Does My Child Need an Educational Therapist?

What Exactly Does an Educational Therapist Do?

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else. You’ve seen the way their eyes light up when something finally clicks—and the way their shoulders slump when they feel lost or overwhelmed. You’ve watched them try, and sometimes struggle, to stay focused. Maybe they’re avoiding homework, growing more anxious about school, or showing signs of low confidence that weren’t there before.

You’ve probably tried a few things already—more structure, a different tutor, extra screen time limits, or even incentives to motivate them. But deep down, you may still be wondering:

“Is this something more than just school stress?”

“Is my child falling behind because they don’t understand, or because they feel like they can’t cope?”

“Do they need more than just academic help?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does my child need an educational therapist?”—you’re not alone. And asking the question is already a powerful and brave step forward.

💡 Support Beyond Schoolwork

An educational therapist is more than just a tutor. Their role blends academic support with emotional insight. They understand that learning doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s deeply connected to how a child feels about themselves, how they manage stress, how they focus, and how they experience school as a whole.

Educational therapists are trained to work with students who face learning challenges, attention difficulties, or emotional blocks that affect their academic progress. This may include children with:

• ADHD or executive functioning struggles
• Dyslexia or processing disorders
• Anxiety related to performance or social pressure
• Low self-esteem or perfectionism
• Difficulty with focus, memory, or motivation
• Emotional trauma or school-related stress

But here’s the key difference: while a traditional tutor might address what your child is learning, an educational therapist focuses on how and why they’re struggling—and then helps them build the skills and confidence to overcome those barriers.

When Academic Help Isn’t Enough – How Do They Help?

Educational therapists offer tailored, one-on-one sessions designed around your child’s unique learning style and emotional needs. They might work on practical strategies like organisation, time management, or reading comprehension—but they’ll do it in a way that also supports your child’s mindset, motivation, and wellbeing.

Their sessions may include:

• Emotional coaching to reduce anxiety and increase resilience
• Academic interventions for specific learning difficulties
• Tools for building executive functioning skills
• Support in developing a growth mindset
• Gentle, confidence-boosting tasks that restore self-belief

They don’t just ask, “Did you finish your homework?” They ask, “How did you feel doing it?” and “What made it hard to get started?”—because that’s where real change begins.

🚩 Signs Your Child Might Benefit From an Educational Therapist — And How to Know What Kind of Support They Really Need

Every child faces challenges from time to time—getting stuck on a maths concept, forgetting homework, feeling nervous before a test. These moments are normal. But sometimes, what looks like a simple academic struggle is actually a deeper call for personalised, emotional, or cognitive support.

So how do you know if it’s time to go beyond traditional tutoring? And more importantly, how do you know which kind of professional your child needs?

Let’s start by looking at the signs that your child may benefit from working with an educational therapist.

You might consider educational therapy if your child:

• Dreads school or avoids homework: If they constantly complain, make excuses, or feel physically ill (like frequent headaches or tummy aches) before school, this could be academic anxiety, not laziness.
• Seems constantly anxious or overwhelmed: Struggling with big emotions, worrying excessively, or refusing to attempt tasks could mean emotional strain is blocking their ability to learn.
• Has experienced trauma or big life changes: A death in the family, a divorce, relocation, or bullying can make it difficult for a child to concentrate, stay organised, or feel emotionally safe at school.
• Has a learning difference or attention difficulty: Whether your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, or auditory processing challenges—or you simply suspect something’s affecting their ability to focus—educational therapists can help them build practical, personalised strategies.
• Struggles with focus or emotional regulation: Frequent meltdowns, zoning out, or being labelled as “difficult” may signal unmet needs rather than bad behaviour.
• Isn’t progressing despite tutoring: If your child is receiving regular help and still not improving, it may be time to dig deeper into why they’re struggling—not just what they’re struggling with.

So… Who Does What?

Tutor vs. Educational Therapist vs. Educational Psychologist vs. Counsellor

Understanding what kind of help to seek can feel overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown to help guide your decision:

RolePrimary FocusWhen to Choose This Support🎓

Tutor ✔️ Best for catching up, reinforcing lessons, and improving ✔️ When your child generally understands the material

academic performance in specific areas but needs help staying on track, improving study skills,

reviewing for tests, or getting homework done

❌ May not be sufficient for children with emotional,

behavioural, or learning-based blocks

🛠 Educational Therapist ✔️ Ideal if tutoring hasn’t worked because the root issue isn’t ✔️ When your child is struggling due to anxiety, ADHD,

academic knowledge, but how the brain or emotions are executive functioning issues, trauma, or low confidence

interfering with learning ✔️ Offers a therapeutic, compassionate approach that

blends academic coaching with emotional tools

👥 Educational Psychologist✔️Includes formal testing for ADHD, dyslexia, autism spectrum, ✔️ When you need a formal diagnosis or report for school

anxiety, and other barriers to learning accommodations (e.g., extra time in exams, IEPs, etc.)

✔️ If you or your child’s teacher suspects a learning

disability, developmental delay, or emotional/behavioural

issue that needs proper assessment

✔️ Essential for uncovering how a child thinks, remembers,

pays attention, and regulates emotions in academic

environments

💬 Counsellor✔️Focuses on feelings, behaviour, social relationships, trauma, ✔️ After a significant life event like divorce, loss, bullying,

grief, and self-esteem or a traumatic experience

✔️ When your child is facing emotional distress (e.g.,

sadness, anger, withdrawal, anxiety)

✔️ Supports emotional expression, resilience, social skills, and

coping mechanisms that extend beyond the classroom

Does my child have ADHD?

🌟Try This Parent-Friendly aDHD test

This screening ADHD test is a loving step toward exploring whether your child might benefit from a little extra support — especially if they show signs of ADHD or executive functioning differences.

We’re not here to label. We’re here to help you understand the squiggles, celebrate the quirks, and support your child in a way that feels empowering.

FREE | Parent-Friendly aDHD test

💡 What Makes an Educational Therapist Unique?

An educational therapist sits at the intersection of learning support and emotional coaching. They’re not there to label or diagnose your child—they’re there to work with your child’s unique learning style, strengths, and struggles, using therapeutic strategies to help them feel capable, motivated, and safe while learning.

Educational therapists don’t just ask, “What subject are you failing?” They ask, “Why do you feel so stuck?” and “How can we make learning feel possible again?”

Sessions often combine:

• Confidence coaching
• Organisational support
• Memory and focus strategies
• Reading/writing interventions
• Emotional self-regulation tools
• Gentle, steady relationship-building over time

🔍 Choosing the Right Fit (or a Combination)

These roles are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many families find that the best results come from combining support—for example, using the insights of an educational psychologist alongside the ongoing emotional and learning support of an educational therapist, or pairing counselling with academic tutoring once emotional stability improves.

Example Scenarios:

• Your child is falling behind in maths despite trying hard → Start with a tutor. If there’s no progress, explore educational therapy.
• Your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and can’t stay organised or focused → Consider educational therapy to build executive functioning skills and confidence.
• You’re unsure if your child’s reading struggles are a learning disability → An educational psychologist can provide a full assessment.
• Your child is withdrawn and tearful after a bullying incident → A child counsellor can provide emotional healing and self-esteem support.

The Global Tutors Approach

We believe in teaching the whole child—not just ticking boxes. That’s why we’ve partnered with educators who offer more than subject knowledge. They build trust. They listen deeply. They tailor every lesson to meet both academic and emotional needs.

Whether your child needs academic support or the specialised care of an educational therapist, we’re here to walk that journey with you.

Want to Talk About Your Child’s Needs?

👉 Contact us today to be matched with a tutor or an educational therapist who understands both the heart and the mind of your child.