The Benefits of Private Professional Help for Your Child
6/5/20254 min read
As parents, we all want our children to be happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient. But when your child struggles—whether it’s with anxiety, low self-esteem, big emotions, or ongoing behaviour changes—it can be hard to know when (or how) to step in.
One of the most powerful things you can do is to seek professional support. Yet many parents worry it might mean they’ve failed—or feel unsure where to turn. The truth is, asking for help is not only a sign of strength, it can be a game-changer for your child’s long-term mental and emotional wellbeing.
In this blog, we’ll explore why professional help is beneficial, the challenges with public mental health services, and the growing appeal of private, adapted coaching options that offer flexibility and control.
Why Professional Help Matters for Children
Children experience stress, sadness, fear, anger, and confusion—just like adults. But unlike adults, they often don’t have the words or tools to make sense of those emotions. This can lead to:
Withdrawn or clingy behaviour
Tantrums or aggression
Trouble at school
Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches
Sleep issues or low self-esteem
Professional support—whether from a child therapist, psychologist, or emotional wellbeing coach—can:
Help your child identify and understand their emotions
Offer safe, non-judgmental space to talk
Teach practical coping skills
Improve communication between parents and children
Support long-term emotional resilience and confidence
Sometimes, just a few sessions with the right professional can make a world of difference. It is not personal that a professional may make a difference that you as the parent may not be able to make (I know of parents that are qualified child therapists that seek external professional support for their child). Every individual plays a different role in your child's life, and it is our job to play the role of professional intervention and support, while it is your job to be everything else.
Barriers to Mental Health Support in Public Services
Many families first turn to public mental health services, school counsellors or local health programs. I was trained and worked for many years as a Child Wellbeing Practitioner for a public service, so I know first hand the limitations that we as workers have to face when delivering mental health support to children. While these services are vital and valuable, they often come with significant barriers:
1. Long Waiting Lists
It’s not uncommon to wait months or even over a year for an initial appointment, especially if the case is not deemed "urgent." During this time, a child’s symptoms may worsen, or parents may feel helpless.
2. Referral Criteria
Public services often require a formal diagnosis or significant risk factors to qualify for support. Children who are “struggling but functioning” may not meet the threshold for help, even if their distress is very real.
3. Limited Session Time or Flexibility
Once support is accessed, sessions may be limited in number, inflexible in timing, or not tailored to the family’s unique needs.
4. Lack of Personalisation
Public services are commissioned to deliver certain mental health interventions that are often based in 'data' rather than the child's personal experience.
The Benefits of Private, Adapted Coaching for Children and Families
In response to these gaps, many families are turning to private, child-centred emotional coaching or therapy that is more flexible, holistic, and proactive.
Here are the benefits of choosing private support:
Quick Access
Private coaching often allows for support without long waitlists, meaning children can get help when they need it—not months later.
Parent-Led and Collaborative
Many private coaches or therapists work in partnership with parents, offering updates, tools, and strategies that the whole family can use. You stay informed and involved.
Flexible Format
Sessions can be adapted to your child’s learning style—through talking, play, art, or movement—and offered in-person or online, at a pace that suits your family.
Focus on Early Support and Prevention
Private coaching doesn’t require a formal diagnosis. Children don’t need to be in crisis to benefit. The goal is to help them understand emotions, build confidence, and prevent issues from escalating.
Tailored to the Child
Private professionals can create customised plans based on your child’s personality, challenges, and goals—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Building Positive Associations
Your child's first experience with professional intervention is crucial. With a positive first experience, they learn to trust, seek help and accept help from professional during their life. Fun, personalised and tailored coaching is designed to be a positive experience for your child. And if it isn't, we adapt until it is!
“But what if my child doesn’t want to go?”
That’s normal. Many children feel nervous about talking to someone new, especially about their feelings. But with the right coach or therapist—someone warm, fun, and skilled at building trust—children often feel more relieved than resistant after the first session.
Explain it to them like this:
“This is someone who helps kids understand their feelings and find ways to feel better—kind of like a feelings coach. They’re really good at helping kids feel safe and strong.”
Final Thoughts
Getting professional help for your child isn’t about something being “wrong.” It’s about being proactive, informed, and giving your child every tool they need to thrive.
Whether you access support through public services or choose private coaching, the important thing is this: You’re not alone, and your child doesn’t have to figure it all out by themselves.
Sometimes, just one caring adult—outside the family—can change the way a child sees themselves and the world.