Equipping children to thrive — not just cope

higher-stronger-happier

One-to-one emotional support sessions for children and teens (7–18)
Because wellbeing isn't one-size-fits-all.

Who this is for

This support may be right for your child or teen if they:

  • Find it hard to adapt to change or transition

  • Struggle to express or manage difficult emotions

  • Feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally flat

  • Experience tension in friendships or sibling relationships

  • Are navigating life as neurodivergent in environments that don’t always fit

  • Mask their struggles to meet expectations

  • Have lost their spark, confidence or motivation

  • Withdraw, shut down, or react strongly under pressure

  • Feel or appear disconnected

Sessions can be especially helpful for children and teens who seem hard to reach, or for whom other approaches haven’t worked.

What this is?

I offer support to children and teens through designing and delivering personalised wellbeing education programmes that equip them to thrive — not just cope. This is not coaching or therapy, but a proactive, relational approach grounded in the science of wellbeing (positive psychology. emotional intelligence and neuroscience). Each child’s developmental stage, individuality, and context are honoured.Through practical strategies and supportive connection, children learn to understand, shape, and strengthen their own wellbeing. With 40,000 hours spent in the company of children aged 7 - 18, globally recognised wellbeing training, and a natural ability to build safe, fun, and respectful relationships, I raise the bar for what’s possible in youth wellbeing.

Why this matters

The world our children are growing up in is more complex and emotionally demanding than the one most of us remember. Many of the systems around them are struggling to keep up.These are uncharted times. We’re facing seismic changes in how we connect, communicate, and understand ourselves, yet no one was given instructions. Without the right tools or support, children can end up overwhelmed by everything they’re experiencing, unsure how to process their feelings or respond to the challenges around them in healthy, sustainable ways. We're seeing the results of this through a global mental health crisis in the youth of today.Much of the emotional support available to children and teens still relies on generic frameworks or deficit-based models. Meanwhile, newer approaches like coaching are gaining traction. Yet most are designed with adults or older adolescents in mind, often assuming levels of self-reflection and cognitive maturity that younger children are still developing. Research in the science of wellbeing shows that meaningful, lasting impact comes from individualised, strengths-based approaches — ones that honour each child’s unique personality, developmental stage, and lived experience.And in international school settings, where children often navigate multiple cultures, languages, and transitions, taking account of culture and context isn’t a bonus — it’s essential.This is where my work comes in.

How sessions work

Sessions are one-to-one, allowing me to focus fully on building a strong, safe rapport and gaining insight into life through the child’s eyes. I draw on tools from applied positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience, not as a fixed curriculum, but as a responsive framework for developing emotional literacy, self-awareness, and practical coping strategies. Over 25 years in the classroom has equipped me with the discernment to know which tools to use, and when.Sessions are designed in half-term blocks and run in sync with the academic calendar. Each child receives a personalised programme shaped by parental observations and co-developed with the child. The process is collaborative, creative, and rooted in trust, whether sessions take place indoors, outdoors, or through movement and play. I use conversation, metaphor, reflective tasks, and body-based strategies to help each child feel engaged, understood, and empowered.A living curriculum (accessible to parents and educators when helpful) outlines objectives, activities, observations, and suggestions for support at home. And by the end of each block, children don’t just feel seen and supported, they walk away with a practical, personal toolbox of strategies they can apply to their everyday life. These are emotional skills that fit who they are, what they need, and how they learn, so they’re better equipped to thrive, not just cope.

Why This Approach Works

This is especially powerful for children who haven’t responded to more conventional approaches. I bring a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens that looks for what’s right before what’s wrong, and the relational insight to connect with children others may have found hard to reach. It’s this combination that helps children make meaningful, lasting progress, in how they feel, function, and flourish.This work is grounded in science, not performance, and in relationship, not prescription. It aligns with ethical research calling for a shift away from top-down interventions toward responsive, co-created models that centre each child’s lived experience.It’s a personal, relational approach which honours the complexity of each child’s story and supports their growth in a way that feels relevant, respectful, and real — creating the conditions for emotional insight as well as sustainable wellbeing.

Meet Sarah

I’m Sarah, the person behind higher–stronger–happier.I’ve spent over 25 years working closely with children and teens in schools across the UK and internationally — first as a modern languages teacher, then as a pastoral leader, and now as a specialist in emotional and personal wellbeing.Over the decades, I’ve worked with thousands of students across all age groups, learning what helps them thrive, and what holds them back. I retrained in the science of wellbeing through the Langley Group’s nationally accredited Diploma, integrating positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience.This isn’t a side project. It’s the heart of my work.I’m known for connecting with children who don’t usually open up, whether they’re neurodivergent, overwhelmed, or just wary. I adjust quickly, plan thoughtfully, and know how to change tack when the moment calls for it.Most of all, I bring quiet confidence, warmth, and a deep belief in every child’s ability to grow — not just cope.

What parents say

“Our child has been very happy and cheerful — no outbursts. 180 degrees from before. You have no idea how happy we are to see our daughter really experiencing joy and happiness… she is finally letting the sun in.”

We’ve had the great pleasure of working with Sarah to support our 8-year-old son through a period where he struggled with confidence and emotional expression. Her approach was gentle, thoughtful, and deeply attuned to his needs. Over the course of the sessions, we noticed a remarkable shift: he began showing more self-esteem, grew closer to his younger sister, and started focusing on the positive side of things. Not only did he become visibly more joyful and expressive, but we also saw a budding sense of empathy in how he relates to others. Sarah helped him access and trust his inner voice — and the ripple effects have been felt throughout our home. We’re deeply grateful and can wholeheartedly recommend Sarah to any family looking for thoughtful, impactful coaching for their children.

“Sarah has been amazing with my children. When we moved to a new country, my son was devastated to leave his friends and old life behind. With Sarah's help he found new ways of looking at challenges he faced and learned new skills to cope with difficulties he came across. With her help he has become a well adjusted child who loves life and embraces change and challenges. My other son was facing issues in school and again with her help she totally changed his outlook and growth mindset. Her sessions became the highlight of their day. Thanks Sarah! Your help has been invaluable.”

"From the very first phone call, I felt completely heard and understood as a mother. Our 7-year-old son was struggling with being away from us and felt insecure about managing his fears. When Sarah arrived at our doorstep all geared up in her biking gear, she had already earned half of our son's trust. Each session with her was unique — always held outdoors, which we really appreciated. She brought a creative "toolbox" filled with words and pictures centered around biking, making it easier for our son to relate to and engage with the process. Sarah had a wonderful way of connecting with him, and after just a few sessions, we began to see him apply what he had learned. In some situations, he even managed to overcome his fears successfully. We highly recommend Sarah’s work. Her enthusiasm and dedication to each session truly shine through."

"I could see how excited and inspired he was coming back from your sessions. Considering you were the first person in his life who does not speak his language, we were a bit concerned that the sessions could be challenging for him... something he wouldn't like. However, any time I asked our son if he was willing to meet you again, the only answer I ever heard was a resounding 'YES'... I'm grateful for your kindness and professionalism. He is going to turn another page in his life soon stepping in to another social life and you have been the perfect bridge for him, making that transition not only easier but something to look forward to."

Contact Me

I’d love to hear from you.If you have a question, want to explore support for your child, or are curious about upcoming events or sessions, feel free to reach out.📩 Email: [email protected]I do my best to respond within 1–2 working days.

Social Media + Events

Find out more about my work and philosophy online:

International Wellbeing Education Summit
Portugal's 1st International Wellbeing Education Summit was a huge success. Globally renowned expert in neuroscience, positive psychology & EQ, Sue Langley, shared the latest research with parents, educators, consultants and UNESCO'S Chair for Education of Global Peace and Sustainability who attended the popular event.To see more photos click the link below.