Working with children or young adults

Worried about your child’s mental health?

If you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn, you’re not alone. Supporting a child or young person with their mental health can be incredibly hard, especially when there is so much advice and information to take in. As a parent or carer, you want to help in the best way you can, but it’s not always easy to know what your child needs or where to begin. My aim is to offer a calm, compassionate space where both you and your child feel supported, understood, and gently guided forward.

I’m Frances—welcome to Tiger Art Therapy. With eight years of experience as a therapist, and three years running Tiger Art Therapy, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many children, young people, and families through difficult times. My work alongside Surrey and Borders NHS CAMHS has also helped shape a thoughtful, nurturing approach—one that centres on helping each child feel safe, valued, and truly heard.

Families often tell me that feeling genuinely listened to and cared for makes a real difference. I believe strong, trusting relationships are at the heart of meaningful support. When children and young people feel safe enough to express what’s going on inside, they can begin to make sense of difficult feelings, build confidence, and move towards healing and and living a happier life into adulthood.

If you’re looking for support that meets your child with kindness, empathy, and understanding, I’m here to help. Together, we can make sense of what’s happening and find a way forward that feels hopeful, supportive, and right for your family.

I have extensive experience supporting children and young people with a range of emotional and behavioural challenges, including anxiety, persistent worrying, low mood, depression, cyclical or rigid thinking, and difficulties often associated with ADHD. These experiences can show up in many ways—through changes in behaviour, mood, concentration, or confidence—and can affect everyday life at home, in school, and in relationships. With the right support, children can begin to understand what they’re feeling, develop helpful ways of coping, and feel more able to thrive.

Some of the areas I most commonly support children and young people with include:
• Anxiety: This can include general worries, social anxiety, or separation anxiety. Children may seem unusually fearful, worry a great deal, or experience physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, or difficulty sleeping.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Children with ADHD may find it hard to focus, sit still, manage impulses, or stay organised. These challenges can affect school, friendships, and everyday routines, and can sometimes leave children feeling frustrated or misunderstood.
• Depression and low mood: This can look like ongoing sadness, irritability, tiredness, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, or withdrawing from others. In children and teenagers, low mood does not always look like sadness—it can also show up as anger, frustration, or emotional shutdown.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Autism can affect how a child experiences communication, relationships, sensory input, and the world around them. With understanding and the right support, autistic children can feel more secure, understood, and able to express themselves in ways that work for them.
• Behavioural challenges: These may include frequent outbursts, difficulties managing big feelings, arguing, or behaviours that place strain on family life. Often, these behaviours are a sign that a child is struggling and needs support to feel safe, understood, and more in control.

You may have noticed some changes or patterns in your child that are causing concern

Every child is different, but sometimes there are signs that they may be finding things hard. You might notice changes such as:
• Emotional changes: Your child may seem more irritable, tearful, overwhelmed, or prone to intense emotional reactions that feel hard for them to manage.
• Behavioural shifts: You may notice your child withdrawing from friends or activities, struggling more at school, or becoming more reactive at home.
• Physical symptoms: Some children show distress through their bodies, for example through headaches, stomach aches, changes in sleep, or changes in appetite, even when there is no obvious medical cause.