Information for Parents and Carers

All parents have the responsibility of helping their children to grow and develop. Occasionally children and young people may need a kind of help and support with their problems and worries that parents cannot offer. Sometimes, no matter how well they get on with their parents, they may find it hard to talk openly to them. Children often get help and support by talking to someone they trust like parents, a teacher, a relative or sometimes friends can help too. Often having a problem or concern can affect a child's behaviour and school work. Having access to a qualified counsellor may help.

 How can Counselling help?

I am a fully qualified Counsellor who is good at relating to children and young people as well as being trained to listen at a deeper level without judgment. Counselling can help young people to sort through their thoughts and feelings in order to make sense of what is going on in their world. Counselling can also support the development of positive changes such as healthy coping strategies and managing emotions.

I have a private Counselling room where sessions will not be disturbed. I can do appointments outside of school time on a day that suits your child. The length of the sessions are sixty minutes. With younger children, Counselling sessions may involve play and craft materials. What is talked about during the sessions is confidential, but your child will be told that some of their problems may be discussed with other people and agencies to get help for them if they agree. If your child is thought to be at risk of significant harm this information will be shared with you. Sometimes, with yours and the child's knowledge and consent a referral to other agencies may be suggested if it is thought that it would benefit your child’s mental health and wellbeing.

What does the initial appointment look like?

If you contact me to arrange an initial appointment you and your child will be invited to meet with me. At the beginning of this appointment I will go through the Counselling Agreement with you and your child. Once we have signed and agreed to the contract I will begin an assessment with your child. Counselling needs to be a voluntary process and children must choose to attend. During the first session I will explain to your child what Counselling is and how it may be able to support them. At the end of the first session it will be the decision of you and your child if they would like to return for regular sessions.

What can Counselling help with?

There can be lots of pressures on Young People growing up. Counselling can help with friendships, teasing and bullying; exams and school work; family relationships, separations and changes; as well as illness, and loss or death of someone close. Young People also have to cope with adolescence and the strong feelings and physical changes that go with it. Even quite young children can find that the time and space they get from counselling helps them to improve their mood and cope better with life’s challenges.

How can a Parent or Carer support the Counselling?

It will help your child if you accept Counselling as a normal and useful engagement. Showing an interest can help if they want to talk to you about it and keeping the lines of communication open allows them to feel as though they are supported without feelings pressured to talk about things. Allow them privacy if they would prefer not to discuss it. Counselling is not usually an immediate fix and it can sometimes take time for young people to feel better so giving the process time to work and removing any pressure for a child to ‘get better’ can be helpful.