Helping Your Child Talk About Their Feelings
A guide for parents and caregivers of children aged 7–17

​Children don’t always have the words to express how they feel. Sometimes their emotions come out as behaviours—tantrums, withdrawal, clinginess, or defiance. Whether your child explodes or shuts down, this guide will help you support them in recognising, naming, and expressing their emotions in healthy ways.
​
Developing emotional intelligence early sets the foundation for resilience, healthy relationships, and lifelong wellbeing.
🧠 Why Talking About Feelings Matters
Learning to talk about feelings is an important step in developing emotional intelligence. When children can identify and express their emotions:
  • They’re less likely to act out through behaviour
  • They build stronger relationships
  • They cope better with stress and change
Helping your child talk about their feelings is a powerful gift.
💬 Starting the Conversation
1. Use open-ended questions:
Instead of “Did you have a good day?”, try:
  • “What was the best part of your day?”
  • “Was there anything tricky today?”

2. Reflect what you see:
If your child is quiet or upset:
  • “You seem a bit off today. Want to talk about it?”
  • “I noticed you were really quiet after school—was something bothering you?”

3. Use non-verbal tools:
Some children find talking hard. Try:
  • Drawing a “feelings thermometer”
  • Using cards with emotion faces
  • Asking them to draw or write about how they feel

4. Make talking about emotions a group activity:
It's easier to talk about how you feel when others are doing the same. Try:
  • Over dinner playing ‘Best Bit - Worst Bit’, discussing the best & worst bits of the day.
  • Have a nightly recap of how everyone felt their day went.
  • Help each other regulate emotions in front of your child to demonstrate.
💬 Conversation Starters for Different Age Groups
Children often need help getting beyond “fine” or “nothing.” Try these age-appropriate openers:
​
Ages 7–10
  • “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”
  • “If your feelings had colours, what colour are you right now?”
  • “What’s one thing you wish grown-ups understood about kids?”

Ages 11–13
  • “What’s been the most challenging part of your week?”
  • “When you’re upset, what helps you feel better?”
  • “Who do you talk to when something’s bothering you?”

Ages 14–17
  • “How’s your mental health lately—any stress or pressure?”
  • “Is there anything you’re carrying that you wish you could let go of?”
  • “What’s one thing that would make life easier right now?”

Let the conversation flow naturally. Silence is okay—just stay curious and present.
🗣️ Phrases to Try
Instead of...
Try saying...

Instead of... “Stop crying”              Try saying...“It’s okay to feel upset. I’m here.”

Instead of... “You’re fine”                Try saying...“That looked like it hurt—are you okay?”

Instead of... “Don’t be scared”      Try saying... “Being scared is normal sometimes. Want to talk about it?”

Instead of...  “Calm down”             Try saying...  “Let’s take a few deep breaths together.”
🧩 Activities to Help Children Express Emotions
These creative strategies help children express feelings when words fall short:

💡 Feelings Thermometer
Draw a thermometer and label it with emotion levels (calm, frustrated, angry, etc.). Ask your child to mark where they are during the day and what might help them “cool down.”

💡 Emotion Wheel
Use a colourful feelings wheel with words like sad, excited, bored, worried, proud. Ask your child to pick what fits—or spin the wheel and talk about that feeling.

💡 “Draw My Day”
Invite them to draw two pictures: something good and something tricky about their day. Use the drawings as conversation starters.

💡 Emotion Charades
​Take turns acting out emotions and guessing. It’s a fun, non-verbal way to explore how emotions feel and look.
🛑 When to Seek Support
If your child:
  • Is regularly overwhelmed by their emotions
  • Withdraws from family, friends, or school
  • Has frequent outbursts or shutdowns
  • Shows changes in sleep, appetite, or motivation
    …it may be time to speak with a counsellor.

You don’t need to wait for a crisis—early support makes a big difference.
👨‍👩‍👧 Need a Hand?
Our counsellor, Harvie, supports children and teens through play-based and talk therapy approaches.
We offer a free 30-minute session to meet and see if counselling feels right.
Our Values in Practice
At Belong Health, we prioritise compassion, integrity, and empowerment in our approach to Counselling. Our goal is to support you in fostering positive behaviour in your child, no matter your location. Whether you’re in Mandurah, Rockingham, Perth Metro, or connecting via Telehealth anywhere in Australia we are committed to offering personalised care and ongoing guidance to help you achieve the best outcomes.
Meet Harvie – Your Counselling Partner
Harvie, our dedicated counsellor, brings a wealth of experience in supporting clients across all age groups. His client and family-centred approach focuses on:
  • Building Emotional Awareness: Helping clients understand their emotions and reactions.
  • Developing Coping Strategies: Equipping individuals with tools to manage life's challenges.
  • Fostering Personal Growth: Encouraging self-discovery and personal development.

Harvie is currently accepting new clients and is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all.

Get Started with a Free 30-Minute Session
We understand the importance of finding the right counsellor. That's why we offer a no-obligation, in-person meet-and-greet session at our Falcon clinic. This session allows you to:
  • Share Your Goals: Discuss what you hope to achieve through counselling.
  • Explore Our Approach: Learn about our therapy methods and how they can benefit you.
  • Decide if It's the Right Fit: Determine if Harvie's approach aligns with your needs—completely pressure-free
 To secure your spot, please fill out the our enquiry form or phone us ​
Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
Below are our Counselling Free Resources
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Children: A Parent's Guide
Learn how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps children manage emotions, build resilience, and improve problem-solving skills. Explore key ACT principles and practical strategies parents can use to support their child's emotional well-being.

Behaviour Change Tips for Parents
Learn effective behaviour management tips for children. Discover how to use positive reinforcement, set contingencies, and be consistent to encourage positive behaviour and reduce challenges

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Children with ASD and ADHD: A Parent's Guide
Learn how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps children with Autism (ASD) & ADHD improve emotional regulation, social skills, and focus. A complete parent guide with practical tips.

Common Symptoms of Grief
Learn about the common symptoms of grief, including emotional and physical responses, and discover coping strategies for both adults and children, including those with ASD.

Escalations and You
​ Learn how to effectively manage emotional escalations in children with disabilities. Discover practical tips for caregivers on how to stay calm, support the child, and care for themselves post-escalation.

Guides about Counselling and if Counselling is right for you
Navigating the challenges of parenthood and childhood can be overwhelming. At Belong Health, our counselling services provide essential support for both parents and children facing emotional difficulties, behavioural concerns, and family dynamics. Our qualified counsellors specialize in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, communication breakdowns, and academic struggles. Whether you’re seeking guidance for your child’s emotional well-being or looking for strategies to enhance family relationships, our counselling sessions offer a safe and supportive environment to explore feelings, develop coping skills, and foster resilience. Discover how our tailored counselling interventions can empower your family and promote positive change in your lives.​

5 Signs You May Benefit From Counselling
Explore common signs that indicate counselling might help—plus what to expect in your first session.

Helping Your Child Talk About Their Feelings
​This guide helps parents support their child’s emotional wellbeing, with practical tips, conversation starters, and when to consider counselling.
​
What Counselling Looks Like in Later Life
Understand how counselling can support seniors through grief, life transitions, retirement, and emotional wellbeing.
Home Therapy Packs
At Belong Health, we are dedicated to providing tailored support that meets the unique needs of each child. Developed by our Paediatric Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Counsellor our Home Therapy Packs are specifically designed to align with NDIS goals, offering flexible, practical, and engaging activities for children at home.
To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, specifically designed to support communication development at home.
​Your Support​ Matters
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Your feedback helps us continue to provide support and information that benefits our community.
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​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  
Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 
Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

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