Animal-Assisted Child Therapy & School Therapy Dog Services
Helping children find their calm. One paw at a time.
At Calming Paws Therapy, we provide counselling and animal-assisted therapy for children, teenagers and young people in Bayside Melbourne. Through evidence-informed counselling and the calming presence of accredited therapy dog Winnie, we help young people feel safe, understood and confident as they navigate life's challenges.
Our Services
Gentle, child-centred counselling supporting children and adolescents with anxiety, emotional regulation, confidence, friendships and everyday life challenges.
Animal-assisted counselling combines counselling with the calming presence of accredited therapy dog Winnie to help children feel calm, safe and engaged.
Therapy dog–assisted wellbeing sessions for schools, workplaces and community groups, supporting emotional wellbeing, resilience and connection.
Counselling for teenagers navigating the ups and downs of adolescence, from changing emotions and friendships to school pressures, confidence and relationships.
Helping young people understand their emotions, strengthen resilience and develop practical strategies for managing challenges at home, at school and in everyday life.
Why Choose Calming Paws Therapy?
At Calming Paws Therapy, children and adolescents are supported through compassionate, evidence-informed counselling tailored to their individual needs. Where appropriate, sessions can be enhanced through the calming presence of accredited therapy dog Winnie, helping young people feel safe, connected and engaged.
With extensive experience in counselling, education and school wellbeing, we work collaboratively with families and schools to support emotional growth, resilience and confidence.
We Can Help With:
Anxiety and worry
School anxiety and school refusal
Emotional regulation
Confidence and self-esteem
Friendship challenges
Big emotions
Family changes
Building resilience
Supporting Children and Young People in Bayside Melbourne
Finding the right support can make a meaningful difference when a child or young person is finding things difficult. Whether you've searched online for child counselling, a child therapist, kids counselling or a child counsellor finding the right support for your child is important. Calming Paws Therapy provides a warm and welcoming space where children can feel comfortable being themselves.
My child therapy services are tailored to each child's individual needs, interests and developmental stage. For children experiencing ongoing worries or anxiety, child anxiety therapy can provide a gentle space to understand their feelings and develop practical strategies that can help.
As children grow, the challenges they face can change. Teenage counselling provides space to explore the pressures and experiences of adolescence, while youth counselling supports young people as they develop greater understanding of themselves, their emotions and the world around them.
The presence of Winnie can also be incorporated into animal assisted therapy, providing another way for children to connect and engage in counselling. If you've found Calming Paws Therapy while searching online for ‘dog therapy near me,’ you can learn more about how Winnie may be incorporated into individual counselling sessions. Calming Paws also offers school therapy dog wellbeing sessions for schools and organisations.
Based in Highett, Calming Paws Therapy supports families throughout Bayside, including Hampton, Sandringham, Cheltenham, Moorabbin and Brighton.
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