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​Some of the ways we can work together:

What is counselling? 

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  • Counselling is a space where you can talk freely and be listened to.

  • We try to understand what is happening for you together.

  • We work together.

  • I do not give advice or tell you what to do.​

  • I do not judge you. 

  • ​Although there will be some rules (like not hurting or touching each other) you will get to decide what we talk or do not talk about, if we play a game, if you want to colour, do a task or sit quietly. 

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What can I talk about?

​You can talk about anything you want to or talk about nothing at all and use the space to sit quietly.  I often hear about family members, school teachers, friends or what you like doing, eating, watching.
You can decide what you feel comfortable talking about and what you don’t. 
 

How will it actually help me?
Often as children and young people we are just told what to do and have to do it.

By having a relationship with an adult where you can set the agenda it can help you gain confidence that your choices and decisions are ok and that you are a person are pretty cool. 

Often the adults in your lives may be busy, stressed or distracted an you don't want to bother them or feel that what you've got going on isn't important enough or you might be told to get over it or grow up. Having someone to listen to those problems can make it easier because your no longer carrying them around with you. 

A problem shared, is a problem halved.
 

Can I trust you?

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It can feel hard to trust an adult to not tell on you or share your secrets and stories with other people.

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  • Everything you say to me stays between me and you.

  • There is 1 other person who you will never meet and they will never meet you. In fact they, wont even know your name just you initials and age. This person helps me by listening to what is happening in our time together and giving a different way of looking at things that might help our sessions together. 

  • If you tell me that you or someone else is at risk of immediate harm I will have to tell an adult. I will always try to work with you to help you find the bravery to tell someone else yourself but if you cant do that I may have to tell them my concerns.

  • I will never share with those people anything that is not related to my concern.

  • Your safety is incredibly important. 

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Playing and Games


Everyone likes to play. It can be with toys, colours, images or words and ideas.

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  • In these sessions together we can play with anything in the room.

  • If there is a game you particularly like you can bring it with you or ask if I have it to bring along. 

  • If you are not someone that likes to play with toys and prefers crafts, stories or ideas we do this as well.

  • It might feel weird coming to therapy to "play" but playing helps you feel relaxed and it can sometimes be easier to show what is going on for you then speaking

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The first session

The first session is different to the ones afterwards.

  •  At the beginning of the 1st session your parent will come into the room with you and we can have a chat about why you are there.

  • I will ask both you and your family questions. This can feel really weird to have adults talk about you in front of you but it also feel safer to have someone who you know there to help you.  The reason we do this is so that I get an understanding of what is going on for you. 

  • Towards the end of the 1st session I will then ask your adult to leave so we can have a talk together. I ask them to  wait in the waiting room so they are there for you when we have finished chatting. 

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Sessions After the First session

If you and your adult decide you want to come back.

  • Although they will probably still bring you, they will wait in the waiting room and we will have our session time together alone. 

    • If this feels scary we can work up to that and have your adult in at the beginning of sessions until your comfortable alone.

  • They will be 50 minutes long

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    They will most likely be once a week and I will tell you if there are any breaks coming up.

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If your still unsure or nervous about coming along to meet me that's very understandable and lots of people feel this way (even adults). This is something we can talk about and we an try and find a way help you feel more at ease. 

Information for Parents & Carers

Why therapy could help my child?

As children we may have felt that we have so many plates in the air trying to please, friends, family, school and ourselves. It can feel really confusing and difficult for them. 

By having a unique relationship with an adult where they don't have to worry about upsetting or pleasing me can help they develop confidence in who they are, their abilities and what they are good at.

For children who don't want to (or cant) sit and talk about how they feel, being able to play freely during the session and having the sole attention of an adult not distracted by the many things adults have to think about can help them feel seen and heard. 

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Will you say its all my fault?

This is a fear that parents often have but it will not be the case. 

The fact you are even looking at this website and considering therapy for your child shows that you care and love them. 

We are all humans trying to get by and doing the best we can. 

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How much will I be involved?

  • We will have an initial phone telephone conversation to get a feel of the issue and if we think we could work together and if you feel I could with your child.

  • You will come to the initial in person session and be asked to leave (if your child is comfortable) towards the end.

  • I offer telephone or in-person review sessions every 6 weeks to let you know any themes that your child has been talking about and for you to let me know any information you want to share.

  • I will not tell you the details of what has been said but give a general indication of how your child might be feeling.

  • Any important information you feel is relevant can be told to me before the sessions starts but it is important that your child is aware we are working together and not hiding information so I ask this is done with them present.

  • If you child feels that they would like to share something with you and want my support with this I may call you into the session a few minutes early to help them facilitate the conversation.

  • If I feel there is risk of immediate danger I will inform you or the adult of your childs choice (within reason)- Please refer to the confidentially and safeguarding section below.

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Confidentiality and Safeguarding

  • Confidentially is really important so that your child feels they can speak freely.

  • What your child says to me will be kept between me and them and my supervisor. (who is another therapist I share my client load with using initials only in order to provide the most effective and safe service to you and your child)

  • If I am concerned that your child is in immediate risk of harm from themselves or others I would first encourage them to tell a trusted adult or if they felt unable to I would inform you.  

  • Their safety is the most important thing.

  • I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

  • I have a 1st class honours degree in counselling with additional level 5 training to work with Children and young people, including the  relevant legal and ethical considerations for this age group.

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Practical details

  • 50 minute sessions

  • Preferably weekly to allow a therapeutic relationship to be establish but can be flexible

  • £60 per session

  • Review sessions:- in person £60

                                                                             â€‹                                   - On the phone - £30

  • Sessions take place in a room designed with children in mind ​

Based at:

Rooms For Therapists,

40-44 The Broadway,

London

SW19 1RQ

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How to get started

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This will give you a chance to task any questions, tell me a little about your child, discuss any concerns and let me know why you think counselling could help your child.

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