Connect
Warm, attuned relationships with parents, family and peers help children feel emotionally safe and supported.
Interpersonal Therapy · Ages 3–12
Interpersonal Therapy for Children in Singapore
Helping children understand relationships, express emotions, build social confidence, and strengthen communication in age-appropriate ways.
Private child counselling and relationship-focused therapy support for children aged 3–12 under Kids Therapy Singapore, a division of Olive Branch Psychology.
Registered psychologists & counsellorsRelationship-focused & warmParents involved where appropriate
The Connect · Communicate · Belong cycle
Connect
Communicate
Belong
Children grow within relationships. Therapy can support warmer connections, clearer communication and a stronger sense of belonging.
Relationship-focused · Adapted for ages 3–12
An introduction
What is interpersonal therapy for children?
Interpersonal therapy is a supportive therapeutic approach that helps children understand the relationships, communication patterns and emotional experiences that shape their day-to-day life. It looks at how interactions with family, peers and other important adults can influence how a child thinks, feels and behaves.
For younger children, this work is adapted into play, story, drawing and gentle conversation. The aim is to support emotional, social and behavioural development through a clearer understanding of relationships and communication — at the child’s pace.
The core idea
How relationships shape a child’s wellbeing
Children make sense of themselves through their relationships. When connections feel safe and clear, emotions become easier to manage; when they feel confusing, behaviour and mood may shift.
Communicate
Therapy supports clearer ways to express feelings, ask for help and listen — gently building communication skills.
Belong
A sense of belonging in family, classroom and friendships builds confidence, resilience and self-worth.
Common reasons parents reach out
When interpersonal therapy may help a child
Every child is different and therapy is never a guarantee. These are some of the concerns where interpersonal therapy can be a helpful starting point.
Friendship struggles
Difficulty making or keeping friends, peer conflict or feeling left out.
Social confidence
Shyness, social anxiety or hesitance in new groups and settings.
Communication difficulties
Trouble expressing needs, feelings or asking for help with words.
Family relationships
Tension with parents or siblings, or feeling disconnected at home.
School relationships
Difficulty with classmates, group work, or relating to teachers.
Sensitivity & big feelings
A child who feels relationships deeply and gets easily overwhelmed.
Conflict & repair
Frequent disagreements, or trouble making up after arguments.
Mood linked to relationships
Sadness, low mood or worry that comes up around social situations.
Skills that grow with relationships
Supporting communication, empathy and social confidence
Children don’t need to be perfect communicators — they need safe places to practise. Interpersonal therapy offers a calm space to try new ways of connecting, listening and expressing themselves.
Over time, children may feel more confident in friendships, more understood at home, and better able to put feelings into words. These small shifts can have a meaningful impact on how a child experiences their world.
- ✓Recognise and name emotions in themselves and others
- ✓Practise expressing needs and feelings with words instead of behaviour
- ✓Build empathy and gentle perspective-taking through play and story
- ✓Understand patterns in friendships, family and conflict
- ✓Repair and reconnect after difficult moments — at their own pace
How we work
Our child-centred interpersonal therapy approach
We meet each child where they are. Sessions are warm, unhurried, and shaped around the relationships that matter most in their world.
Warm and child-led
We build trust first. Children move at their own pace and are never pushed to share before they are ready.
Relationship-focused
We explore the people, patterns and feelings that matter to the child — gently, through age-appropriate language.
Parents as partners
Where appropriate, parents receive practical guidance to support communication and connection at home.
Google Reviews
What parents are saying
Real stories from families we've supported.
“You’ve made a real difference in our child’s growth and in our family’s journey.”
Nico
“..my son has learned to manage his anger and is more aware of how to handle situations better.”
Mee Li
“...we can always count on her to be there whenever we need help during the little lapses”
Anshii
“She really helps us and I fully recommend her because kids feel comfortable with her”
Andrea
As featured in
Trusted by Singapore media
Our therapists have shared expert perspectives on child mental health, parenting, play therapy and family wellbeing across leading Singapore publications.
CNATODAYThe Straits TimesSingapore Motherhoodhoneycombersobservatory.sg
View all media features Our Team
Meet the therapists who work with children, teens & families
Tap a group to see therapists who specialise in working with them.
Play-based and art therapy for ages 4–12 — gentle, evidence-based support for anxiety, big feelings, school refusal, sibling conflict, divorce, and grief.
Amadea Seow
Senior Therapist
Warm, play-based work that helps younger children find words for big feelings.
English · Mandarin (less fluent) · Malay (less fluent)
Hazel Yeo
Senior Therapist
Calm, creative sessions for anxious kids navigating school and family change.
English · Mandarin · Cantonese
Aileen Goh
Clinical Counsellor
Family-centred care that supports both the child and the people around them.
English
Nina Cheong
Clinical Counsellor
Play therapy in training — helps children process grief, transitions, and worry.
English
Step by step
What parents can expect
A simple, supportive process from first contact to ongoing care. We want parents to feel informed and involved at every stage.
- 01
Get in touch
Reach out via WhatsApp or our booking page. We’ll listen and recommend a suitable next step.
- 02
Parent intake
A first conversation with parents to understand the child’s relationships, history and concerns.
- 03
Sessions begin
Your child meets their therapist in a calm, child-friendly space — at their own pace.
- 04
Ongoing review
Regular updates on goals, progress and practical tools you can use at home.
Related services
Other ways we support children & families
Interpersonal therapy is one of several approaches our team draws on. We may combine modalities to suit your child.
Cognitive therapy
CBT-informed support for anxiety, behaviour and emotional regulation.
Family therapy
Support for family communication, conflict and parent-child connection.
Behaviour analysis
Understanding what may be behind a child’s behaviour, with parent guidance.
Art therapy
Creative expression for children who find words harder.
Play therapy
Therapy through play for younger children or those who find words harder.
Anxiety support
Targeted help for school anxiety, worry and avoidance behaviours.
Why families choose us
Why choose Kids Therapy Singapore
A dedicated child and family service from the established team at Olive Branch Psychology.
Qualified clinicians
Registered psychologists and counsellors trained in working with children.
Child-first environment
Calm, welcoming spaces designed to help children settle quickly.
Parents involved
Practical guidance for the home — not just the therapy room.
Established team
Operating under Olive Branch Psychology Pte Ltd, with experienced child therapists.
FAQ
Interpersonal therapy for children — your questions, answered
What is interpersonal therapy for children?
Interpersonal therapy is a supportive, talk-based approach that helps children understand and improve their relationships and communication. With a trained therapist, children explore how interactions with family, peers and adults shape their feelings and behaviour — and learn age-appropriate ways to express themselves and connect with others.
Is interpersonal therapy the same as social skills training?
They overlap but are not the same. Interpersonal therapy goes beyond teaching social rules — it helps the child understand the emotions, patterns and meaning within relationships. Social skills work may be one part of the journey, alongside emotional understanding and communication.
What ages do you work with?
Our team supports children aged 3 to 12. The approach, language and activities are always adapted to the child’s developmental stage.
When might interpersonal therapy help my child?
Parents often reach out when a child is struggling with friendships, social confidence, family conflict, communication difficulties, sensitivity, recent relational change, or low mood related to relationships. Therapy may help and is not a guarantee — every child is different.
Are parents involved in interpersonal therapy?
Yes. Family relationships are often a central focus. Depending on the child’s age and concerns, parents may receive general updates, therapy goals and practical recommendations to support the work at home.
How many sessions will my child need?
There is no fixed number. Some children benefit from short-term support; others need longer, more steady work. Your therapist will discuss recommendations after the initial sessions.
Is interpersonal therapy a medical diagnosis?
No. Interpersonal therapy is a supportive and educational therapeutic approach. It does not replace psychiatric, medical or emergency services. Where appropriate, we may suggest additional professional or medical support.
Considering interpersonal therapy for your child?
Reach out for a warm, no-pressure conversation. We’ll listen and help you decide what kind of support might suit your child best.