Martyna Cattaneo
Emotional Literacy Specialist
Every young person carries a world of feelings inside them, and learning to understand and manage those emotions is the key to unlocking their full potential. I believe that emotional wellbeing and academic success go hand in hand, and my work is dedicated to helping children feel safe, understood, and valued-so they can truly thrive not just in the classroom, but in every part of life.
Take the first step today and discover how young people can build confidence, resilience, and emotional strength.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation call to discuss individual needs and explore how we can work together-whether you're a parent, educator, or professional-helping children and young people thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Why Emotional Literacy Matters
What if every young person had the confidence, clarity, and inner strength to face life's challenges head-on?
Emotional literacy makes this possible. It's the foundation for learning, behaviour, and relationships-helping young people understand their feelings, communicate clearly, and build healthier connections. When children develop these skills, they grow more resilient, empathetic, and self-assured. They're better able to regulate big emotions, protect their mental health, and reduce anxiety, school avoidance, and behavioural struggles. And as these skills grow, classrooms become calmer, happier, and more focused-places where every young person feels supported, capable, and ready to shine.
How We Can Work Together
Individual or Small Group Emotional Literacy Sessions (In-Person & Online)
Does your child struggle with anxiety, get easily overwhelmed, or find it hard to manage big emotions? Do you worry about low confidence, difficulty concentrating, emotional outbursts, avoiding school, or challenges making friends?
My individual emotional literacy sessions provide personalised support to help children navigate these challenges with practical, gentle strategies. Through creative, age-appropriate techniques, children learn to recognise and understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and build resilience that lasts beyond each session.
Using methods such as Drawing and Talking Therapy, LEGO® Therapy, Zones of Regulation, and more, I guide children through calming breathing exercises, sensory grounding activities, and simple tools they can apply at home or school. Each session is tailored to your child's unique needs, helping them feel more confident, balanced, and in control of their emotions.
Sessions last 50 minutes and are typically offered weekly, either in-person in Geneva or online (teenagers) for families further afield. They are especially effective for children experiencing:
- Anxiety or stress
- Low self-esteem
- Anger or emotional outbursts
- Difficulty focusing
- School avoidance
- Friendship or social challenges
- Specific developmental or emotional needs
By the end of each session, children gain practical skills to stay present, regulate their emotions, improve social skills, and engage fully with the world around them-all in a playful, supportive, and age-appropriate way.
Need Help with Big Emotions?
Sometimes life can feel tricky-you might feel anxious, upset, or just not sure how to handle your feelings. Maybe school feels overwhelming, friendships are tricky, or you find it hard to focus. You're not alone-and you can learn ways to feel calmer, more confident, and in control.
In our one-to-one sessions, we'll work together to:
- Understand your emotions and what's behind them
- Find strategies to manage stress, anger, or worries
- Build confidence and feel better about yourself
- Tackle things like school avoidance, friendship issues, or trouble concentrating
I use fun, creative activities like drawing, storytelling, LEGO® Therapy, and simple mindfulness exercises-all tailored to what works for you.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and can be in-person in Geneva or online. Together, we'll find ways to help you feel more in control, calm, and ready to face everyday challenges.
Collaboration with Schools & Professionals
Are you a teacher, school leader, or staff member looking to support the emotional wellbeing of your students and community? I offer practical, evidence-based workshops and sessions for schools, parents, and staff to build awareness and skills around emotional literacy.
What I Offer:
- Staff Training (perfect for staff training days): Focused, practical sessions and morning coffee chats designed to help staff reconnect with students, understand their emotional and behavioral signals, and gain simple strategies to support emotional regulation and resilience in the classroom
- Parent Workshops: Practical sessions to help parents understand, support, and nurture their child's emotional development at home
- Assemblies & Group Sessions: Engaging, age-appropriate sessions for students to introduce emotional literacy concepts, mindfulness, and social skills
- Whole-School Initiatives: Guidance on creating a positive emotional climate, embedding emotional literacy across the curriculum, and fostering a supportive school culture
Benefits for Schools:
- Reduced behavioural incidents and emotional crises
- Improved classroom engagement, learning outcomes, and staff confidence
- Stronger parent-school partnerships and community involvement
- Development of emotionally aware, resilient students ready to learn and thrive
- Positive impact on school culture, inclusion, and wellbeing for all
Sessions are flexible and tailored to your school's specific needs, whether it's a single workshop, ongoing training, or a whole-school programme. By embedding emotional literacy and awareness, schools create an environment where children, staff, and families all feel supported, understood, and empowered.
Contact me for availability and fees.
Note: My sessions are not covered by Swiss health insurance. However, some international health insurance plans may reimburse my fees. Please check directly with your provider.
About Me
As a mum of a boy and a girl, I understand the emotional ups and downs that children experience-and the hopes, worries, and dreams that parents carry with them. This personal insight shapes everything I do. It allows me to connect with families not only as a specialist, but as someone who truly "gets it" from a parent's perspective.
I am a trained Emotional Literacy Specialist, qualified as an ELSA and in a Drawing and Talking therapy, with over twelve years of experience supporting children through emotional challenges, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and social difficulties. I am also trained in supporting Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and use neurodiversity-affirming approaches throughout my work.
A significant part of my practice is dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children, including those with:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Sensory Processing Differences
I help young people build emotional literacy, develop communication and social skills, strengthen self-confidence, and feel safe and understood in both school and home environments.
I hold a degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Middlesex University in London and have spent more than two decades working in London and its vibrant surroundings, supporting children and families across diverse educational settings. I have now relocated to the beautiful city of Geneva, where I continue to dedicate my work to helping young people navigate their emotions with confidence, resilience, and self-awareness.
In my sessions, I use gentle, evidence-based approaches such as Drawing and Talking Therapy, Lego-Based Therapy, Zones of Regulation, helping children make sense of their emotions, process difficult experiences, and learn practical tools for emotional regulation. I work closely with families and schools when supporting children experiencing EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance), working alongside families to rebuild safety, trust, and a positive relationship with learning.
Through therapeutic support, personalised coaching, and parent workshops, my mission is simple: to empower young people to understand their emotions, feel safe expressing themselves, and thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
