As an Accredited Practitioner of Hypno4Children™ and with specialised training in counselling young people. Phiona has advanced her training to offer comprehensive support for the emotional and behavioural challenges faced by young children, adolescents, and teenagers. Phiona's expertise is grounded in applying age-appropriate strategies and techniques to empower individuals and enhance their mindset and overall well-being. It is not uncommon for children of all ages to struggle to manage their emotions, often lacking the tools to understand, process, and navigate these experiences constructively and in a structured manner. Such challenges can manifest in various forms, including behavioural issues, difficulties in friendships, academic challenges, and disruptions in the home environment, ultimately leading to increased stress, anxiety, and a negative atmosphere.

The sessions Phiona offers are meticulously tailored to each child's specific needs and typically range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the child's age. Phiona provides both online and face-to-face sessions to ensure flexibility and accessibility for families. Phiona, as an Accredited Practitioner with Hypno4Children™, is duly listed on their official practitioner page, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the highest standards in this field.

Phiona, holds an Enhanced DBS and has undergone specialised training in EFT tailored for children, teens, and young adults. Moreover, she possesses the expertise to support Neuro Divergent children and understands their unique needs. Phiona is also a volunteer counsellor at Off the Record South East, which is a charity for children and young people.

Childrens Wellbeing

Children's sessions are dedicated to addressing a comprehensive spectrum of childhood challenges, including but not limited to, enuresis (bedwetting), sleep disturbances, social anxiety, bullying, school refusal, bereavement, family or sibling issues, separation, concerns regarding friendships, self-esteem issues, emotional outbursts, fears and phobias, as well as separation anxiety, depression and other mental health areas. While these issues may seem insubstantial at a glance, they can impede the intrinsic joys of childhood in various ways. It is imperative that every child has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life characterised by play and exploration, unencumbered by the anxiety and pressures many children face in contemporary society. Phiona holds an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, allowing her to work with children, and possesses an innate ability to empathise with their individual needs and concerns. She listens attentively to young individuals and employs a range of strategies to provide the necessary support. Phiona's expertise encompasses a diverse array of issues that significantly influence the well-being and happiness of children and adolescents, ensuring a holistic approach to their care.

Childrens Counselling

Counselling with Phiona is not about “fixing” a young person. It is about offering a support, non-judgmental space where they can explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly.

Sessions may include:

• Talking therapy
• Developing emotional awareness and vocabulary
• Learning coping strategies for anxiety, anger, or overwhelm
• Confidence-building and resilience work
• Age-appropriate psychoeducation

Where appropriate, Phiona works collaboratively with parents and carers, offering guidance and reassurance while maintaining the young person’s confidentiality and trust.

Many children and young people struggle to express themselves fully through words alone. Creative therapeutic approaches can offer powerful, developmentally appropriate ways to explore emotions safely.

Sand tray therapy allows young people to create symbolic scenes using miniature figures in sand. Through this process, they can express feelings, experiences, and internal struggles in a way that feels safe and contained. It often brings insight into emotions that may be difficult to verbalise.

Clay therapy offers a tactile, grounding experience. The physical act of shaping and transforming clay can help release tension, regulate emotions, and build a sense of control and empowerment. It allows feelings to be expressed physically when words feel insufficient.

Phiona may also incorporate:

• Drawing and painting
• Therapeutic play
• Storytelling and metaphor work
• Mindfulness and grounding exercises
• Emotion-focused activities and games

Creative counselling supports emotional processing in ways that feel natural and accessible to young people.

Through counselling with Phiona, children and young people can:

• Develop healthier coping strategies
• Strengthen emotional awareness and regulation
• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Improve communication skills
• Feel more secure and understood
• Gain lifelong tools to navigate challenges

Early support can have a lasting impact, strengthening resilience and promoting long-term emotional well-being.

Phiona recognises the important role that parents and carers play in a young person’s development. Support is offered in partnership with families, ensuring that young people feel held both within sessions and at home. Seeking counselling is a thoughtful and caring step. Phiona is committed to walking alongside young people and their families with professionalism, empathy, and respect.

Childrens Hypnotherapy

Phiona provides comprehensive support for the emotional and behavioural challenges faced by young children, adolescents, and teenagers. Phiona employs age-appropriate strategies and techniques that empower individuals and bolster their confidence in both mindset and overall well-being. In her practice, Phiona utilises the MINDHACK System, which integrates diverse, evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Tapping, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Coaching. The MINDHACK approach enables children to develop a robust Wellbeing Toolbox, comprising techniques, strategies, healthy habits, and positive beliefs regarding their own resourcefulness, thereby enhancing their overall wellbeing. MINDHACK sessions are designed to be engaging and enjoyable, tailored to each child's unique needs. Additionally, MINDHACK can be conducted as a workshop for groups of children or teenagers. 

The STUDY CALM system is specifically designed to help students manage the pressures associated with academic assessments, including tests, exam revisions, GCSEs, A Levels, T Levels, and vocational exams. This system provides invaluable resources to help navigate these challenging and stressful periods. By integrating Hypno4Children™ strategies with evidence-based theories, Phiona can offer bespoke sessions tailored to the individual needs of young people. Phiona's approach combines her training in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for children with breathwork coaching, fostering relaxation, stress relief, empathy, and understanding.

The school years can present significant challenges for young people, characterised by the complexities of personal growth, relationship dynamics, and the inherent pressures associated with academic environments. The pressure to excel, maintain high performance, and cultivate popularity can be substantial for young people. This is further compounded by the demands of examinations such as SATs, GCSEs, A Levels, and other academic assessments, which can impose considerable pressure on their mental well-being. Clinical Hypnotherapy serves as a valuable tool during this vulnerable period, offering support to those facing academic or social difficulties. Fostering a grounded and balanced perspective equips young individuals with effective strategies to navigate their challenges. Phiona provides tailored sessions to address each young person's specific needs.

Exam-related stress can significantly affect both mental and physical well-being. Young people encounter various assessments throughout their lives, not only within academic environments such as schools and colleges but also during driving tests, vocational training, and performance evaluations in the workplace. The resultant stress can lead to unnecessary self-imposed pressure, disrupting both mental and physical equilibrium. Consequently, individuals may experience a range of detrimental effects, including disturbances in sleep patterns, diminished concentration, appetite loss, dermatological issues, weight fluctuations, heightened anxiety, panic attacks, and memory lapses. In this context, the body's ability to absorb new information becomes compromised as it simultaneously strives to achieve homeostasis. Clinical Hypnotherapy offers a viable intervention to mitigate stress and anxiety, while also equipping individuals with effective strategies to navigate their examinations. Positive outcomes typically include a calmer perspective, enhanced relaxation, and the ability to alleviate the fears and concerns associated with examinations.

Confidence and self-esteem are fundamentally interconnected, resembling opposing ends of a balancing scale. While certain children may demonstrate a high degree of confidence, others may encounter considerable difficulties in this area. Generally, a strong level of confidence is associated with heightened self-esteem; conversely, deficiencies in one aspect typically indicate deficiencies in the other. However, both confidence and self-esteem can be significantly enhanced and sustained through the application of Clinical Hypnotherapy. This therapeutic approach facilitates a cognitive shift toward a more positive, reciprocal perspective. It not only aims to enhance self-esteem and address the associated challenges but also cultivates the confidence required to pursue personal aspirations and engage in activities that elicit joy and fulfilment. By employing such methods, individuals can attain a more empowered existence, transcending unfulfilled dreams often rooted in early life experiences or adverse circumstances, such as abusive relationships, bullying, or insufficient self-nurturing.

How does it work?

Children across age groups often struggle to manage their emotions. Lacking the appropriate tools to understand, process, and navigate these challenges constructively can result in behavioural issues, difficulties forming friendships, complications at school, and disruptions in home life. Such circumstances frequently contribute to heightened levels of stress and anxiety, thereby fostering a negative environment. 

To address these concerns, Phiona offers tailored sessions designed to meet your child's individual needs, with session durations ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on age. Phiona recommends an initial complimentary consultation to explore how she can best support both you and your child, ensuring that we establish a suitable rapport. Phiona provides services from her private practice in Havant, Hampshire, as well as online nationwide for clients further afield. 

Online therapy is particularly effective for children aged 11 and above. There are numerous reasons families seek support for their child's needs, and while Phiona has outlined some of the most common motivations for engaging in therapy, it is important to recognise that each situation is unique. Should you have any uncertainties, please do not hesitate to contact me for a more in-depth discussion by clicking on the book via email button.

Phiona works to understand the young person and tailors the session around them. It may be beneficial for a young person to have a 30-minute to 45-minute session rather than an hour. Phiona will make adjustments and allowances to ensure the young person is engaged and finds the sessions supportive. This is always discussed with the parent/carer of young people under 16.

For young people aged 16 or under, the initial assessment is carried out in the first part with the parent/carer, followed by a shorter, more tailored assessment with the young person.

Children up to 14 years old:

Initial assessment from £90 (up to 90 minutes with parent or carer)

Ongoing sessions for children up to 14 years from £65 for up to 30 -45 minute sessions.

Teenagers and young people 

Initial assessment from £90 (up to 90 minutes)

Ongoing sessions for teenagers (14 yrs+) from £75 for up to 50-minute sessions.