If you’ve just learned your child is on a waiting list, you may be feeling worried and frustrated. Whether your child shows signs of neurodivergence, anxiety or low mood, experiencing your child’s struggles is difficult for everyone in the household and can be particularly challenging for siblings too. But there are meaningful ways you can help your children and yourself right now.
Studies consistently demonstrate that early intervention significantly improves outcomes for children with anxiety, depression, and behavioural difficulties. The earlier a child receives appropriate therapeutic support, the better their long-term prognosis and the more likely they are to thrive.
Research also shows that parental support plays a crucial protective role. Children whose parents validate their feelings, maintain consistent routines and model healthy coping strategies can demonstrate greater resilience, even while waiting for formal treatment or assessment.
• Instead of asking “What’s wrong?” try: “I’ve noticed you seem worried [frustrated/cross/sad] I’m here if you want to talk.”
• Children and teenagers often find it hard articulate emotions; it’s important to validate whatever they express.
• During a calmer moment try offering your child or young person a notebook to write or draw any thoughts and feelings they have had that day. This can be kept in a safe place.
• Consistent mealtimes, snack times, bedtimes, and activities provide the security and predictability that anxious children benefit from. This isn’t just for young children; teenagers find structure and routine helpful too.
• When the world feels unpredictable, routine becomes an anchor. Try making or buying a weekly planner or visual routine for the week. Keep it simple and easy for your child to follow.
• Let your child know in advance if plans are due to change. I know this might not always be possible, so in those instances let your child know that it must be feel frustrating to have things chnage unexpectedly.
• Narrate your own stress management out loud: “I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I’m taking some deep breaths.” See if you can breath together, find a rhythm, maybe add a sound and an action.
• Children learn emotional regulation by watching you. Show them that feeling stressed is normal and so is managing it healthily.
• Try this if your child is worried about something; ask your child to imagine the worry, what’s the colour, the shape, the texture, does it smell of anything? Have a good look at it and then gently blow it out the window and see if it can fly away.
Many children, and young people, particularly those who are neurodivergent or experiencing anxiety and low mood find traditional “talking therapy” difficult or uncomfortable. They might:
• Struggle to articulate their feelings
• Find eye contact challenging and need movement to engage
• ‘Mask’ their difficulties at school, then release emotions chaotically at home
This is where creative therapies like dramatherapy can help.
Dramatherapy offers a flexible, person-led approach that meets the client where they are:
• Talk, create, or both – whatever works for your child
• Sensory-friendly sessions – no pressure to sit still or make eye contact
• Play, storytelling, art, and imagination – exploring feelings in ways that feel helpful and age appropriate
• Individual self expression – there’s no ‘right’ or wrong way to do therapy
• Clear, structured, predictable session routine
Through creative methods, children can process difficult feelings, develop emotional regulation skills and build resilience – all while feeling safe and understood.
And importantly, this support can start now.
I’m Sarah, a dramatherapist with 18 years’ experience working with children, young people, and their families. I specialise in supporting clients with:
• Neurodevelopmental needs and neurodivergence (diagnosed or undiagnosed)
• Anxiety and low mood
• School avoidance
• Emotional regulation difficulties
Together, we can:
• Develop positive strategies to assist with emotional regulation and day to day life
• Help your child or young person identify and share feelings
• Prevent escalation to more serious mental health conditions
• Build resilience
And importantly, please don’t forget to look after yourself! If you’d like support for your own emotional wellbeing, I’m here for that too.
Let’s find a way forward — together.
If you feel you or your child could benefit from additional support while waiting for an assessment, our therapy services offer a range of approaches tailored to adults, children and young people, including dramatherapy, creative therapies and emotional regulation support. Our experienced practitioners work closely with families to build resilience, develop coping strategies and create a safe space for self-expression. To learn more about our therapy options and meet our team, visit our Practitioners page and explore how we can support your family.