Change is a part of life—but for children, even small shifts can feel monumental. A new school year, the arrival of a sibling, moving house, or a family separation can bring on emotional storms that children often struggle to process. While adults may intellectually understand that “this too shall pass,” children live fully in the present, where the uncertainty of change can feel overwhelming.
Caroline Goldsmith, a renowned Consulting Clinical Psychologist at ATC Ireland, specializes in guiding children and families through the emotional turbulence of change. Her compassionate, child-centered approach empowers young minds to face uncertainty with strength, flexibility, and self-awareness.
Understanding How Change Affects Children
Transitions—no matter how common—often disrupt a child’s sense of safety, routine, and identity. For children, predictability is the anchor that keeps their world feeling secure. When that anchor is lifted, even temporarily, anxiety, withdrawal, or behavioral challenges can emerge.
Caroline Goldsmith emphasizes that the emotional reactions children have to change are not problems to be fixed—they are signals that deserve attention, compassion, and validation.
Her work begins with understanding the unique way each child experiences change. While one child might become clingy and tearful, another might lash out or shut down completely. By decoding these reactions through a psychological lens, Caroline helps caregivers respond with clarity instead of confusion.
The Power of Preparation
One of the most effective ways to support children through transitions is to prepare them in advance. Caroline teaches caregivers how to have open, age-appropriate conversations about upcoming changes—whether it’s starting school, adjusting to a blended family, or dealing with the illness of a loved one.
Some of her key techniques include:
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Visual schedules to help children see what’s coming next
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Social stories that walk them through expected changes in narrative form
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“What if” games to build flexibility and problem-solving
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Emotion check-ins that validate feelings before, during, and after the transition
By giving children knowledge and control, Caroline helps reduce anxiety and empower confidence.
Building Emotional Anchors During Uncertainty
When the world around a child feels unstable, emotional anchors become essential. These are the consistent people, routines, and rituals that remind a child: I am safe, I am loved, and I will be okay.
Caroline encourages families to create or maintain predictable routines during periods of change—like reading a bedtime story, sharing a meal, or having a “worry talk” ritual at the end of the day. These small but powerful moments help children stay emotionally grounded even when everything else is in motion.
She also emphasizes the importance of co-regulation, where adults model calm, resilient behavior and help children move through their own difficult emotions with support—not shame.
Encouraging Expression, Not Suppression
Children may not always know how to express what they’re feeling, especially when it comes to grief, confusion, or fear. Caroline uses a wide range of expressive tools to help children externalize what’s happening inside them, such as:
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Drawing or painting what change feels like
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Writing letters to their “old life” or future self
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Using emotion wheels or puppets to role-play scenarios
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Creating a “feelings jar” where children can safely store their thoughts
These creative outlets give children a safe place to process and begin to find meaning in the transition.
Teaching Children That Change Brings Growth
One of Caroline Goldsmith’s most transformative teachings is that change doesn’t just take things away—it also brings opportunities for growth.
Children are gently taught that it’s okay to feel sad or scared about change and to look for what’s new, exciting, or strengthening. Caroline helps children:
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Identify what they’ve learned from the experience
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Recognize how they’ve become more adaptable
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Celebrate small wins, like making a new friend or facing a fear
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Reframe challenges as steps toward becoming more resilient
With time and support, children begin to see themselves not as victims of change, but as navigators of it.
When Transitions Involve Trauma
Some life changes—such as parental separation, bereavement, or illness—can carry deep emotional wounds. In these cases, Caroline’s trauma-informed approach is especially crucial. She helps children feel seen and held through their pain, without rushing them through grief or forcing positivity.
Her trauma-sensitive strategies include:
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Creating safe spaces for emotional release
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Using gentle psychoeducation to explain what’s happening
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Involving trusted adults in shared healing practices
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Allowing children to set the pace of their emotional journey
These methods ensure children can heal in a way that protects their sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.
Final Thoughts: Creating Lifelong Resilience
In Caroline Goldsmith’s work, supporting children through change isn’t just about “getting through” tough times. It’s about equipping them with lifelong tools to adapt, reflect, and grow from the inevitable ups and downs of life.
Her work affirms a simple but powerful truth: when children are supported with compassion, guidance, and consistency during times of change, they don’t just bounce back—they rise stronger.
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