Support for your child
Children and teenagers can find life overwhelming at times. When emotions spill over at home, friendships become complicated or their confidence takes a dip, it can leave you wondering how best to help them.
At Effective Steps, we provide calm, child-centred support that helps young people understand themselves better, build emotional resilience and feel more secure in who they are.
We also work closely with you as a parent, so that the progress made in sessions is reinforced at home and becomes part of everyday life
Help for children and teenagers
The challenges a seven-year-old faces are very different from those of a fifteen-year-old. Our work is personalised to each child’s developmental stage, offering understanding, structure and practical tools that help them feel more secure and resilient.
Support for Younger Children (5-12)
Younger children often struggle to express what they think or feel.
Sessions for this age group combine gentle conversation, play-based techniques and practical tools to help them make sense of their emotions and feel more confident in themselves.
We support:
- Worries and anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Friendship difficulties and bullying
- Emotional overwhelm
- Coping with loss or separation
- Self-harm concerns or big feelings they cannot explain
Support for Teenagers (13-19)
Adolescence brings huge changes in thinking, identity and pressure.
Teen sessions offer a private, non-judgemental space where they can talk openly, develop insight and build healthier ways of managing stress, relationships and expectations.
We support:
- Anxiety, low mood or pressure to cope
- Confidence and self-consciousness
- Friendship or social issues
- Identity questions or transitions
- Coping with loss
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
"Hester really helped one of our children navigate their way through a very tricky time, Renee and I are very grateful to her for her expert support and guidance."
Ross Kemp,
BAFTA award-winning documentary-maker, actor and author who rose to prominence in the BBC1 soap opera, Eastenders.
How we support your child
When your child is struggling, it can affect everything.
You may notice they are more on edge than usual, more tearful, more withdrawn or simply not quite themselves.
Small challenges feel enormous. Plans fall apart quickly. Friendships become confusing or painful.
As a parent, you can end up feeling unsure of how best to help, even though you are doing everything you can.
Our aim is to give your child a space where their feelings make sense and where they can begin to understand themselves with more clarity and confidence.
With the right support, children and teenagers often find that life feels less overwhelming and that they have more capacity to cope with everyday ups and downs.
This sets the tone for the next part of their journey: building resilience, connection and a stronger sense of self.
What your child will gain
Greater confidence in themselves
Feeling more capable, grounded and aware of their strengths.
More stable emotional regulation
Fewer big reactions and more tools to manage overwhelm.
Improved communication
Clearer expression of feelings and needs, reducing frustration on all sides.
Stronger resilience
Greater ability to cope when things go wrong or plans change.
Healthier friendships
Better boundaries, more confidence socially and a clearer sense of who they feel good around.
Reduced anxiety and worry loops
A calmer, steadier approach to challenges, school pressures and daily stresses.
A more positive family atmosphere
When children feel better, home feels lighter, calmer and more connected.
"Hillary has been fantastic for my daughter who had worked with a few different people previously on her anxiety but never really trusted or opened up with them. From her very first session with Hillary, she felt comfortable which has allowed her to open up and work through her issues. Hillary has made a real difference to my daughter, and I highly recommend her."
Mother of a 6-year-old girl
Symptoms: Anxiety
"The environment in Marlow is peaceful and calm, the space for a child is well thought through and engaging, the expertise is both amazing and caring and we would highly recommend Effective Steps to everyone."
Mother of an 11-year-old
Symptoms: Anxiety
"We are so grateful for everything you have done to support our son through such a tricky time. I hate to think where we would have been if we hadn't found you."
Mother of an 11-year-old boy
Symptoms: Sudden onset OCD
How our support works
Getting help should feel straightforward and reassuring.
We use a simple process that gives your child time to settle, helps you understand the approach and ensures we have a clear picture of what they need. Each step is designed to build trust, create consistency and support your child in the most effective way.
01 Parent Consultation
A 55-minute session with one or both parents to understand what is happening, explore what your child needs and agree on the best approach.
02 Hello-Meet
A short, free introduction where your child meets their therapist, sees the therapy room and helps shape the focus for sessions. This makes the first session feel familiar and safe.
03 One-to-One Sessions
Fortnightly sessions (55 minutes) tailored to your child’s age and personality. We explore feelings, build skills and strengthen resilience, at a pace that suits them.
04 Ongoing Parent Support
We stay in close contact with you throughout, so you know how to reinforce progress at home and support your child in a way that is consistent and effective.
Practical Details
Sessions take place in our Marlow practice, where the environment is calm, welcoming and designed to help children and teenagers feel at ease.
We offer after-school appointments to fit around busy family schedules, and remote sessions via Zoom are also available when suitable for your child or teenager.
Parking is available nearby, and we will guide you through each step of the process once you get in touch so that getting started feels straightforward and supported.
