SUPPORTING PARENTS
contact SashaABOUT parent support
I work with parents and carers of children and teenagers — both neurotypical and neurodivergent.
I support families through online Zoom sessions and face-to-face appointments at my clinic in South Devon. I can also arrange an initial home visit, allowing me to meet your family and understand your child or teenager within the familiarity and comfort of their home environment.
I believe behaviour is never “bad” behaviour — it reflects a child’s difficulty coping in that moment, not a lack of willingness or character. Rather than focusing on controlling behaviour, I help parents understand what is driving it beneath the surface.
Together, we explore what may be getting in the way of your child or teenager thriving, while building stronger, calmer, and more connected relationships within the family.
What does parent support look like?
I work with PARENTS OF children and Teenagers who do not have a diagnosis and those who have a range of diagnoses such as:
- Autism
- ADHD
- PDA – Pathological Demand Avoidance
- ODD-Oppositional Defiance Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Separation Anxiety
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Social anxiety disorder/social phobia
The Behaviour We See
Your child might be displaying aggressive behaviour such as yelling and screaming, throwing things and being destructive, biting, kicking, hitting and destroying property.
We might see defiant behaviour, such as refusing to do what you ask, talking back, breaking rules, deliberately doing what is wrong, not participating in activities.
Or perhaps your child may show distracted behaviours such as struggling to complete tasks, easily overwhelmed, disorganised, needs constant monitoring, difficulty following instructions.
Or your child’s behaviours may be more hyperactive, they may jump on furniture, say inappropriate things, play rough, not sit still and need constant attention.
The Cause Behind The Behaviour
Behaviour is often a sign that a child is struggling, not a sign that they are “naughty.” Beneath challenging behaviours there is usually an underlying feeling, unmet need, or nervous system under stress.
A child may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, frightened, or emotionally overloaded. They may not yet have the skills, language, or emotional capacity to manage what is being asked of them. Their behaviour is often their way of communicating: “I’m struggling. I need help.”
What children need most in these moments is understanding, support, guidance, and connection — not punishment or shame.
Recognising both your child’s strengths and their challenges is the first step towards lasting change. When we shift our perspective away from seeing a child as “naughty,” “difficult,” “controlling,” or “aggressive,” and begin to see the stress, fear, anxiety, or overwhelm beneath the behaviour, everything changes.
From that place of understanding, we can respond differently, strengthen relationships, and create the conditions in which children and teenagers can truly thrive — allowing their strengths, resilience, and unique qualities to shine through.