SleepTalk® for Children
A little time each evening. A meaningful way to support your child's emotional wellbeing.
As parents, we want our children to feel loved, confident and able to face the world around them. Growing up brings big feelings, worries and challenges, and sometimes it can be difficult to know how best to help.
The Goulding SleepTalk® Process offers parents a gentle, structured way to support their child's emotional development at home through a short process carried out while their child is asleep.
You do not have to be a perfect parent. Small, consistent moments of connection matter.
Because every child deserves to feel loved, lovable and confident in who they are.
SleepTalk®
What Is SleepTalk® ?
SleepTalk® is a parent-led self-help process developed by Joane and Jim Goulding in the 1970s. It uses positive suggestions presented by a parent to their sleeping child, with the aim of supporting a positive sense of self and emotional wellbeing.
The focus is not on correcting behaviour or telling a child what to do. Instead, it is about nurturing the foundations of feeling loved, valued and confident, while giving parents a practical way to support their child's emotional needs.
How Does SleepTalk® Work?
The process involves a parent presenting specific positive suggestions while their child is asleep. These are designed to support the child's developing sense of self, emotional resilience and inner confidence.
Parents receive guidance on how to follow the structured process consistently. It requires no special equipment and generally takes around two to three minutes each evening.
Every child is different. Some parents may notice changes sooner than others, and results cannot be guaranteed.
What Can SleepTalk® Support?
Children express their feelings in different ways, sometimes through their behaviour, relationships, worries or challenges at school.
Parents may consider SleepTalk® to support areas such as:
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Emotional wellbeing and confidence, including shyness, self-doubt and difficulty believing in themselves.
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Big feelings and behaviour, such as frustration, anger and emotional outbursts.
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Worries and fears, including separation-related worries and anxiety around everyday situations.
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Sleep-related worries, including bedtime fears and nightmares.
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Family relationships, including sibling rivalry, disagreements and difficulties with cooperation.
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School-related challenges, including worries about attending school, concentration and confidence with learning.
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Habits and other concerns, such as nail biting or bedwetting, where appropriate support may also be needed.
SleepTalk® is not a diagnosis or a replacement for medical care, psychological support or other professional services. Each child's circumstances should be considered individually, and appropriate professional advice should be sought when needed.
As a Clinical Hypnotherapist with additional training in Emotional Parenting and the Consultant of Goulding SleepTalk® Method, I believe that supporting children begins with understanding their emotional needs and the environment in which they grow.
Let's Talk About Supporting Your Child
If you would like to learn more about the Goulding SleepTalk® Process and how it may fit into your family's life, I would be happy to hear from you.
Together, we can explore your questions and discuss the next steps.
A calmer, more confident child begins with feeling loved and understood.
Get in touch to find out more about SleepTalk®.
SleepTalk® for Dementia
When words and memories change, the need for connection remains.
When someone close to us is living with dementia, the way we communicate with them may gradually change.
For families and carers, this can bring many emotions, questions and moments of uncertainty.
You may wonder how much your loved one understands, what they remember, or how you can best offer comfort when familiar conversations become more challenging.
As a qualified SleepTalk® for Dementia Consultant, I offer guidance to families and carers in exploring the SleepTalk® approach for dementia, with compassion, dignity and respect for each individual.
The focus is not on correcting the person, testing their memory or expecting them to respond in a particular way.
Instead, it is about creating moments of gentle, positive and reassuring communication.
At the heart of this approach is the person themselves:
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Their dignity and individuality.
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Their emotional comfort and sense of reassurance.
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Their need to feel cared for and valued.
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The connection they continue to share with the people around them.
If you are caring for someone living with dementia and would like to learn more about whether SleepTalk® may be suitable for your situation, you are welcome to contact me privately.
There is no need to make any decisions straight away. We can start with a conversation and explore your questions together.
If you, your child or someone in your care has a health condition, significant mental health concerns, a diagnosis of dementia or is receiving professional healthcare, appropriate medical advice and treatment should continue to be followed.
Every individual and family is different, and experiences and outcomes may vary.
Before proceeding, clients, parents, legal guardians and carers will receive clear information about the nature of the service. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
If I believe that support from a doctor or another healthcare or specialist professional would be more appropriate, I will discuss this with you openly, sensitively and with respect for your needs and those of your family.