you notice a change in your child’s usual behaviour or mood that’s persisting, therapy can help identify what’s going on underneath.

Emotional Signs

  • Persistent sadness, worry or tearfulness
  • Increased clinginess or fear of separation
  • Difficulty regulating emotions or frequent outbursts
  • Low confidence or self-esteem
  • Withdrawal from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy

Behavioural & Physical Signs

  • Changes in sleep or appetite
  • Regression to younger behaviours (e.g. toileting, speech)
  • Difficulty concentrating or a drop in schoolwork
  • Avoidance of school or social situations
  • Physical complaints with no clear medical cause, such as stomach aches or headaches
  • Reactive or aggressive behaviour

If you notice several of these signs persisting over a few weeks, it may be a good time to seek support.

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What Our Clients Say

“From start to finish, it taught me so much about myself.”

Lyra, Farnham

“Thank you for challenging me when I needed it.”

Sarah, London

“I can’t believe how much progress I’ve made in a short time.”

Moira, Sheffield

“After many years of therapy, you are the first person who gets me.”

Anna, Guildford

THERAPY FOR CHILDREN IN GUILDFORD

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Who Can Benefit from Child Therapy?

Therapy for children is effective for those experiencing:

  • Anxiety and specific fears or phobias
  • Low mood
  • Difficulties following family changes, such as separation, bereavement or a new sibling
  • Behavioural difficulties at home or school
  • Difficulty adjusting to school, friendships or a new environment
  • Effects of trauma or distressing life events
  • Emotional regulation difficulties
  • Low self-esteem or self-confidence

Whether your child’s difficulties feel mild or more significant, therapy gives them the tools to understand their emotions and feel more in control.

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How Therapy Can Help Your Child

Our child therapy provides a safe, supportive space where your child can:

Understand Their Feelings – Learn to recognise and name emotions in an age-appropriate way.
Build Coping Skills – Develop healthy strategies for managing worry, anger or sadness.
Feel Heard – Process difficult experiences with a trusted, trained professional.
Grow in Confidence – Strengthen self-esteem and resilience for the challenges ahead.

We also support you as a parent, offering guidance on how to respond to and support your child at home.

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Reasons Children Come to Therapy

Understanding what’s contributing to your child’s difficulties helps us build the right plan for them. Common reasons families come to us include:

  • Family changes such as separation, divorce, bereavement or a new sibling
  • School-related stress, including bullying, academic pressure or friendship difficulties
  • Life transitions, such as starting or moving school
  • Difficult or traumatic experiences
  • Developmental or neurodivergent needs, such as ADHD or autism, alongside emotional support
  • Family mental health difficulties, where a child needs their own space to process what’s happening at home

Your therapist will explore these factors sensitively with you and your child to develop a personalised plan.

See Conditions We Treat

ONLINE BOOKING

Ready to book your appointment? Please press the button below to see our online availability. Can’t see what you need, then don’t hesitate to send a message via the contact form below or call or email our offices.

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BOOK PSYCHIATRY & THERAPY

Whatever your current struggle, we’re here to help.

We offer online psychiatry, psychology, counselling and psychotherapy appointments. Contact us for a free 15-minute phone discussion to ask any questions you might have.

Online Sessions

Many of our appointments can be conducted online if that’s preferable or easier for you.

Face-to-Face Sessions

For clinic appointments, we work from 3 Saxton Parklands, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 9JX.

Clients visit us from several nearby locations, including Addlestone, Aldershot, Ashford, Bisley, Camberley, Chertsey, Chobham, Cobham, Cranleigh, Dorking, Egham, Epsom, Esher, Farnham, Farnborough, Fleet, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Horley, Horsham, Kingston, Leatherhead, Lightwater, Oxshot, Redhill, Reigate, Richmond, Send, Shere, Staines-upon-Thames, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surbiton, Virginia Water, Walton-on-Thames, West End, Weybridge, Windlesham and Woking.

Message or call us now to book an initial consultation.






    FIND DR JO GEE PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES

    ADDRESS

    DJGP

    3 Saxton Parklands

    Guildford

    GU2 9JX

    ADDRESS

    Guildford Therapy Rooms

    3 Beaufort Parklands

    Guildford

    GU2 9JX

    Hours

    Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 9.00pm

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