Useful links (child psychology)
We've put together a list of some of the self-help websites, apps and books that we recommend to young people and their families. These can help with understanding and managing emotions, such as anxiety.
Please note that these are external websites and apps, and we're not responsible for the content or keeping them updated.
Emotional difficulty
- www.getselfhelp.co.uk
Providing information sheets and worksheets for a variety of emotional difficulties (including anxiety, anger and low mood) and coping strategies (including relaxation, thought challenging, problem solving and mindfulness). These are based on the cognitive-behavioural therapy approach. - www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm
The Centre for Clinical Interventions website, offering support for difficulties such as low mood, health anxiety, worries, panic, low self esteem, social anxiety and more. - www.youth.anxietybc.com
A website including resources to support children and adults in understanding and managing anxiety.
Pain
- www.paintoolkit.org
Information to help understand and manage long-term pain.
Mindfulness
Mental health
Healthy eating and exercise
Family support
Bullying
For younger children
- www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/get-well-soon
- www.whatwhychildreninhospital.org.uk/videos
Videos and activities to help children and their families prepare for hospital procedures such as CT scans.
Hospichill
http://hospichill.net/index.html
An app about coming to hospital and coping with being in hospital. It includes relaxation and visualisation tools, rewards, and also has practical information such as what to bring with you.
Self-help for anxiety (SAM)
Including information about anxiety, tools to record anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and coping strategies.
Mindshift
https://www.anxietybc.com/resources/mindshift-app
Including lots of tools to help with anxiety.
Headspace
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
A good introduction to mindfulness and includes example exercises.
Smiling mind
This app includes mindfulness meditation exercises (both child and adult programmes). You can rate feelings before and after exercises, and there are awards you can earn.
Calm
Including mindfulness medication exercises, this app is adolescent and adult friendly. It includes an overview of meditation and you can rate how you’re feeling mentally, physically and emotionally, allowing the app to tailor the meditations to suit your current mood.
The child psychology team has made a list of books that they recommend to children and their families. Topics include anxiety, low mood, anger and sleep.