Support for children, teens and parents
Are you struggling with your children, navigating big problems, school issues or behavioural challenges?
My specialist emotional support is rooted in 25 years of experience working with young people.
I specialise in helping children, teens and parents who are struggling with:
- Anxiety, overwhelm and worry
- School refusal and burnout
- Friendships & social difficulties
- Behaviour that feels “big” or confusing
- Emotional meltdowns
- Neurodivergent needs
- Exam stress and perfectionism
- Family conflict
I’m flexible in my approach and can work from my therapy room in Nutfield, a mobile ‘support den’, your own home or even out in nature.
Oxford teaching degree and considerable experience in the National Curriculum
Member of Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists, and Hypnotherapists
Guided and self-help therapies including hypnotherapy and emotional regulation
I honestly don't know what I would have done without the support Kirstie has provided to my son (11) who has anxiety, ASD and ADHD and was previously out of school with EBSNA. He does weekly walk and talk sessions with Kirstie and of the many professionals that have been involved in his life she is one of the only ones that he has been fully able to open up to - Cleo
Welcome — I’m Kirstie
Hello! I’m Kirstie Dawson. I trained as a teacher at Oxford and now have over 25 years experience working hands-on with children, families and neurodivergent young people.
I’ve supported hundreds of children with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and learning needs, including ADHD, ASD, sensory regulation, masking, and school-based anxiety.
I believe everyone has the power to heal, grow, and thrive. Sometimes, we just need the right guidance and support to unlock our potential.
I’m now a qualified NLP Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, and EFT Practitioner, and my therapy work brings together:
- Child development expertise
- Neurodiversity-informed practice
- Trauma-aware approaches
- Parent coaching
- NLP communication tools
- Somatic calming and emotional regulation techniques
- Child-appropriate hypnosis and relaxation strategies
Packages
All packages are £250 and include 3 hours of sessions
These sessions can be used as agreed between us and can be a combination of adult sessions and young person sessions. They can range from 30 minutes to a full hour and a half. They can be in your own home, my mobile ‘den’, my therapy room in Nutfield, or out in nature.
Exam survival package
3 hours of ‘mix and match’ child/adult sessions including
- Revision strategies tailor made to your young person
- Exam anxiety reduction strategies
- Top tips and tricks for exam success
- Parental strategies to support success and lead to a stress free exam period
Life after Autism/ADHD/Dyslexia diagnosis package
3 hours of ‘mix and match’ child/adult sessions including
- Understanding the diagnosis and practical strategies
- How to navigate school
- A plan for the future
- Anxiety reduction and relationship strategies
Home education package
3 hours of ‘mix and match’ child/adult sessions including
- What exactly is home education?
- Practical strategies for home education
- How to navigate school, exams and other people
- A plan for the future
Becoming a parent package
3 hours of ‘mix and match’ sessions including
- Practical strategies for change
- Anxiety reduction strategies
- Strategies for a low-stress first year, tailored to your lifestyle
- A plan for the future
You are one of the kindest most brilliant people I've ever met. I don't know how I would have settled into scholl without you. I can't thank you enough for your kindness - Year 7 child
How I help
For children and teens
Gentle, child-led sessions to help with:
Featured Included:
- Anxiety, overwhelm, school stress
- Friendship challenges
- Emotional regulation
- Meltdowns, shutdowns, masking
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Neurodivergent needs (ADHD, ASD, PDA)
For parents
Practical, compassionate support to help you understand what your child is experiencing and what they need:
- Parenting strategies
- Reducing conflict at home
- Navigating school systems
- Supporting transitions
- Co-regulation & emotional safety
I can't thank you enough for all your support throughout another tough year - Sarah
How does the therapy work?
- We begin with an initial meeting with parents to understand your child, your concerns, and to design a plan that feels right for your family
- The first session with your child can include you for the first few minutes, helping them feel safe and settled
- Sessions are gentle, practical, and tailored to your child or teenager
- There is no pressure to talk before they are ready
- Therapy may include talking, creative activities such as LEGO, art, drawing, colouring, or simple ball and movement game
- Visualisation, relaxation techniques, and practical coping tools are used where helpful
- We work at your child’s pace, following what feels safest for them
- The focus is on building confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience
How involved am I as a parent?
- We start by working together to create a plan that works for you and your child
- Parents can be present briefly at the start of early sessions if helpful
- There is a planned check-in around the halfway point and again at the end of the agreed block of sessions
- Additional catch-ups can be arranged whenever needed
- You will receive practical tips and strategies to try at home between sessions
- Teenagers are offered appropriate confidentiality, while parents remain informed and supported
Is it confidential?
Everything we discuss is completely confidential and treated with respect and care. You’re free to share as much or as little as you wish — this is your space.
How do I get started?
Just send me an email, I’d love to hear from you. We can start with a 15-minute chat over the phone, by email, or in person, to see whether this is the right fit for your family. There’s no charge for this.
Book a free consultationYou're the best for helping me deal with life. You're a shield against the mess of the world - Year 11 child