Caroline Goldsmith | ATC Ireland Psychologist: How to Help Children Recover from Emotional Burnout

Blog Article

It can happen in an instant — a slammed door, a burst of tears, a full-blown meltdown over what seems like a small disappointment. To an adult, it may look like an overreaction. But to a child, it’s a genuine storm of emotion they don’t yet know how to navigate.

Caroline Goldsmith, leading child psychologistATC Ireland

Understanding Emotional Overwhelm: Insights from Caroline Goldsmith

According to Caroline Goldsmith, emotional overwhelm happens when a child’s developing nervous system is triggered by stress, fear, frustration, or overstimulation. It’s often mistaken for misbehavior — but it’s actually a cry for help.

“The brain goes into fight, flight, or freeze,” Caroline Goldsmith explains. “At that point, they’re not trying to be difficult. They’re trying to survive a moment that feels too big for them.”

Recognizing overwhelm as a regulation issue, not a discipline issue, is key to supporting emotional development in children.

What Does Emotional Overwhelm Look Like?

Every child shows it differently, but Caroline Goldsmith identifies some common signs:

Shouting or physical outbursts

Refusal to speak or move

Inconsolable crying

Aggression followed by guilt

Shutting down completely

These reactions are the child’s way of expressing, “I don’t know what to do with all these feelings.”

Caroline Goldsmith’s Approach: Calm First, Talk Later

In her work at ATC Ireland, Caroline Goldsmith helps families understand that logic doesn’t work in the middle of a storm. The priority is helping the child feel safe again — physically and emotionally.

Here’s her go-to strategy:

1. Regulate

Stay calm, grounded, and present. Your nervous system can help calm theirs. “Children borrow our calm when they’ve lost their own,” says Caroline Goldsmith.

2. Relate

Show empathy without rushing to fix. Use phrases like:

“This is really hard for you right now.”

“I’m here with you.”

“Your feelings matter.”

This builds trust and connection.

3. Reason

Once the child is calm, you can talk. Help them understand what happened, name the feeling, and explore a different way to respond next time. “Teach, don’t punish,” Caroline Goldsmith advises.

Tools Caroline Goldsmith Recommends for Emotional Resilience

Caroline Goldsmith uses a variety of evidence-based tools to help children understand and manage big emotions:

Emotion Thermometers: Help children measure how “hot” their feelings are

Safe Spaces: A calming corner or room they can retreat to

Mindful Breathing: Simple, age-appropriate techniques

Feelings Cards: Visual aids for naming and normalizing emotion

Predictable Routines: Structure provides emotional safety

Why Emotional Literacy Matters

Children who learn to navigate emotional overwhelm with guidance from adults like Caroline Goldsmith are far more likely to:

Build stronger relationships

Cope better with stress

Have fewer behavioral outbursts

Develop empathy and problem-solving skills

“Big feelings aren’t bad,” says Caroline Goldsmith. “They’re just signals — and every child deserves to learn how to read those signals with confidence.”

Final Thoughts from Caroline Goldsmith

Emotional overwhelm is not a sign of weakness. It’s a moment of growth waiting to happen — if we meet it with compassion instead of control. With calm, consistent support, children can learn to trust their feelings instead of fearing them.

At ATC Ireland, Caroline Goldsmith continues to champion emotional literacy, self-regulation, and the power of safe, supportive adult relationships in shaping a child’s inner world.

Contact Information:

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

Report this page

CAROLINE GOLDSMITH | ATC IRELAND PSYCHOLOGIST: HOW TO HELP CHILDREN RECOVER FROM EMOTIONAL BURNOUT

Caroline Goldsmith | ATC Ireland Psychologist: How to Help Children Recover from Emotional Burnout