Archived programme
Emotional Regulation Programme
We used to run a parent-led emotional regulation programme, where a psychologist worked alongside the parent for around twelve weeks. We no longer run it. This page is kept as a record of what it was.
This programme is no longer available
We stopped running the Emotional Regulation Programme, and there is nothing to book or sign up for on this page. We have kept it here because it is a real part of our history, and because what the programme taught is still worth reading.
What we do now is different. You build a profile of your child yourself, and Assembly turns it into a report that sets out their strengths and needs and what to try next. See how it works, or start from the homepage.
What the programme was
Six modules, spread over roughly twelve weeks, for parents of children aged 4 to 14. It was parent-led: the psychologist worked with the parent rather than seeing the child, and the parent put the strategies into practice at home.
- Six modules developed by psychologists with input from parents, using current therapy techniques
- Six 30-minute online video calls with a psychologist, scheduled around the family
- Continuous support from that psychologist across the twelve weeks
- Videos of evidence-based practical exercises, so parents could put the theory into action
- Printable activity worksheets for the moments when they were most needed
- An outcome-based framework parents used to track their child's progress
Why we worked with parents, not children
Research has shown that a skill-building approach involving parents is more effective at meeting a child's needs. So the programme did not see the child. The clinician worked with the parent on the strategies, themes and skills that build a child's emotional regulation, and the parent used them in the moments that actually matter, at home.
What is emotional regulation?
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage reactions and emotions when feeling frustrated, disappointed or exuberant. It depends on the development of the prefrontal cortex, which takes until early adulthood, so it develops gradually through childhood and adolescence.
The programme was developed by clinicians and covered the key themes that build this skill, across its six modules. It was written particularly for families where the usual recommended parenting strategies had not worked, including children with confirmed or suspected neurodivergence. The clinician guided the parent through each module and tailored the exercises to the family where that helped.
What it covered
- Emotional awareness, empathy and emotional regulation skills
- Co-regulation and calming strategies
- Agency, and working collaboratively with your child
Why emotional regulation matters
Emotional regulation is the key to helping children feel calm, confident and connected. Strong emotional skills built today can change a child's future:
- Greater self-confidence
- Stronger friendships
- Better resilience to setbacks
- A calmer, happier daily life
Signs a child may need support
The programme was aimed at families who recognised some of these:
- Frequent emotional outbursts: anger, crying, frustration
- Difficulty calming down after getting upset
- Big reactions to small problems
- Becoming overwhelmed easily by changes, transitions or challenges
- Struggling to express feelings in words
- Anxiety around trying new things
- Trouble getting along with peers
What parents said at the time
Feedback parents gave us while the programme was running.
“I've read many books, I've taken online courses, so I feel I'm aware of current theories. But Assembly is different, because each child (and parent) is different, with their own set of difficulties they need help to work through. Being able to have the support of regular professional feedback at the same time as working through the exercises so that I can tailor my responses to my child, is invaluable. Being supported this way also gives me the confidence that I am going in the right direction, and making the changes I need to provide the best responses (even slight tweaks in response can make a difference), as well as imparting the right age-appropriate understanding to my child. Assembly has already helped enormously.”
“My son has been having behaviour issues for a long time and we felt we tried every avenue to no avail. Since the very first session (and ever since), I have felt it's bought us closer. He understood I wanted to help and would do anything to make his life easier. Our clinician helped in so many ways and understood what was going on. I was able to be 100% honest and open without feeling judged. We approached it differently due to his age, and it made a massive difference. This programme has been a life saver and a complete game changer. I would recommend this programme to any parent struggling with their child's behaviour. I cannot thank our clinician enough for all the help and advice she provided.”
“We have had a great experience with Assembly and I am so pleased with how it has supported me as a parent in addition to helping my son. He struggles with emotional regulation and the activities and guidance really supported both our understanding and gave us strategies that have worked well. I have already recommended the programme to 2 other people that may benefit from the service. Our clinician was great, I enjoyed our fortnightly conversations and she was a wonderful support.”
“The Assembly programme provided me (and my child!) with valuable insight into their behaviours and we came away with a range of easy-to-use tools to help us deal with the challenges we face. The clinicians are insightful and supported us every step of the way.”
“Very helpful and practical advice in a friendly, non judgemental environment. Would highly recommend to other parents.”
Reading on emotional regulation
The thinking behind the programme is still available to read. Our current guide, understanding emotional regulation, covers what it is, why it develops slowly, and what helps at home.
We also used to run a Self-Esteem Programme, archived in the same way.