Child Counselling
We create a safe space to encourage children to express how they are feeling and help them identify tools to support them.
We Offer Counselling For Children
Many young children struggle with emotional and behavioural challenges which can cause problems now and in the future, unless they are supported to address them.
Dealing with issues early on lays the foundations for a happy, healthy and successful transition into adulthood.
Our Approach
We offer a number of approaches including talking therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help young children deal with issues such as separation anxiety, exam stress, self-confidence, body image, relationship challenges and negotiating transitions (e.g. into secondary school).
This leads towards a better understanding of themselves, their relationships and their behaviour and gives them practical tools and techniques to help them establish healthier patterns.
We also offer support and coaching for parents.
How We Work
At TeenMatters, we believe that the earlier we can support a young person with their challenges the better. That is why we also offer 1-1 therapy sessions to children of primary school age, especially those beginning to transition into adolescence. Children can struggle to communicate their inner world to adults if they don’t have the language or maybe they find it too upsetting. Therefore, they may communicate their needs through their behaviour such as becoming withdrawn or acting out.
We have an integrative approach when working with children drawing on neuroscience, play therapy, psychotherapeutic theory and attachment theory. The use of creative materials such as sandplay, art, clay, storytelling are some of the ways that we help children to express their emotions and anxieties in a way that is natural to them. The aim is to help the child move from reacting impulsively under stress to reflecting and expressing their feelings safely. As every child is unique we work in a tailored way that responds to their individual needs.
In order to facilitate lasting change in the child we involve the parent by means of regular reviews. This provides an opportunity to discuss any further concerns, to monitor progress, share resources and explore different ways to help you support the young person at home.
Step 1 – Referral made via the website
Step 2 – There is an email information sharing exchange between therapist and parent/client to assess suitability and availability for step 3.
Step 3 – Initial meeting with parents or guardians. This can be face-to-face or via Zoom. During this time we can chat through family history, context to the current challenges, discuss any concerns and questions and cover consent and confidentiality agreements. This consultation session costs £100 and lasts 50 minutes.
Step 4 – An initial meeting and assessment with the child. The assessment session with the young person costs £100 and lasts 50 minutes.
Step 5 – If all parties are in agreement, weekly, individual 1-1 sessions with the child begin (normally following a school term structure and observing school holidays). These sessions cost £80 and are payable in advance of the first session, usually in half term blocks. In addition, parent coaching sessions may happen alongside where helpful.
Step 6 – Regular short check ins with parents/guardians via email and a parent session every term (or more frequently if required).
Depending on your child’s individual needs, short-term therapy of 6-12 weeks may be most suitable, otherwise longer-term therapy with regular reviews may be agreed. It is important for parents/guardians to be aware that it can take several months for counselling to make a long-term difference and in a lot of cases a longer commitment may be most beneficial.
We Can Help Young Children With
These Common Problems
Anxiety & Panic Attacks
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Bullying
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Self Esteem Concerns
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Body Image
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Friendship Issues
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ADD/ADHD
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Trauma
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Grief and Loss
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Anger Issues
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Transition into secondary school
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Not Wanting to go to School
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11 Plus Exam Stress
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Divorced Parents
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Living With Family Addiction or Illness
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What Our Clients Are Saying
“My 12 year old daughter went to see Margaret as she suffers with anxiety. My daughter straight away felt at ease and not judged or made to feel different. What I found wonderful was I was able to sit in with her during her sessions. Margaret made me, as a parent, feel so much better as I was at breaking point. After speaking to her, I didn’t feel I was alone dealing with my daughter’s anxiety. I also felt calmer and both my daughter and I were given tools to help us cope.”
“Thanks as always for all the work you are doing with my daughter. Hugely appreciative of the difference this is making for her.”