Counselling at CLIMB Learning
COUNSELLING WITH CLARE
Emotional Support for Children and Families on the Early Intervention Journey
At CLIMB Learning, counselling is an important part of our holistic approach to early intervention. Many families navigating developmental delays, disability, or a recent diagnosis benefit from additional emotional support—for both the child and the wider family unit.
Expertise
Clare is a highly experienced Child and Family Counsellor who works alongside children, parents, carers, and siblings to strengthen emotional wellbeing, develop coping skills, and build family resilience. Her work is grounded in evidence-based approaches and adapted to meet the unique developmental, sensory, and behavioural needs of each child.
Collaboration
Sessions are flexible and may include storytelling, art, sensory play, symbolic games, or quiet connection, whatever supports your child’s needs and preferences. Parents and carers are included in the process where helpful, with Clare always working to build strong home-school-therapy links to support generalisation of emotional and behavioural skills.
Connection
Children often arrive at counselling unsure of what to expect. Clare creates a warm, engaging space where children can play, create, talk, or simply be themselves. Through consistent, attuned connection, children gradually learn to trust, express themselves, and explore difficult emotions in a supported, developmentally appropriate way.
Child-Focused Counselling
Children with developmental differences, disabilities, or social-emotional challenges often benefit from a consistent therapeutic relationship outside of home, school, or therapy environments. Counselling supports children to explore feelings safely and learn new ways of coping, expressing, and connecting.
Clare offers a child-centred approach that supports:
Sessions use both directive and non-directive methods depending on the child’s profile and preferences. Therapeutic tools include play-based strategies, visual supports, narrative therapy, and developmentally appropriate prompts.
Sibling Support through Counselling
Siblings of children with developmental delays or disabilities often experience complex emotions that can be difficult to express. They may feel confused, overlooked, frustrated, or unsure of their role in the family. Clare offers supportive counselling for siblings to process these experiences in a safe, child-led environment.
Sibling sessions can help:
Counselling creates space for siblings to feel heard and valued, helping them build positive identity and emotional strength alongside their family’s support needs.
Parent and Carer Support
Counselling provides a dedicated space for parents and carers to explore their own experiences and challenges when supporting a child with developmental needs. Adjusting to a diagnosis, managing therapy appointments, parenting siblings with different needs, or navigating co-parenting arrangements can all be complex and emotionally demanding.
Through counselling, parents and carers gain tools to:
Collaboration with Families
Family involvement is encouraged to ensure therapy outcomes are practical and transferable to everyday routines. Depending on the child’s age and needs, parents or carers may be invited into sessions or receive end-of-session updates.
Therapy goals are often set in collaboration with the family and reviewed over time to ensure continued alignment with broader developmental and functional goals.
Therapeutic Approaches
Clare uses a flexible, evidence-based approach tailored to the needs of each child and family. Her work draws on the following therapeutic frameworks:
Person-Centred Therapy
This approach creates a safe, non-judgmental space where children and parents are respected as the experts in their own lives. The focus is on building trust, empathy, and positive regard to help clients explore thoughts and feelings at their own pace.
Narrative Therapy
This model helps children make sense of their experiences through storytelling. Clare supports children to “re-author” their stories—moving from problem-focused thinking toward identity-building, strength, and meaning-making. It’s particularly useful for grief, trauma, or adjusting to diagnosis.
Play-Based Therapy
Play is a child’s natural language. Clare uses toys, games, art, sandplay, and symbolic play to help children express what they might not yet have words for. Through play, children can explore feelings, develop coping skills, and work through challenges in a safe, supported space.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps children and adults notice unhelpful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It encourages flexibility, mindfulness, and taking action in line with personal values, even when things feel hard. Clare uses ACT to support emotional regulation and build resilience.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Adapted for Children
DBT offers practical tools for managing big emotions, improving relationships, and making thoughtful decisions. Skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation are taught in ways that are age-appropriate and engaging.
Each approach is used thoughtfully based on the child’s developmental profile, family goals, and therapeutic needs. Clare often blends these models in creative and individualised ways, ensuring therapy is both effective and engaging.
NDIS and Allied Health Integration
Clare works closely with families accessing NDIS supports. She sees both plan-managed and self-managed participants and aligns her work with goals outlined in existing plans.
Counselling is integrated into the broader therapy team at CLIMB to support holistic outcomes for children with:
Access and Session Details
Confidentiality is upheld with care, and all clients are informed of privacy protocols and legal limitations during the intake process. Records are securely maintained and no information is shared without consent.
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Let’s work together to help children reach their unique potential.
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