The Children’s Wellness Centre

24/07/2025

Play-based therapy is a special kind of counselling therapy just for children.

Instead of sitting and talking like adults do in a counselling/therapy session, children express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play, creativity, art or story telling.

Through play, a trained therapist helps your child work through big emotions, life changes, anxiety, or behaviour challenges in a way that feels natural and safe. We currently offer sessions in both our branches for children aged 3 and over, in our dedicated ‘playrooms’.

22/07/2025

As the current academic year comes to an end, for some children this signals that they will be starting at a brand new school from September. This can be an exciting chance for children to make new friends, but it’s also natural for some to feel anxious about the change.

Supporting children to reflect on what makes a good friend can boost their confidence in forming new relationships and help them think about the kind of friend they want to be to others.

Over the summer holidays, it could be an idea to ask your child to write down five qualities that they believe are important in a good friend. Once they have completed their list, talk through the choices together. Which ones do they feel are most important, and why? What qualities do they think others would appreciate in them as a friend?

After the discussion, encourage them to write a new list of five top friendship qualities. They can stick with their original ideas or include suggestions they have heard during the conversation. This reflection can help them approach new social situations with greater clarity and self-assurance.

❤️

21/07/2025

As the school summer holidays begin, it is important to remember that it is completely natural for children to feel bored at times, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Boredom can encourage creativity, problem-solving, and self-direction, all of which are valuable life skills.

It gives children the opportunity to explore their own interests and learn how to structure their own time.

So if your child is saying “I’m bored,” it might just be part of a healthy, balanced break!

27/06/2025

♥️ Adolescent Counselling Space ♥️

Our therapy room in Kent, designed for counselling sessions for those aged 12 and over.

- designated talking space (either on the bean bags or at the table)
- arts and craft area
- game area
- clay/modelling area
- sand tray and small world area for self expression

So far the space has been well approved by our teen clients ☺️

26/06/2025

Occupational therapy (often referred to as OT) helps children do the everyday things they need to grow, learn, and thrive. Things like getting dressed, holding a pencil, playing with others, or staying focused.

If your child struggles with motor skills, sensory processing, attention, or independence, OT can help build those skills in fun, playful, and practical ways, all at their pace.

OT is about helping your child feel confident and capable in their world and is open to all, from toddlers through to to teenagers ❤️

26/06/2025

Emotion cards depicting real life children, not just cartoons, can really help in supporting some of our younger children learn more about their feelings and the associated vocabulary ♥️

We found these as a digital download on Etsy and can be great to use at home too.

24/06/2025

Summer dates for our ADHD screening service available in Kent.
Spaces are very limited and are currently 50% booked. Please do contact the Kent branch to book in: office@childrenswellnesscentre.co.uk

22/06/2025

ADHD can often present differently in girls than in boys. Because of this, many girls go undiagnosed or get diagnosed later and miss out on the support.

- Less Hyperactivity, More Inattentiveness
Girls with ADHD are sometimes more likely to daydream, seem “quiet,” or get lost in their thoughts, rather than being visibly hyperactive.

- Struggle with Emotional Regulation
They may experience intense emotions, anxiety, or mood swings that can be mistaken for “just being sensitive.”

- Masking and Social Challenges
Many girls work hard to hide their difficulties to fit in, which can lead to exhaustion and low self-esteem.

- High Expectations & Perfectionism
Some girls with ADHD may try to overcompensate, pushing themselves to be perfect, sometimes hiding their struggles even from themselves.

‘Masking’ can be common in girls with ADHD. This is when children consciously or unconsciously hide their symptoms to fit in and avoid standing out. Because their behaviours or needs can be different from their peers, many children feel pressure to “act typical” around friends, teachers, and family and this can be exhausting and overwhelming.

If you think your daughter is struggling, but perhaps not displaying ‘common’ ADHD traits, it might be worth talking to a specialist. Early understanding can make a huge difference.

14/06/2025

Speech Delay vs. Language Delay - What is the Difference?

These two terms get used a lot and often interchangeably, but they actually mean different things.

Speech Delay = Trouble with how words are said (sounds, clarity, pronunciation).

Your child might know what they want to say but has difficulty saying the words clearly or correctly.

Example: They say “tat” instead of “cat.”

Language Delay = Trouble with what is said and understood (vocabulary, sentence structure, understanding instructions).

Your child may not be using as many words as expected, or may struggle to follow directions.

Example: They don’t yet use 2–3 word phrases like “want juice” or don’t understand questions like “Where’s your coat?”

Some children experience both but with early support, most children can make incredible progress.

If you’re unsure which it might be for your child, a speech and language assessment can help and guide the best next steps.

11/06/2025

Catching the worms and feeding the birds! 🐦

This is a fantastic toy that promote a series of actions to develop fine motor skills, problem solving and patience.

It supports with visual integration (the ability to process visual information and use it to guide motor actions) something that many children we work with struggle with - and is a great resource for fun at home too!

10/06/2025

We are now looking ahead to the school summer holidays and are in the process of organising our assessments and blocks.

For Educational Psychology, ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia Assessments we liaise with schools - if you are wanting a summer assessment it is best to book this in now, so we can organise our school involvement before the end of term.

If you are wanting an intensive Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy summer block of sessions, we have some limited availability for these during August.

Please do contact either branch for more information:
Tunbridge Wells - 01892320087
Chiswick - 02080619947

The Children's Wellness Centre, is an Independent Children's Paediatric Practice, conveniently located in Kent and West London

05/06/2025

What is Masking in Children with ADHD and Autism?

Masking is when children with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD or autism consciously or unconsciously hide their symptoms to fit in and avoid standing out. Because their behaviours or needs can be different from their peers, many children feel pressure to “act typical” around friends, teachers, and family.

How Masking Shows Up:

Pretending to understand or pay attention even when they’re struggling

Copying others’ behaviours or social cues to blend in

Hiding challenges with communication, organisation, or sensory needs by working extra hard

Suppressing natural reactions or stimming behaviours to avoid being seen as “different”

Forcing smiles or agreement even when overwhelmed or anxious

Masking can be exhausting and stressful, leading to anxiety, low self-esteem, and burnout. Because of masking, many children with ADHD or autism are diagnosed late or not at all. They may appear to be “doing fine” on the outside, even when they’re struggling deeply inside.

Our team are highly experienced working with children who may be skilled at masking and is additionally another reason why we carry out a school or college observation for all children and young people having an ADHD assessment with us.

If you want any more information on how we can support your child, even if their needs may not be immediately obvious, please do contact us.