Creative Therapy for Young People aged 11 years +
Young people today face pressures that can feel overwhelming - socially, emotionally, academically, and at home.
Creative therapy offers a gentle, safe, and engaging way for children and teens to explore their feelings, build confidence, and make sense of their experiences without needing to find the “right” words.
I offer creative therapy for young people aged 11+ in my cosy therapy room in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, as well as online where appropriate.
​
​
Who I Am
I’m an experienced therapist who loves working with children and young people. I’ve spent many years supporting young people in both private practice and school environments, so I understand the pressures they face — from academic stress to friendship challenges to the emotional intensity of growing up.
As a parent myself, I also understand how family dynamics, transitions, and everyday challenges can impact a young person’s wellbeing.
I’ve found that offering a private, confidential space on a regular basis gives young people the freedom to explore their thoughts and feelings without worrying about how others might react. I’m used to working with big emotions and I pride myself on offering the unconditional acceptance every child deserves.
​
How Creative Therapy Works
Creative therapy combines talking therapy with creative expression to help young people explore their inner world in a way that feels safe, natural, and engaging.
Talking alone can sometimes feel overwhelming or too direct - especially when a young person has experienced trauma, anxiety, or difficult life events. Creative activities offer a gentle way to explore experiences without pressure, without needing the “right” words, and without re‑living the event.
Through imagination, play, and creative expression, young people can:
• explore emotions at a safe distance
• express themselves without words
• build resilience and confidence
• process difficult experiences
• develop emotional regulation
• strengthen communication skills
Missed developmental stages due to trauma, illness, stress, or adverse experiences can also be revisited and rebuilt through creative work.
​
What I Offer in Sessions
Each session is tailored to the age, needs, and personality of the young person. I may offer:
• Creative art materials (drawing, painting, collage, clay)
• Games and role‑play items
• Storytelling and imaginative play
• A sand tray, where appropriate - a powerful medium for exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Therapeutic exercises, including The MAP Method™, to support emotional processing and help with issues that may be difficult to express verbally
Choice is an important part of therapy. Young people are encouraged to choose how they want to work each session — what they use, how they express themselves, and the pace that feels right for them.
Items created in sessions can be safely stored and returned to the young person when therapy ends.
​
​
Working Together With Parents
I believe that supporting young people works best when parents feel included and supported too. While sessions remain confidential to protect the young person’s privacy, I welcome communication from parents and I’m happy to discuss ways you can support your child at home.
My aim is to work collaboratively - helping your child grow emotionally while strengthening the support around them.
​
Creative Therapy Can Help With
• anxiety or overwhelm
• low self‑esteem
• friendship or school difficulties
• family changes or conflict
• trauma or adverse experiences
• stress, perfectionism, or academic pressure
• emotional regulation challenges
• grief or loss
​
According to Margot Sutherland
Conversations That Matter: Talking with Children and Teenagers in Ways That Help
-
If we help children to talk about their feelings, we offer them a safe context in which to live their lives
-
If we help children to talk, they will learn how to reflect on their feelings rather than ‘behave them’
-
If we help children to talk, it will develop their brains as well as their minds
-
If we help children to talk about their feelings, they will be far more able to manager stress well throughout their lives
-
If we help children to talk about their feelings, they will develop a far more sophisticated language for their emotions
-
If we help children to talk about their feelings, they will be able to ‘suffer well’
-
Helping children to talk about feelings is about ‘opening up their capacity to take in comfort’
-
If we help children to talk about their feelings, they develop insight and emotional awareness
