Sometimes the biggest feelings come from the smallest people.
A child who once skipped happily into school suddenly does not want to go. A teenager who seemed confident begins doubting themselves. A little one becomes quieter, more sensitive or easily overwhelmed.
As parents, we naturally want to make everything better.
We reassure. We encourage. We ask questions. And sometimes we find ourselves saying, “But there’s nothing to worry about,” when, for our child, the worry feels very real.
In my work with children and families, I believe that one of the most important things we can offer is a space where a child feels safe, understood and accepted exactly as they are.
This is at the heart of why I love working with Bunny Talk™.
Looking Beyond the Behaviour
When a child is struggling, it is easy to focus on what we can see.
They are refusing to go somewhere. They are withdrawing from activities. They are becoming upset more often, or finding it difficult to manage their feelings.
But I always want to understand the child behind the behaviour. I believe that we are not our behaviours but we are our best intentions. This just means that even when behaviour can be a concern or challenging, there is usually a reason and that can be the subconscious way to respond because that part of the mind believes it is protecting.
- What might they be finding difficult?
- Where do they feel unsure of themselves?
- What would help them feel more secure?
I do not believe children should feel that there is something wrong with them simply because they are having a difficult time.
Often, what they need first is to feel that someone is listening without judgement.
What Is the Bunny Talk Process™?
Bunny Talk™ is one of the approaches I use in my work with children and families. The advantage is that we do NOT need the story. The child does not need to discuss issues or how they feel. This is all content free and through drawing and imagination we can reduce negative thought patterns, behaviours and feelings and bring in new happy, emotionally regulated and a feeling of being safe in their world.
My focus is on providing a gentle, supportive experience that respects the child’s individual needs and helps create a foundation for confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Rather than expecting every child to respond in the same way, I take time to build trust and rapport.
Children have different personalities, different experiences and different ways of expressing themselves. Some are naturally chatty. Others take longer to feel comfortable.
There is no need to rush that process.
My aim is to meet each child where they are and work at a pace that feels appropriate for them.
Supporting the Whole Family
When a child is finding life difficult, parents often carry their own worries alongside them.
They wonder whether they are doing enough. They search for answers. They try different ways of helping.
I want parents to feel supported too.
In my practice, I may work with a child and parent through a series of Bunny Talk™ sessions, then introduce SleepTalk® as an additional parent-led wellbeing practice where appropriate. SleepTalk gives parents a structured way to offer positive, reassuring messages during their child’s sleep.
I value bringing these approaches together because the support does not have to end when a session finishes.
Parents can continue offering consistency, encouragement and connection at home.
What About Bunny Talk™ Online?
Families have different routines, commitments and circumstances. Travelling to appointments is not always easy, particularly when a child is already feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Online sessions can make support more accessible.
I am developing my work with families online as well as in person, with each child’s suitability considered individually.
For some children, being in their own familiar surroundings can make an initial conversation feel more comfortable.
Before arranging an online session, I discuss practical considerations with parents, including privacy, parental involvement and how to create an appropriate space for the child.
The most important thing is not where the session takes place. It is whether the child feels comfortable and the approach is suitable for their needs.
Confidence Can Grow in Quiet Ways
When we think about confidence, we often picture a child becoming outgoing, fearless or ready to take on the world.
But confidence does not always look like that.
- Sometimes it is a child willing to try an activity again.
- Sometimes it is finding the words to express a feeling.
- Sometimes it is joining in, asking for help or beginning to believe that they are capable.
These small moments deserve to be celebrated.
I want children to recognise that they have strengths within them already. My role is to help create a supportive space in which those strengths can be explored and encouraged.
You Do Not Have to Work It All Out Alone
If you have noticed changes in your child’s confidence, emotional wellbeing or everyday behaviour, I am here to listen.
We can talk through your concerns, explore what support might be helpful and consider whether Bunny Talk™ is an appropriate fit.
There is no pressure and no expectation that you need to arrive with the right words.
DM me to explore Bunny Talk™, SleepTalk® and children’s wellbeing support.
Bunny Talk™ is offered as a complementary wellbeing approach and does not replace medical, psychological or specialist mental health care. Each child’s needs are assessed individually, with appropriate parental consent, age-appropriate involvement and respect for the child’s comfort and wishes. Results vary.
