More to counselling than just talking

I proudly offer counselling sessions for children and young people experiencing difficulties.

I am qualified in both counselling and children, registered with NCPS and adhere to the specific Ethical Standards of working with children and young people.  I have a current Children's DBS with List Check, which is on the update service; this means I am checked against the barred list on a weekly basis, and a full DBS check is undertaken every 9 months.  I have had my DBS in place since 2014.

I use therapeutic techniques that support my client to feel less pressured in the session and enable them to open up about the difficulties they are experiencing.  This is a mixture of activities, games, talking therapy and learning coping skills that can be used throughout their lives to support a calmer, more manageable future.

Under 13's

For children under 13 years old, our first session will be with parents to fully understand my client's concerns and agree on goals for the sessions. For this age group, Parents and caregivers will either come in for the last five minutes of the session, or I will email after each session. This is to give parents and caregivers a brief summary of our discussion and any home activities my client can be supported with at home.

13+

I will use my judgment and guidance from the Fraser Guidelines to decide whether I liaise directly with parents and caregivers of children aged 13 and over or leave my client to share what they feel their parents or caregivers need to know. 

Payment

Counselling is usually paid for by a parent or caregiver, sometimes by another agency, any of whom may feel this payment means they can know what is being said in the sessions.  This is not true.  While I have a duty of care for all my clients in terms of safeguarding and protecting them from criminal activity, our sessions are confidential. I will agree with my client on what information will be shared with others.