Children experience big emotions and face real challenges. Our child therapists use age-appropriate, play-based, and creative approaches to help children express themselves, build resilience, and thrive.
Parents often reach out after noticing a change in their child's behaviour or mood, or following a difficult life event like a move, loss, or a new sibling.
Sessions use age-appropriate, play-based approaches that let a child express what they are experiencing, with parents typically involved throughout the process.
This may be right for you if...
- Big emotional outbursts that feel out of proportion and hard to manage at home
- A noticeable change in behaviour at home or school with no clear explanation
- Difficulty adjusting to a change — divorce, a new sibling, moving house
- Trouble making or keeping friends
- Anxiety about school, separation, or things that did not used to worry them
What children's counselling can help with
Children's counselling at Safe Expanse is for children aged roughly 5 to 12 whose feelings or behaviour have become hard for them, and for you, to manage. Children rarely say "I am anxious" or "I am sad". Because their brains are still developing, they show what is going on through behaviour: outbursts, clinginess, withdrawal, tummy aches, refusing school, or a sudden change that no one can explain. Parents in Singapore commonly bring their child to us about:
- Big emotions and outbursts, anger or frequent meltdowns
- Worry, fears, separation anxiety or reluctance to go to school
- Low mood, loss of interest or low confidence
- Adjusting to a divorce, a new sibling, a house move, illness or a death in the family
- Trouble making or keeping friends, or being bullied
- Difficult or "defiant" behaviour at home or in school
- Physical complaints with no medical cause, or a change after a frightening experience
How play-based therapy works
Play is how children think, communicate and make sense of the world, so our child therapists use play, art, sand, stories and other creative media rather than relying on a child sitting still and talking. Through a doll family, a drawing or a game, a child can show a worry or replay a difficult event in a way that feels safe and in their control. The therapist follows what the child brings, gently helps them name feelings, and introduces new ways of coping through the play itself.
Our therapists working with children are trained in modalities such as Gestalt play therapy, play and expressive arts therapy, integrative art therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and bring experience from schools, child protection services and early intervention programmes. Children's sessions run for 50 minutes, usually weekly or fortnightly, in person at 37 Beach Road.
How parents are involved
You are part of the process, not on the sidelines. The first appointment is usually with parents alone, so the therapist can hear your concerns, learn your child's history and agree what you both hope to see change. From there, sessions are with your child, with regular check-ins for you: what the therapist is noticing, what seems to help, and small things to try at home. Where it would help, the therapist can offer parent sessions on their own.
A child's play and words in the room are treated with care. Your therapist will share themes and progress with you rather than a blow-by-blow account, so your child can trust the space, while always telling you anything that affects their safety.
What to expect
- An initial session to understand your needs and goals
- A personalised treatment plan
- Regular sessions at a frequency that suits you
- Ongoing review and adjustment as you progress
- A confidential, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship
Therapists who offer this
Frequently asked questions
What age range do you see for children's counselling? +
Our children's sessions are designed for children aged about 5 to 12. Teenagers aged 13 and up are seen under our teen counselling service, which uses different, more developmentally-appropriate approaches. If you are unsure which fits, get in touch and we will advise.
Does my child need to know they are "in therapy"? +
Children usually cope best with a simple, honest explanation: that they are going to see someone whose job is to help children with big feelings, and that they will get to play and draw. Most children settle quickly once they see what the room is like. Your therapist can help you find the right words for your child.
Do I sit in on my child's sessions? +
Usually not after the first meeting, because children open up differently when a parent is not watching. Younger or very anxious children can have a parent nearby or in the room at first. You will have regular feedback conversations with the therapist either way.
What happens in the first session? +
The first appointment is normally with parents only, to understand the concern and your child's history. Your child's first session is then low-pressure: getting to know the therapist, exploring the toys and art materials, and starting to feel that the room is theirs.
How long will my child need counselling? +
It depends on what your child is facing. Some children need a short block of sessions around a specific change or event; others benefit from longer support. The therapist will review progress with you regularly and you decide together when to pause or stop.
Do you provide assessments or diagnoses for children? +
We provide counselling and therapy, not formal diagnostic or psycho-educational assessments. If an assessment would help, for example for school support, we can talk through where to seek one and continue counselling alongside it.
How much do children's sessions cost? +
Children's sessions are 50 minutes and priced separately from adult sessions. The full fee table by therapist is on our fees page. There is no separate intake or assessment charge.
Further reading
Ready to get started?
Contact us to enquire about children's counselling or to book an appointment.
Make an Enquiry Meet Our Therapists