Children & Young People
If you are a young person and think you need help
If you are a young person and would like to see me, it is preferable that you have discussed this with a parent or carer and have their support and permission. If you are aged 16 or over and feel this isn’t possible, please contact me and we can discuss your situation. All young people under the age of 16 must have the permission of their parent/carer.
There are a number of support services for Children & Young People and you may wish to consider these:
Childline 0800 111 – free to speak with a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.Childline.org.uk
Samaritans 116 123 – free to call and speak with a trained volunteer 24 hours a day 7 days a week or email jo@samaritans.org. www.samaritans.org
Kooth – suitable for children and young people aged between 11 – 24 years. Available for support up to 10pm every day. www.kooth.com
If you are in an emergency and there is risk to life - call 999.
“The Curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am,
then I can change”. Carl Rogers
Benefits of Child Counselling
A few examples of how counselling can help children include: processing a loss or bereavement; managing anxiety; coping with everyday worries such as exam stress, family or peer relationships. Counselling can also help with attachment issues; issues with food and body image; self-harming behaviours; traumatic experiences; gender identity; sexuality; depression & emotional dysregulation, to name a few.
Really, if something is causing your child to feel unhappy, however small you or they feel it is, they may benefit from speaking with a trained counsellor. Counselling enables your child to speak to someone about the things that are bothering them safely, with confidence and without fear of judgement.
When looking for help for your child it is important to choose a professional that is experienced and qualified in this area. It is important that a child counsellor has a good understanding of child development, youth culture, working with issues relevant to this age group, safeguarding and the legal issues in counselling children and young people.
I have extensive experience working with children and young people from the age of 5 – 25 years. I have completed a post qualifying Diploma in counselling children and young people and additional training in working with children and young people online. I also hold certificates in Early Years Care & Education and Early Years Practice. I attend regular safeguarding training and hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate. I am an approved provider of Adoption Support with Adopt South.
I have worked in several primary, secondary school and university settings. In addition to counselling, I have worked as a Clinical Lead and Safeguarding Lead for a Counselling & Psychotherapy Service supporting Children and Young people on the Isle of Wight.
What I need to know
The first session is always an assessment session. This is an opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other. If a child is under the age of 13, a parent or carer will attend the assessment along with their child. If a young person is attending aged 13+, they will be asked if they wish to attend on their own or prefer to have a parent/carer attend the assessment session with them, this is completely their choice.
Attending counselling or meeting someone new can be difficult for some children and young people so it is important that you speak with them about why they are coming. All children must consent to coming to see me, if a child or young person feels they don’t wish to continue after the assessment then their wishes should be respected. They may not be ready for counselling and would prefer to seek support at another time.
Children & Young People generally attend their ongoing counselling sessions on their own and I ask parents to drop and collect the child or young person at the door. There may be times however, where it would be beneficial for a parent/carer to attend a session with their child and this will be discussed. An essential feature of counselling is that the information disclosed is treated confidentially. It enables young people to open up and share feelings without fear of blame or reprisals. It is also a time when it is acceptable to talk about concerns without fear of them being discussed elsewhere. This includes not discussing the work with parents, unless the young person requests or gives consent for this. I acknowledge that this isn’t an easy situation for parents, and it is quite natural for parents to feel anxious about what may be being said in the sessions but ensuring the confidentiality of the work is crucial for establishing trust so that the young person feels confident to speak openly and freely about what is concerning them.
"Life, at its best, is a flowing, changing process
in which nothing is fixed". Carl Rogers
Services & Costs
Individual Counselling Sessions:
50 minutes - £50
I can offer a warm, safe environment from my Counselling Office in Chillerton, Newport, Isle of Wight. There is also an outdoor space available if you prefer to work outside.
Online Video Counselling:
50 minutes - £50
If you are unable to meet in person, I am happy to offer you individual video counselling sessions to accommodate your needs. Online counselling sessions are via Zoom.
Please note: this service is only available to Young People aged 11+ and with parent/carer permission if under 16 years of age.
Walk & Talk Counselling:
50 minutes - £50
Walk & Talk sessions are a creative alternative to traditional counselling. Instead of having sessions inside my office, the sessions will take place outdoors in and around Chillerton or around the grounds of Carisbrooke Castle.
Please note: this service is only available to Young People aged 11+ and with parent/carer permission if under 16 years of age.
* Please note these fees do not apply to work undertaken for organisations/services. A quote for work can be submitted on request.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend our session but provide me with more than 48-hour notice, there is no charge and we can simply re-arrange our session. However, any sessions cancelled within the 48-hour notice period will be charged at the full session fee. Fees are payable by Bank Transfer 48 hours prior to the session to secure your appointment with me. Any sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will still be charged.