Real families
In their own words.
Three families' journeys told in full, and the notes parents and young people have sent along the way.
Rose, age 9 · separation anxiety
Rose came to Sandra struggling with separation anxiety and a fear that something bad would happen to her mum. The worries had spread: out-of-date food, being sick, getting things wrong at school. She coped with compulsive checking and hand-washing, and found more and more reasons not to go to school. Behind it sat a hard early childhood: severe eczema from age three, broken sleep and night terrors, missed school and social life, and the sudden death of her grandfather when she was four.
The work combined one-to-one sessions with Rose, sessions with her parents, and parent-child work together. Within six weeks Rose was less anxious. Her parents saw the ways they had been feeding the worry without meaning to, and learned to hold steadier boundaries while still acknowledging her struggles. After six months, Rose could enjoy life without the worries taking over, speak up at school when something bothered her, and fall asleep on her own. Her mum can go out without Rose fearing the worst, and her parents have their evenings back.
"Her panic attacks have gone and she is now able to deal with her separation anxieties more rationally. As a family we can articulate feelings head on rather than skirting around issues."
Rose's parents
Lukas, age 12 · anxiety, control, and a discovery
Lukas's parents asked for help with his high anxiety at home and at school. It showed up as controlling and demanding behaviour and difficulty seeing other people's perspectives, which strained friendships and family life. He was too anxious to sleep alone; his father had been sleeping beside him for six months.
Creative therapeutic work eased the anxiety, but the struggles with relationships and instructions remained. So, together with his parents, Sandra opened a careful question: might Lukas be neurodivergent? The process let his parents see his behaviour in a completely different light. Working through the specific situations that kept sparking conflict, home life became less demanding and more manageable. Lukas has since been diagnosed with ADHD and now gets the right support at school and at home.
"We now understand where his anxiety is coming from and how we can support him. He has even started to sleep by himself. What a relief!"
Lukas's parents
Hanna & Louise · two parents, one rule book
Hanna and Louise, committed and overstretched mums of three children under four, were struggling with their son's challenging behaviour, and with each other: raised under different parenting styles, one nurturing and one firmer, they kept arguing about discipline.
The work centred on what their son's behaviour was asking for, his need to feel connected, and on their own upbringings and strengths. They found that both styles had value as long as they worked as a team. With small interventions, one-to-one time with each child, encouraging effort, naming feelings, his behaviour began to change. Four sessions in, mealtimes were calmer, the arguments about parenting had faded, and they were appreciating each other's strengths again.
"We are not perfect but we are clearly better equipped to deal with toddler behaviours and better at talking to them."
Hanna & Louise
From the young people
The kids said it too.
Age 9
counselling
"At first I didn't want to do counselling but now I think it's really good, as it has helped me become more confident in speaking and discussing my emotions."
Age 14
counselling
"The sessions helped me to open up with my sisters and to recognise that we share the same experience. This has brought us much closer, which is really great!"
Age 8
via her mum
"My daughter feels she has learned a lot through her sessions about how to deal with her feelings. She's found it really useful to talk to someone about what's going on."
From parents
About the counselling.
Boram M.
Google review
"I highly recommend Sandra Singer. She is thorough, caring, and attentive, taking the time to listen and understand what the client is going through. Her compassionate and thoughtful approach and guidance have made a real difference. Thank you very much for your support!"
Parents of a 7-year-old
anxiety
"Our son was in such an anxious place when we began and the shift after speaking to you was absolutely amazing. It's been really good for him to have a positive experience with counselling."
Tina, mum of a 13-year-old
a hard season
"Thank you Sandra! Our son could not have handled the last few months without you."
Mum of a 16-year-old
reconnection
"We are now able to enjoy each other's company again. At times I even see glimpses of the old (happy) daughter I remember."
Parents of a 7-year-old
anger & feelings
"She's worked with him on dealing with anger and expressing feelings. Sandra goes above and beyond with care for the people she works with."
Rebecca, mum of a 10-year-old
a fresh approach
"It's been lovely getting to know you and we really appreciate all your help and support, such a fresh approach and very helpful."
Parents of a 10-year-old
seeing change
"Thank you so much for helping our daughter! We can really see the changes you've helped to bring about in her."
From parents
About the parent work.
Irene, mum of a 5-year-old
parent coaching
"It has been really helpful to talk things through and get some new tools to deal with this parenting lark! It's amazing to think how desperate I became towards the end of last year and how different things are now."
Hassan, father of a 9-year-old
parent-child sessions
"After each joint session my daughter and I feel both connected and invigorated. Thank you!"
Mum of a 6-year-old
joint sessions
"The joint sessions helped him to express his feelings verbally instead of showing his frustrations. The sessions also helped me as a mum to realise how my behaviour triggered him and how to change this around."
Mum of a 6-year-old
guilt, lifted
"It is easy to always feel guilty as a parent but these sessions have given me an insight into my strengths as a mum and that not all is negative."
Father of two daughters
calmer days
"My default to situations of challenge and stress was a short temper and shouting. Now it feels like a weight has been taken away from me and I can talk and react calmly and with empathy towards my kids."
J & P, parents of 4-year-old twins
a unified team
"We have found a good balance, by being more mindful of our communication and expectations, and by working to create a unified environment as parents."