Walking into a counselling room can feel unfamiliar, especially for children and young people. But spotting something they already know and enjoy — perhaps a Pikachu, Charizard or well-loved stack of Pokémon cards — can make the space feel a little more comfortable. Using a child’s interests can be a lovely way to build connection. Pokémon cards, in particular, are full of characters, strengths, weaknesses, abilities, battles and evolution, making them rich conversation start