In today's fast-paced, high-pressure world, even children are not immune to stress. From academic expectations and social pressures to changes at home or sensory overload, stress can quietly accumulate and affect everything from sleep and appetite to focus, mood, and confidence.

Caroline Goldsmith, Clinical Psychologist at ATC Ireland, specializes in supporting children who are struggling to manage stress. With a warm, empathetic, and evidence-informed approach, she helps children and their families understand where stress comes from—and, more importantly, how to build the tools to calm the mind, soothe the body, and restore a sense of safety and control.

Understanding the Roots of Childhood Stress

Stress in children often goes unrecognized or is mistaken for “bad behavior,” inattention, or defiance. Caroline Goldsmith helps parents and educators uncover the why behind the worry:

  • Academic pressures or fear of failure

  • Peer issues, bullying, or social anxiety

  • Family conflict or transitions (divorce, new siblings, moving)

  • Sensory sensitivities or overstimulation

  • High sensitivity or perfectionistic tendencies

She believes that behind every stressed child is an unmet need—and she works gently to identify and meet those needs through tailored psychological support.

Making Stress Visible and Manageable

Many children struggle to articulate how stress affects them. Caroline Goldsmith uses age-appropriate visuals and metaphors—like “the balloon in your belly,” “the storm cloud in your head,” or “the fizz in your feet”—to help children recognize their stress signals.

By naming the feelings in their bodies and minds, children learn that stress is not something to fear—it's something they can notice and manage.

Building a Personal Toolbox for Calm

Caroline Goldsmith empowers children by creating personalized “calm toolkits,” full of regulation strategies that resonate with their personality and lifestyle. These may include:

  • Breathing and visualization exercises (like “square breathing” or “imagine a safe place”)

  • Grounding activities using the five senses

  • Movement-based calming tools (like yoga, stretching, or mindful walking)

  • Creative outlets (drawing, music, sensory play)

  • Thought-challenging strategies to gently shift worry-based thinking

Every child receives a toolbox that feels authentic to them—so it becomes something they want to use when stress rises.

Creating Safe Spaces for Self-Regulation

Caroline Goldsmith works with families and schools to build environments where children feel emotionally safe and regulated. She encourages:

  • Designated quiet or sensory-friendly spaces

  • Predictable routines and transitions

  • Visual schedules and emotion boards

  • Mindful moments built into the day

This way, children aren't just told to “calm down”—they're given both the space and the support to actually do it.

Teaching Long-Term Stress Resilience

Rather than simply reacting to stress when it arises, Caroline Goldsmith helps children build resilience so they're better prepared when challenges come their way. She teaches:

  • How to spot early warning signs of stress

  • How to ask for help in clear, confident ways

  • How to reframe stressful events as temporary and manageable

  • How to develop inner self-talk that is calm, kind, and realistic

By reinforcing these practices over time, Caroline helps children internalize the belief that “I can handle hard things.”

Partnering with Parents and Caregivers

Caroline understands that stress doesn't exist in isolation. She offers coaching and support to parents so they can:

  • Model stress management at home

  • Respond to their child's stress with empathy, not urgency

  • Stay calm themselves during emotional storms

  • Build routines that anchor the child in predictability and comfort

This whole-family approach helps children feel supported both internally and externally—building a circle of safety and trust.

Final Thoughts

Stress will always be part of life—but with the right guidance, children can learn to meet it with calm, clarity, and confidence. Caroline Goldsmith's compassionate and expert care makes this possible. She doesn't just help children reduce stress—she teaches them how to build a more peaceful inner world that can carry them through anything.

Contact Information:

Caroline's practice is easily reachable through her website, email, or phone, ensuring clients have multiple ways to Connect and Resources.