Child Psychologist in Tallinn
Up to 75% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25. Adolescence and early adulthood are marked by intense emotional and sociocultural changes: identity formation, social pressure
What is a child psychologist?
A child psychologist helps children and young people experiencing emotional difficulties, behavioural problems, anxiety, school difficulties or challenging life situations. If you notice changes in your child's mood, diffic
What concerns to bring to a child
psychologist?
Coping with family relationships and life changes
divorce, family tension, bereavement or other situations affecting the child's wellbeing
Emotional difficulties
anxiety, sadness, fears, excessive worrying or self-esteem issues
Behavioural and coping changes
restlessness, defiance, concentration difficulties, social problems or difficulties at school
Early counselling helps prevent problems from deepening and supports the child's development holistically.
What issues does a child psychologist help with?
Every child is unique and the approach is chosen according to their age, developmental level and needs. Families typically come to a child psychologist with the following concerns:
- child anxiety and panic attacks
- depression and mood disorders
- behavioural problems at home or school
- school stress and learning difficulties
- attention and concentration difficulties
- kiusamiskogemused
- adjusting to divorce or family changes
- adolescent self-esteem and identity questions
When to definitely seek help from a child psychologist?
Persistent sadness or anxiety
If a child has been feeling sad, worried or tense for a long time, this may start to affect their daily life.
Tip:
If a child has been sad, worried or tense for a longer period, they need calm and non-judgmental listening above all. An adult can offer support by creating a safe space where the child can share their feelings
Major mood swings or impulsivity
If a child has sudden mood swings or difficulty controlling impulses, this may be a sign of inner difficulties that need to be addressed.
Tip:
When there are strong mood swings or impulsivity, it is important for the adult to remain calm and consistent. The child needs boundaries but also understanding. Help them learn to pause and notice their feelings
Difficulties coping at home or school
Stress and anxiety can manifest as problems with homework, difficulty concentrating or school refusal.
Tip:
If a child struggles with learning, concentration or attending school, it is important to explore the reasons without blame. Ask open questions and work with the school. Help create a calm learning environment at home and
Social and communication difficulties
If a child finds it hard to make friends or socialise, or often withdraws, psychological support can help develop social skills.
Tip:
If a child finds it hard to make friends or socialise, an adult can model social skills. Practise social situations together through role play and discuss how to behave in different situations.
Behavioural problems or self-harming behaviour
Such signs definitely require professional intervention.
Tip:
In such situations it is important to react quickly and calmly. Do not focus only on the behaviour — try to understand what emotional need lies behind it. Clear boundaries are necessary, but so is
Life crises or major changes
Whether it is a separation, the loss of a loved one, a major change in life or school — any pressure can affect a child's balance.
Tip:
Divorce, moving home, the loss of a loved one or another major change can be very confusing for a child. An adult can help by talking about the situation honestly and in an age-appropriate way, answering questions and reassuring
How does a child psychologist support children?
Family and parent-based support
Parents receive support: understanding behaviour, practical feedback and home exercises, communication strategies
Safe and supportive therapy environment
The child psychologist creates a space where the child feels no judgement and can be open and honest.
Play-based and child-centred approach
With children, therapy does not rely solely on talk. Methods used include: play, visuals, movement, creative exercises.
What does a child psychology appointment look like?
Frequently asked questions
How long does child psychological support last?
The duration of child psychological support depends on the child's individual needs, the nature of the concern and the goals set. There is no fixed timeframe — the length of the process is shaped together with the child and parent
How often does the child meet with a psychologist?
The frequency of meetings is agreed according to the child's situation, the nature of the concern and the goals set. Typically sessions take place once a week or once every two weeks to ensure continuity
From what age can a child see a psychologist?
A child psychologist can be seen from a young age, including pre-school if needed. Even young children can experience anxiety, sleep problems, strong tantrums, separation difficulties or behavioural changes that require
With younger children the focus is often on parent counselling, because the child's coping is closely linked to the home environment and the way parents respond. Often small everyday changes bring
Adolescents are more often seen individually, but collaboration with parents remains important. A holistic approach that takes into account both the young person's and the family's needs supports balanced development and lasting change
How quickly can you get an appointment with a child psychologist?
Availability depends on how full the specific specialist's schedule is. If the situation is not urgent, the process can be started calmly and thoughtfully.
In urgent situations — for example if a child is expressing thoughts of self-harm, has hurt themselves, or there is a serious emotional crisis — please seek emergency help immediately
The general principle is that the earlier you seek help, the easier it is to address difficulties and the shorter the overall process may be. Even smaller or emerging concerns are a sufficient reason to consult. Early
Where does counselling take place?
In Tallinn at Narva mnt 7
Online as remote counselling
Collaboration with parents
Collaboration with parents is a central part of child psychology work.
Supporting a child's wellbeing and development is most effective when the child is surrounded by a unified and supportive environment where parents understand the child's needs and can respond to them thoughtfully.
How does psychological counselling help a parent?
Finding balance between your own and your child's needs
A parent learns to notice their own stress levels, set healthy boundaries and also take care of their own mental health — because a calm parent raises a calm child.
Understanding the reasons behind your child's behaviour
A psychologist helps you see what lies behind the child's emotions and reactions, and how a parent can guide these calmly and supportively.
Learning to support your child through empathy and conscious communication
Counselling is based on evidence-based methods (e.g. emotionally aware parenting, family therapy principles).
Research shows
Research confirms that parental awareness and timely support-seeking are of decisive importance for a child's mental health and sense of security.
Recent research shows that enam kui 8 lapsevanemat 10-st feel concerned at least occasionally about their child's behaviour, emotions or developmental difficulties
On leitud, et more than half of parents (57%) experience symptoms of parental burnout — persistent fatigue, anxiety or the feeling that they are unable to provide enough support for their child.
(Ohio State University, 2024)
Umbes 75% vanematest admit that they sometimes feel ebakindlalt oma lapse kasvatamiselning vajaksid juhendamist, kuidas lapsega keerulistes olukordades toime tulla.
There is a direct link between parental sensitivity and child wellbeing. Children whose parents respond to their emotions calmly and consistently develop better socially and academically.
(Ainsworth, 1979; Baumrind, 1991)
Psychological support for parents reduces the risk of a child's anxiety and behavioural problems. Early counselling helps prevent mental health difficulties in children and strengthens family relationships.
(National Institute of Mental Health, 2022)
Parent counselling improves the overall functioning of the family and the child's self-regulation. Meta-analyses have shown that supporting parenting is one of the most effective ways to improve child wellbeing.
(Sanders et al., 2014; WHO, 2022)
Umbes 75% vanematest admit that they sometimes feel ebakindlalt oma lapse kasvatamiselning vajaksid juhendamist, kuidas lapsega keerulistes olukordades toime tulla.
There is a direct link between parental sensitivity and child wellbeing. Children whose parents respond to their emotions calmly and consistently develop better socially and academically.
(Ainsworth, 1979; Baumrind, 1991)
Seeking help from a child psychologist early helps identify and address concerns before they deepen and begin to affect the child's daily life and development.
For parents – what to know
Collaboration with a psychologist is a partnership
A psychologist does not replace the parent but provides support and tools to use in everyday life.
Listen, notice and acknowledge
Notice small changes in your child's behaviour and emotions, and acknowledge the child's attempts to express their feelings.
Be consistent
Piiride seadmine ja rutiin aitavad luua lapsele turvatunnet, sest need annavad selguse ja etteaimatavuse.
It is extremely important to address mental health difficulties as early as possible, because
the longer things go on, the more unpleasant symptoms tend to develop, which become increasingly
raskem ravida.
So if you feel that something is probably not right or that things are unreasonably difficult with your child,
do seek a consultation with a child psychologist for a closer assessment.
Seek a psychologist when:
- su lapsel on suhtlemis- ja kontaktiprobleem,
- laps on ebakindel,
- the child has behavioural difficulties,
- the child or family has experienced traumatic events,
- kohanemisraskused,
- laps puutub kokku koolikiusamisega,
- mood disorders,
- any other mental health disorder,
- attention and concentration difficulties,
- difficulties achieving school readiness,
- learning difficulties,
- psychosomatic symptoms (enuresis, encopresis, tics, etc.),
- sleep disorders,
- hyperactivity,
- stress, anxiety and stress related to self-image,
- ebakindlus iseenda suhtes,
- soov saada teadlikumat enesepilti,
- many failures or negative events have occurred during a life period.
Parent and parenting counselling
We offer parents support in raising their child and help parents better understand the child and their behaviour. In counselling, the parent has the opportunity to reflect on their child's behaviour and consider together with the counsellor various
Help can be sought when a parent is struggling, for example, with managing the child's behaviour, a specific behavioural problem or teaching new skills, or when the child has encountered difficulties at school
return to work) etc.
Sessions are conversation-based and cover: promoting parenting skills, supporting the parent-child relationship, supporting the child's positive self-image and behaviour, supporting healthy family functioning, developing coping and/or
All children, young people and parents are welcome to our psychologist. The frequency of individual counselling sessions depends on the agreement between the client and the counsellor, typically 1–2 times a week. Session
For parent and parenting counselling, the parent(s) are welcome to the first appointment without
the child; the possible involvement of the child will be discussed at the first meeting.
In Russian, appointments for adults, parents and young people are available with psychologist Antonina Kiseleva, who can be booked siit.siin
Growth counselling
We offer parents support in developing parenting skills, supporting the parent-child relationship, supporting the child's positive self-image and behaviour, supporting healthy family functioning, developing coping and/or
The aim is to provide parents with support in raising their child and help the parent better understand the child and their behaviour. In parenting counselling, the parent has the opportunity to reflect on their child's behaviour and consider together with the counsellor the pros and cons of different parenting approaches in a specific situation. Help can be sought when a parent struggles with managing a child's behaviour, a specific behavioural problem or teaching new skills, or when difficulties have arisen at school or kindergarten. Also when major changes occur in family life — moving, changes in family composition (someone leaving or joining), changes in daily routine (a parent returning to work), etc. For parenting counselling, the parent(s) are welcome to the first appointment without the child; the possible involvement of the child will be discussed at the first meeting.
