Children, Young People & Families

CBT therapist supporting children and adults and postpartum mental health in North Tyneside and North East England

Looking Beyond Behaviour

Helping children, young people and families feel heard, understood and supported.

As parents and caregivers, it can be difficult to know what to do when your child is struggling.

Perhaps they seem anxious, withdrawn or overwhelmed. Maybe school has become a challenge, emotions feel bigger than ever before, or you're finding yourself worried about changes in their behaviour.

Often, the behaviours we see on the surface are only part of the story.

At Sophie Bolam CBT, I believe meaningful change begins with understanding. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or behaviours, I work collaboratively with children, young people and families to understand what may be contributing to their difficulties and what might be keeping them going.

Because every behaviour has a story.

When Might Therapy Help?

Children and young people can experience emotional difficulties for many different reasons. Sometimes these difficulties develop gradually, whilst other times they may appear following a significant life event or change.

Support may be helpful if your child is experiencing:

  • Anxiety and excessive worry

  • School avoidance or emotionally based school non-attendance

  • Low mood or depression

  • Panic attacks

  • Social anxiety

  • OCD and intrusive thoughts

  • Emotional regulation difficulties

  • Anger and frustration

  • Low confidence and self-esteem

  • Friendship difficulties

  • Perfectionism

  • Trauma or difficult life experiences

  • Neurodivergent-related mental health difficulties

  • Stress associated with transitions and change

You do not need to wait until things reach crisis point to seek support.

Looking Beyond Behaviour

Children often communicate distress through behaviour.

What we see may be:

  • Refusing school

  • Withdrawing from family and friends

  • Irritability or anger

  • Avoiding situations

  • Seeking reassurance

  • Emotional outbursts

  • Perfectionism

  • Appearing "fine" whilst struggling internally

Whilst these behaviours can be challenging, they are often attempts to communicate something important.

Together, we can explore what might be happening beneath the surface and develop a shared understanding of your child's experiences.

How CBT Can Help

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is an evidence-based approach that helps children and young people understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours.

Therapy can help young people to:

  • Better understand their emotions

  • Develop confidence and self-awareness

  • Learn practical coping strategies

  • Reduce anxiety and worry

  • Build resilience

  • Improve emotional regulation

  • Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns

  • Develop a kinder relationship with themselves

My approach is collaborative, compassionate and adapted to the individual needs of each child or young person.

Working With Families

Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting a child's emotional wellbeing.

Where appropriate, I work closely with parents and carers throughout the therapeutic process, helping them to understand their child's difficulties and feel more confident in supporting them.

This may include:

  • Developing a shared understanding of difficulties

  • Exploring what may be maintaining the problem

  • Identifying helpful responses at home

  • Supporting communication within the family

  • Building confidence in supporting recovery

The aim is not only to support the child or young person but to support the wider system around them.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

I have experience supporting autistic and ADHD children and young people, including those who may be awaiting assessment or exploring their identity.

I recognise that many emotional difficulties arise not because something is "wrong" with the young person, but because they may be navigating environments, expectations or experiences that do not fully meet their needs.

My work is neurodiversity-affirming and adapted to the individual.

Why Choose Sophie Bolam CBT?

  • BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse

  • Extensive CAMHS experience

  • Experience working with children, young people and families

  • Neurodiversity-affirming practice

  • Compassionate, collaborative approach

  • In-person appointments across North East England

  • Online appointments available throughout the UK

Taking the First Step

Seeking support can feel daunting, both for young people and their families.

Whether you are concerned about anxiety, school attendance, emotional wellbeing or simply feel that something is not quite right, I offer a warm, supportive space to explore what is happening and consider how we can move forward together.

If you would like to discuss support for your child or young person, please get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.

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