Children and young people sometimes struggle with what is happening within themselves and in their 
environment. They might be suffering in silence, have acting out behaviour, or display behaviours that are completely out of character to how they usually are. Sometimes a change in the family situation (bereavement, step-families, new sibling, parent substance misuse, domestic violence) or ongoing distress (bullying, abuse, anxiety, stress, sexual identity confusion, etc.) can affect children and young people deeply.
Although they know something inside doesn’t feel right and know they are suffering they find it hard to put into words what they are going though. You might not be able to pin point what is affecting them but have noticed an important change in their behaviour (withdrawn, sad, isolated, sleepless, bedwetting, being clingy, rage, change in hygiene, eating, sleeping behaviour, etc.). Other imes you might have a niggle, or suspect they are being targeted by bullying, or suffering with low self-esteem, hopelessness, self-harm, etc.
This can cause anxiety and confusion in adults (parents, teachers, carers) for not being able to understand and help them.
This is when counselling can be of use as it is a third person, not linked in any other role with the young person, who can offer them a safe space to be able to “get out” their emotions and thoughts without needing to protect the adult or being cautious with how they express themselves. With the use of play, art therapy techniques, solution-focused skills and CBT techniques children and young people are able to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, find their inner resources and develop resilience towards facing their reality.
Process
If you are worried about your own child or school/GP have suggested counselling, once you get in touch and we can establish an initial assessment where we can establish the needs, expectations and what I can offer you both.
In the initial assessment (40 minutes) there will be a space for both parent/carer and child/young person to express what they are looking for in counselling. In this time I will explain to both what I can offer, how counselling works and the fundamental element of confidentiality with counselling.
Then the child/YP will have some time on their own with me to expand on what they understand about counselling and what they would like to work on. If there is a need for the parent/carer to add anything in private there will be a time for this aswell.
Then, if both agree and feel your needs and expectations match what I offer, we can agree to being weekly sessions and the most suitable time and day.
Important before initial assessment:
If you have any been thinking about the option of counselling for your child or young person it is important that they have a clear idea of what they might be exposed to. So I suggest before bringing her/him to the session just go over the following with them:
- It is a safe space where they will be able to do things such as art, craft and play while they can talk about their feelings.
- The sessions will be one-to-one, that is only the child with the counsellor, whilst the parent or carer waits outside.
- What is said in the session is confidential, meaning it is kept safe with the counsellor and I won’t need to tell the parents/carers/relevant agency what the child says, unless it was something I felt that put them or people around them in danger.
- They have that time and space to just get out whatever is worrying them and together we might be able to make that “thing” be quieter, less worrying or less hurtful.
- Sessions are usually 30-40 minute sessions (depending on age) every week at the same time and we can agree how many sessions to have.
