The Youth Fairy Brighton and Hove

The Youth Fairy Brighton and Hove A modern, solution focused approach to positive change for Children and Teens.

We are Gisele and Lisa Jane, therapists at The Youth Fairy, a team of Solution Focused therapists dedicated to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and teenagers suffering from anxiety, stress, anger, emotional regulation and low confidence. Mental health in young people is something that is close to both our hearts and we have a passion for empowering children to think

more positively, value themselves, recognise their strengths and capabilities and support them in navigating the challenges they might face on the way to reaching their full potential. We both offer a complimentary 1 hour, initial consultation face-to-face in Central Brighton or Hove, during which our main focus will be on your child; discussing their current situation, their best hopes for the therapy and how we can collaborate to bring about positive changes to support them in achieving their goals. As well as helping your child make positive changes with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, educating them on their well-being is something we know to be an important part of the change process. So, during the consultation, we'll also take the time to explain how the brain works in an age-appropriate and child-friendly manner, helping children understand why they might be experiencing certain emotions and symptoms. This psychoeducational element to our approach can be really motivational to children as they realise there is hope, see more clearly what we can do about it and supports them in developing more positive, healthy habits for life. This knowledge is super helpful for you as a parent too - it allows for greater understanding, creates a common language to talk more easily with your child about their well-being and gives you specific ideas of how you can best support the process (and beyond). You’ll also get a relaxation audio download to help improve any sleep problems they are having and support the process. You can feel reassured your child is in an experienced and safe pair of hands; in addition to being therapists, we collectively have over 35+ years of experience working with young people in various settings. Gisele, as a Montessori Practitioner and in primary schools and Lisa as a T.A in a school for children with severe learning difficulties. Lisa also supported young people in a FE College for 16-19 year olds, focusing on developing independence and functions skills. We are both fully insured, have an up-to-date Enhanced DBS certificate and are members of the following professional bodies:

• National Board for Modern Psychotherapy (NBMP)
• Association For Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
• Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

🚶‍♀️💤 Has your child ever wandered the house while asleep or held a full conversation they couldn't remember the next mo...
02/09/2026

🚶‍♀️💤 Has your child ever wandered the house while asleep or held a full conversation they couldn't remember the next morning?

Sleepwalking and sleep talking can feel surprising (and sometimes a little worrying), but they're actually very common in childhood and are usually a normal part of brain development.

In our latest blog, we explore:
✨ What sleepwalking and sleep talking really are
🧠 The fascinating neuroscience behind why they happen
💛 Why they're often nothing to worry about
🌙 Practical ways to support your child and improve sleep quality
🏡 Simple safety tips for parents

Understanding what's happening in your child's brain can help these night time adventures feel a lot less scary and a lot more manageable.

Read the full blog here 👇
https://www.theyouthfairy.com/sleepwalking-sleep-talking-children/

01/09/2026

Writing down your thoughts and feelings doesn't have to be negative, even if what you need to say feels difficult 😫

We encourage children and young people not to spend too much time dwelling on past problems, replaying upsetting situations, or holding on to anger.

But that doesn't mean ignoring difficult feelings. In fact, expressing how you feel can be a really positive action.

Writing a letter you never intend to send can allow you to say what you wanted to say, acknowledge how something made you feel, have a cry if you need to, and then begin to shift your attention towards what you want next.

You could write to:
✨ Someone who has upset you
✨ Your worries or anxiety
✨ Your younger self
✨ Your future self
✨ Someone you miss
✨ Or simply yourself

The important part isn't sending the letter; it's permitting yourself to express what's there.

We talk a lot about the 3Ps – positive actions, positive interactions and positive thoughts. And being positive doesn't mean pretending everything is fine or never feeling sad, angry or upset.

Sometimes the positive action is recognising 'this hurt me', or 'this is how I feel', and finding a healthy way to express it before deciding where you'd like your attention and energy to go next.

Because there's a difference between expressing a feeling and getting stuck in it.

So write it down. Say what you need to say. Have a good cry if you need one. And when you're ready, ask yourself:

👉What would I like to happen next to move forward more positively from this situation.

Imagine your child's brain 🧠 is changing gears between deep sleep and being awake.Usually, the whole brain changes toget...
31/08/2026

Imagine your child's brain 🧠 is changing gears between deep sleep and being awake.

Usually, the whole brain changes together. But with sleep talking and sleepwalking, only part of the brain makes the transition.

The areas controlling movement become active enough for your child to sit up, walk or talk, while the parts responsible for thinking, awareness and memory remain asleep. That's why they may seem awake, but they're not and it's one of the reasons sleepwalking can look so convincing, even though your child is still deeply asleep 😴😴

Although these episodes can feel alarming for parents, they're very common in children and are usually harmless. Keeping a regular sleep routine, reducing overtiredness and making the home safe are often the most effective ways to manage them.

Understanding what's happening inside your child's brain can make these strange night time behaviours feel a little less frightening 🧚

😃Good Morning from Devils d**e. Making the most of a dry sunny spell.☀️A cuppa and an Almond croissant with a view. Grea...
30/08/2026

😃Good Morning from Devils d**e. Making the most of a dry sunny spell.☀️
A cuppa and an Almond croissant with a view.
Great way to start a Sunday 🥐☕️

What are you up to today?

28/08/2026

Some of the most common soundbites we hear about self-esteem miss what’s actually going on. Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It's based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves.

In this reel, we're busting some of the biggest myths about self-esteem to help parents support their children in ways that really make a difference.

Which myth surprised you the most? Let us know below. 💜

🧚🏻Did you know I work with parents too? As a parent juggling work and family life it’s so important to look after yourse...
28/08/2026

🧚🏻Did you know I work with parents too? As a parent juggling work and family life it’s so important to look after yourself.

🧚🏻This weeks post comes from Pam, who was struggling with sleep, anxiety and confidence.

You can read her full testimonial below 👇🏻

I approached the process with an open mind and a desperation to overcome my sleep problems.Lisa explains clearly how our go to thought processes can have a detrimental effect on our mood and daily lives. She explains how we can rewire our brains to approach every day with a more positive of mind which in turn reduces anxiety. The strategies I learnt were a game changer and I find myself easily revisiting them if I do start to feel particularly negative or stressed/anxious re sleep. I approach sleep with much less anxiety, more relaxed and am sleeping better. I should have tried this years ago. Thank you Lisa!

The end of the holidays can bring excitement… and for some children, a wave of back-to-school nerves. 🎒😟If your child is...
27/08/2026

The end of the holidays can bring excitement… and for some children, a wave of back-to-school nerves. 🎒😟

If your child is feeling anxious about returning to school, worrying about new teachers, routines, or classmates, you’re not alone. Anxiety at this time is very common, and there are gentle ways to help them feel more confident. 🧠✨

In our latest Parent Pad blog, we explore practical, solution-focused tips for easing back-to-school anxiety, including:
🌟 How to talk about what to expect
🌟 Breaking the transition into small steps
🌟 Keeping a few comforting routines
🌟 Noticing effort and bravery

Even small steps can make a big difference in helping your child feel calm, capable, and ready for the new term. 🌱

Read the full blog here 👇
https://www.theyouthfairy.com/calm-back-to-school-anxiety/

26/08/2026

When anxiety takes over, it's difficult for children to think clearly because their brain 🧠 is focused on staying safe. Gentle, playful calming techniques can help bring them back to the present moment.

Here are three you can try together:
1️⃣Flower & Bubbles
Ask your child to imagine they're holding a beautiful flower in one hand and a bubble wand in the other. Breathe in slowly through the nose to "smell the flower", then breathe out gently through the mouth to "blow the bubbles". Repeat a few times, keeping each breath slow and steady.

2️⃣The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
Help your child reconnect with what's around them by naming:
• 5 things they can see
• 4 things they can touch
• 3 things they can hear
• 2 things they can smell
• 1 thing they can taste
This gently shifts their attention away from anxious thoughts and back into the present moment.

3️⃣Making Lemonade
Have your child pretend that they are picking lemons from a tree. Reach up high, grab a lemon, then squeeze it as tightly as they can by making a strong fist. Throw it to the ground, relax their hands, and repeat. The combination of movement, muscle tension and relaxation can help release built-up stress.

Remember, these techniques work best when they're practised regularly, not just in moments of worry. The more familiar they become, the easier they'll be to use when anxiety appears 😀

If your child is struggling with anxiety, you don't have to navigate it alone, get in touch to discuss how I can help 🧚

25/08/2026

Anxiety about going back to school can show up in many different ways.

I am here to talks you through some of the behaviours your child might be displaying as the end of the holidays approaches 🧚

If your child is already saying things like..."I don't want to go back." "What if nobody plays with me?" or "What if I c...
24/08/2026

If your child is already saying things like...
"I don't want to go back." "What if nobody plays with me?" or "What if I can't do the work?"...please know this is more common than you might think 😢

For many children, the anticipation is far scarier than the reality, but rather than trying to convince them that "everything will be fine", try helping them build confidence one small step at a time 🤯

Our Parent Toolkit is full of simple ideas to reduce uncertainty, rebuild familiar routines and gently prepare children for the new school year. It’s your job as parents to give your children the confidence to know that they can cope, whatever happens 🤩

If your child's worries feel persistent or are beginning to affect everyday life, we can offer professional support which can help them understand and manage their anxiety in a positive, lasting way.

Save this post so you can come back to it before the new term begins 🧚

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Brighton And Hove
BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41

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