Public Speaking
Public speaking anxiety is one of the top anxieties of adults. Whether this is giving a talk or presentation online or face to face. Even one person or many; you have found the right place. I have over 15 years of successfully helping clients overcome this fear. This phobia/anxiety is related to stage fright, where […]
Anxiety and School Avoidance
School avoidance rarely has anything to do with naughtiness. It is usually about an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Shaming the child or shouting at the child is likely to exacerbate the problem. Parents often feel helpless. There may be limited support from CAMHS and Social Services. It is common for parents to feel shame for […]
Misophonia
Misophonia is a sensitivity to sounds like chewing, talking and even breathing. For some sufferers it can seem unbearable. So much so that it can cause distress and even panic. Consequently the person may start to avoid situations and even withdraw completely from society or even their own family. Another common way of coping is […]
School Refusal Therapy
School refusal can be described as a child refusing to go to school full-time or at all. According to latest government figures, school refusal has increased by 50% since COVID (DeE, 2023). There can be several reasons for this. Reasons for School Refusal Individuals who are ASD, ADHD, ADD or OCD suffer from higher anxiety […]
Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Children
Anxiety and panic in children and young people is more common around puberty. Unfortunately, children can feel traumatised after suffering a panic attack. Children don’t understand their symptoms, and consequently, they can feel very frightened. Due to this, they may begin to avoid situations and places to avoid feeling anxiety. Negative Thoughts Many parents feel […]
Stomach pain IBS in Children
If your child is getting regular stomach pain? If there is nothing wrong physically, then the problem may be due to anxiety. We are all aware that if we feel anxious or nervous, then we get ‘butterflies’ or we feel nauseous. With some individuals, this can feel more severe; in individuals who are hypermobile. […]
Self harming
Self-harming in young people is, unfortunately, increasing. Self-harming can be a symptom of emotional distress and severe mental health problems. Family and friends can feel saddened and confused when a loved one hurts themselves. What we do know is that the sufferer is trying to deal with distressing emotions in any way they can. For […]
Selective mutism
What is Selective Mutism? Selective mutism can affect children of all ages. But it usually begins at the age of 4 or 5. It is generally accepted that this problem stems from anxiety. The person affected may be unable to tell you why they can’t talk. It can feel like their throats are frozen (a […]
ODD
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD) ODD or oppositional defiant disorders affects approximately 5% of the population. Unfortunately, experts disagree as to the causes of this condition. Some believe that the cause is genetic because it seems to run in families. While others believe that it is a learned behavior. Children with ODD seem to have a […]
ARFID
Is your child a fussy eater or showing signs of ARFID? Getting children to eat healthy meals can seem like an impossible task at times. And it is true that many go through that ‘fussy’ stage. But for some children, fussy eating can be more severe. Consequently, it can turn into a long-term habit where […]