H.U.G.S Child Therapy is a warm, experienced child therapy practice based in Protea Valley, Cape Town — offering compassionate child therapy, ADHD support and trauma-sensitive care for children and families across Durbanville, Bellville, Welgemoed and the wider Northern Suburbs.
At H.U.G.S Child Therapy, we walk alongside children and their families through life's hardest moments — gently, patiently, and with deep respect for every child's unique story.
Whether your child is struggling to focus, carrying a hurt that's hard to put into words, or simply needing a little more support than the everyday can offer, we're here to help them find their footing again.
"Child therapy isn't about fixing what's broken — it's about creating a safe space where children can be understood, explore big feelings, and discover their own strength."
Two of the most common — and most misunderstood — challenges young children face. We bring experience, patience and the right tools to each.
Children with ADHD aren't "badly behaved" — their brains simply process the world differently. As one of the leading areas of focus at our Cape Town child therapy practice, we help children build focus, self-regulation and confidence, while giving parents practical tools to reduce friction at home and at school.
For children aged 4–13 · School-based or private practice
Trauma can come from many places — loss, divorce, medical experiences, frightening events, or quiet wounds that build over time. Through play, storytelling and attuned care, we help children process what's happened and rediscover safety in their own bodies.
Trauma-sensitive · Gentle-paced · Parent-supported
Every child is met where they are. Sessions are tailored around your child's age, needs and comfort.
You may notice: difficulty focusing, impulsivity, restlessness, homework battles, big emotions.
How therapy helps: building focus strategies, emotional regulation, confidence, and practical routines that work at home and at school.
You may notice: withdrawal, nightmares, regression, anxiety, sudden anger, changes in appetite or sleep.
How therapy helps: trauma-informed approaches that gently restore safety, trust and a sense of control.
Support for anxiety, emotional regulation, anger, low self-esteem, school adjustment, and social difficulties — so children can feel safer in their own skin.
Play is a child's natural language. Through carefully chosen toys, art and stories, children express what they cannot yet say in words — and begin to heal in a space that feels safe and their own.
You are your child's most important person. We partner with parents through regular feedback sessions, practical strategies and a steady, compassionate hand.
With a background in psychology, pastoral counselling and child therapy, I've spent years in the beautiful (and sometimes heavy) work of sitting with children through their biggest feelings — and walking beside the parents who love them.
My philosophy is simple: every child deserves to feel deeply seen, safely held and quietly believed in. I bring professional training, but also warmth, humour and a genuine love for the children I work with.
My pastoral background shapes how I listen — with care for the whole child, body and heart. I work in a way that's faith-sensitive and welcoming of every family, regardless of background.
Why school-based child therapy? It meets children where they already feel familiar. It reduces family disruption, lowers stigma, and lets therapy become a natural, supported part of their week.
Take the First StepA discreet, consistent, family-friendly model of support — delivered where your child already feels at home, at schools across the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town.
We start with a parent consultation to understand your child, your concerns, and your hopes.
Your child is gently pulled out of class for a session, with minimal disruption to their routine or friendships.
We stay in close contact through regular parent check-ins, so you always feel part of the journey.
Where helpful — and always with your consent — we quietly liaise with teachers to support your child holistically.
Not at a partnered school? No problem — we also welcome children into our private practice in Protea Valley, Cape Town.
Our private child therapy rooms in Protea Valley, Cape Town are designed to feel like a breath out — soft light, gentle textures, and a shelf full of toys, art materials and stories ready to be explored.
★★★★★"San-Mari has such a gentle way with our son. Within a few weeks, the morning battles disappeared. He actually looks forward to his sessions."
★★★★★"We were so worried about how to help our daughter after a really hard year. We finally feel like we're not carrying it alone."
★★★★★"Having child therapy at school has been a gift. No battles, no missed work — just gentle, steady support woven into his week."
Based in Protea Valley, H.U.G.S Child Therapy proudly serves families throughout the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town — including Durbanville, Bellville, Welgemoed, Tyger Valley, Plattekloof, Brackenfell and surrounds.
Reaching out can feel like a big step. Here are some gentle answers to what parents often wonder.
Trust your instincts. Signs can include sudden behavioural changes, withdrawal, big or persistent emotions, sleep or eating changes, school struggles, or simply a feeling that something isn't quite right. Therapy doesn't have to be a last resort — early, gentle support can make a meaningful difference.
Absolutely. Parents are central to the process. We meet regularly for feedback sessions, share practical strategies, and make sure you always feel informed, supported and part of your child's journey.
It varies from child to child. Some children benefit from a short, focused block of 6–10 sessions, while others need longer, steadier support. We'll continually reassess progress together and only keep going as long as it's helpful.
Yes. What happens in sessions stays between your child and their therapist, with age-appropriate updates shared with you as parents. The only exceptions are situations involving safety — which we'll always discuss with you openly.
Where helpful — and always with your consent — we collaborate with teachers to support your child holistically. Communication is respectful, discreet, and always in your child's best interest.
We primarily work with children aged 4 to 13, with a particular focus on foundation and intermediate phase learners across Cape Town's Northern Suburbs. If you're unsure whether your child is a good fit, reach out — we'll let you know honestly.
The first appointment is usually a parent-only consultation, where we gather your child's story and answer your questions. Then we arrange a first session for your child — unhurried, welcoming, and at their pace.
Sessions run Monday to Friday only. After-school appointments are available at our private practice in Protea Valley, and school-based sessions happen during school hours at partnered schools.
Reaching out is often the hardest part. We promise to listen — and to reply within one working day.
"You know your child best. If something feels off, that's worth honouring — even if it's just a conversation."