In the first sessions a child can simply play. That's fine: trust comes first.
to talk
Zlata Koval, child psychologist in Kyiv and online.
A calm place
for children
and their parents
We play
we listen
we work it out
together
Children rarely say "I'm anxious". They stop sleeping, cling to you at the school gate, or explode over a sock. I help you work out what your child is trying to say, and what to do about it.
For children aged 3 to 14. In my Kyiv playroom or online, wherever your family is now.
Your child isn't being difficult.
They're trying to tell you something.
I don't fix children, and I don't judge parents. My job is to find the reason behind the behaviour and give you something you can try at home this week. Most of my work happens through play, because that's how children under twelve talk about what's hard.
How sessions work→to talk
Every four or five sessions we meet without your child to talk about what I see and what's changing at home.
part of the work
Sand, figures, drawings and stories let a child show what they can't yet put into words.
the language
"Hyperactive" or "lazy" explains nothing. I want to know what's underneath.
not labels
Most families notice the first changes after six to eight weeks. Some things take longer, and I'll tell you honestly.
pace
You know your child.
If something feels off, it's worth a conversation.
01
Fears and anxiety
Afraid of the dark, of being alone, of sirens. Stomach aches before school that the doctor can't explain.
02
Sleep
Won't fall asleep without you, wakes up at night, has nightmares, has started wetting the bed again.
03
Anger and meltdowns
Meltdowns that last an hour, hitting a younger sibling, slamming doors, then crying and saying sorry.
04
Moving
A new country, a new language, a new school. Or a return home that doesn't feel like home anymore.
05
After frightening events
Shelling, nights in the corridor, time apart from a parent. Children often react later than adults, sometimes months later.
06
Loss
Someone close has died or left, and you don't know what to tell a five-year-old.
07
School and friends
Doesn't want to go, has no friends, is being bullied or is bullying others.
08
Family changes
A divorce, a new baby, a parent away at the front. The family changes shape, and your child has to find their place in it.
Quick check: is it time to talk to someone?
Tick what has been true for more than three weeks. This isn't a diagnosis. It helps you decide whether to call.
If your child talks about wanting to die or hurting themselves, don't wait for an appointment. Call 112, or the National Child Hotline on 116 111.
Book a first meeting→
Zlata Koval, child psychologist
I'm Zlata. I've spent nine years
on the floor of a playroom.
I'm a child psychologist in Kyiv. I trained in clinical psychology, then spent two more years learning play therapy and sandplay, because talking at children across a desk wasn't working.
Since 2022, most of the families I see have been through something frightening: nights in shelters, a move abroad, a parent at the front. I trained in trauma-focused CBT for children so I could help them properly.
I have a seven-year-old son. He doesn't care that I'm a psychologist, and he still refuses to wear a hat.
- MA in Clinical Psychology, 2017
- Play therapy and sandplay, two-year training
- Trauma-focused CBT for children and teens
- Regular supervision with a senior colleague
- Languages: Ukrainian, English
9years in practice
600+families
3-14ages I work with
2languages
Everything in this room
is here for a reason.
To a child it looks like a room full of toys. To me it's a set of tools. Here's what each one is for.
Online sessions use the same tools. Before we start, I post you a small kit: a few figures, clay and feelings cards.
Five steps,
at your child's pace.
Free call
You tell me briefly what's going on, and I tell you honestly whether I'm the right person. If I'm not, I'll suggest who is.
Meeting with parents
We talk about your child's history, what worries you and what you've already tried. You leave with a first plan and a couple of things to try at home.
Getting to know each other
Your child comes to play. I watch, ask very little and let them lead. Then we meet again, I tell you what I've seen, and we agree on how many sessions we'll need.
Regular sessions
Usually between 8 and 16 sessions. Every four or five weeks we meet without your child to look at what's changing.
Ending
We don't stop suddenly. Sessions move to every other week, then we say a proper goodbye. You can always come back for a check-in.
In Kyiv or online.
Whichever works for you.
Intro call
15 minutes
Free
To see whether we're a good fit.
Book→Parent meeting
60 minutes
€30
Without your child. This is where we usually start.
Book→Session with your child
50 minutes
€35
Through play. Online for children aged 6 and up; with younger ones I work through the parents.
Book→Package
8 sessions + 2 parent meetings
€290
You can pay in two parts.
Book→I keep four places a month at half price for families who have lost their home or a parent in the war. Just ask. I won't need documents.
You can cancel or move a session for free up to 24 hours before. Air raid alerts never count as cancellations: we just find another time.
What parents
write to me.
Demo reviews for a portfolio concept.
18:42
OM
olena.m_wawActive now
Today 18:40
Sofiia slept in her own bed the whole week 🥹
After the move I thought it would never happen. Thank you for not pushing her to talk
❤️
Olena, that's her work too. Give her a hug from me 🤍
20:15
IrynaVideo call · 24:16
LIVE CAPTIONSI came expecting to be told I was a bad mother. Instead I got a plan for our evenings, and the tantrums went from every day to once a week.
21:07
N
Nataliaonline
Today
Good evening! Andrii asked me today when dad will be home. By himself, out loud.21:02
For months he wouldn't say a word about it, he only drew. Now we talk every evening, the way you showed us.21:03
That's a big step. See you on Thursday 🙂21:06 ✓✓
19:20
KT
kate.tkachukActive 5m ago
Replied to your story
We tried the feelings cards at dinner. Marta picked "worried" and told us about a fight at school 🙏
That's exactly how it works. She chose to tell you, and that matters most 🤍
09:31
Dmytrolast seen recently
D
October 21
Vira is doing fine. School, friends, even the dentist without tears.09:25
You were right that we didn't need you anymore. Thank you for saying it yourself.09:25
Best news of my week. Write any time 💛09:30 ✓✓
08:57
O
Oksanaonline
Today
Zlata, good morning! A small victory: Tymofii went into kindergarten today without crying 🙌08:51
The goodbye ritual works. Two hugs and a wave at the window.08:52
Hooray! Tell him I'm proud of him08:56 ✓✓
07:12
SSerhii
Today 07:05
Mila slept through the whole night, alert and all. First time since spring.
Breathing with the cloud really helps. Now she's teaching her little brother 😄
That's wonderful. Let's talk about it on Monday
Read 07:11
Small things
that help at home.
Short guides I give parents after the first meeting. Print them out, stick them on the fridge and try one tonight.
Book a free call→How to talk to a child about air raid alerts
A bedtime routine for anxious children
Feelings cards to cut out
What to say when someone has died
Zlata Koval / Child psychologistA calm place for children and their parents
What parents
usually ask.
Yes, but you don't need to make a big thing of it. Something like: "There's a woman who helps children when things feel hard. She has a room full of toys." Before the first session we'll agree on what to say.
I'll tell you what you need to know to help: the themes, the progress and what to do at home. I won't repeat a child's words back to you, because they need to trust the room. If I learn that your child is in danger, I'll tell you straight away.
For children aged 6 and up, yes, with the small kit of figures and clay I post to you. With younger children I usually work online with the parents, and see the child in person if you're in Kyiv.
No. I'm a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. If I think your child needs a medical assessment, I'll say so and recommend a child psychiatrist or neurologist I trust.
I can help with the emotional side: anxiety, meltdowns, friendships. Diagnosis and specialised therapy belong with neurologists and developmental specialists, and I'll point you to good ones.
In Kyiv we go down to the shelter in the building, and if your child is calm we carry on there. Online, we pause and reschedule. Alerts never count as a cancellation.
Most families notice the first changes in six to eight weeks. Sleep and tantrums often improve sooner. Grief and trauma take longer. At every parent meeting we check whether it's working.
Please do. It helps me to hear both of you. If you're separated, we can meet separately.
Let's start
with a conversation.
Fill in the form and I'll reply within a day, usually sooner. The first call is free and takes 15 minutes.
- PlayroomPodil, Kyiv, 5 minutes from Kontraktova Ploshcha metro
- HoursMon to Fri 10:00 to 19:00, Sat 10:00 to 14:00
- Phone+380 00 123 45 67 (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp)