What Is Psychodynamic Counselling? Understanding Your Child's Feelings, Relationships and Behaviour
By Ellen Laughlin, Psychotherapist at Kids' Therapy Works
If you've been looking into support for your child and come across the term "psychodynamic counselling," you might be wondering what it actually means – and whether it's the right approach for your family. This post aims to explain it as clearly as possible, because understanding the therapy is part of feeling confident about the decision.
What is psychodynamic counselling?
Psychodynamic counselling looks at how a child's inner world – their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences – connects to the difficulties they're facing now. Rather than focusing purely on changing behaviour, it explores why a child might be feeling or behaving in a particular way.
This matters because children's difficulties rarely come from nowhere. There's usually a story behind them, even if that story isn't obvious yet.
What does a psychodynamic therapist actually do?
Sessions are led gently by the therapist, helping your child make sense of their emotions, their relationships, and the patterns that might be getting in the way of how they want to feel or behave. This includes how they relate to the people around them – family, friends, teachers.
Some of the influences explored in therapy are things your child may not be fully aware of themselves: past experiences, unconscious patterns, or feelings they haven't yet found words for. By bringing these into awareness – at a pace that feels safe for your child – therapy can help them feel less overwhelmed and develop healthier ways of coping with anxiety, stress, and emotional pressure.
Who can psychodynamic counselling help?
Counselling can support children and young people with a wide range of difficulties, including:
Anxiety or persistent worry
Low mood
Behavioural challenges
Difficulties in family or social relationships
Processing a significant life event or change
It isn't a quick fix, and it isn't the right fit for every child. That's why a free 20-minute consultation call is offered before any sessions are booked – giving families the opportunity to have an honest conversation about whether this approach feels right.
What counselling at Kids' Therapy Works looks like
Sessions take place at our Lakelands clinic in Stanway, Colchester. It’s a safe, contained, and supportive space where children and young people can explore their feelings at their own pace. There's no pressure to talk about anything before they're ready.
If you'd like to find out more, or think your child might benefit from some support, please get in touch via our counselling page. I'd be happy to have a chat.
Ellen Laughlin holds an MA in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy and works with children and young people experiencing anxiety, emotional difficulties, and relationship challenges. She is based at Kids' Therapy Works, Lakelands, Stanway, Colchester.
This post is part of the Children's Counselling Explained series, written to help parents understand the support available for their child's emotional wellbeing.
