Have I failed as parent if my child needs counselling? 

No, you have not failed as a parent if you think your child would benefit from some additional support. We are living in a world where the importance of talking and looking after our mental health is ever growing and it is great that you can recognise that your child needs someone external to talk to. 

How do I know if my child needs counselling? 

If your child shows signs or says they would like to end their lives, harm themselves or others then immediately seek help.  

It can be difficult to distinguish between general developmental behaviours i.e. hormonal changes and behaviours that are of concern. If your child is showing signs of heighten anxiety, low moods, extended/frequent levels of anger; and these are impacting school or home life even with extra support from yourselves or school, then it may help to look at further external support.   

How will counselling help my child? 

It is a time and safe space for them to talk about their perspective on life and express their emotions, feelings and behaviours around issues or concerns they may have.  

What aged children do you work with? 

I am comfortable and have experience of working with children and young people of all ages. Please note I only work online with children ages 11 and over. 

I’m on a waiting list for CAMHs can you still help? 

Yes, you are able to seek support whilst on any waiting list. However, it is important that the child only works with one counsellor at any one time.  

Can my child see you whilst they are at school? 

I am not able to attend your child’s school, however, if we work online (11yr+) and the school agree and can provide a confidential space we could hold our sessions during their school day. 

I do have a number of after school spaces for anyone younger/someone preferring in person counselling. 

How long is a session? How many sessions will they need? 

Each session is 50 minutes long and ideally weekly sessions are held, for 6 weeks, in order for your child and I to get to know each other. After this I am willing to discuss bi-weekly sessions.  

I work in an open-ended way meaning that there is no session restriction on our work, but we will naturally come to an end in our work. If your child decides they would no longer like to attend, I ask that I am given one session notice in order to end our work ethically. If you decide you would like your child to finish working with me, please make sure you discuss this your child prior to telling me.   

Where do the counselling sessions take place? 

I work out of Kings Hill on a Monday, Staplehurst on a Wednesday and also work online (Zoom). 

Shall I tell my child I’d like them to have counselling? 

Absolutely, this work is for them by them and it is important they are part of the process from the very beginning. They might not know what counselling is, so it is important the process is explained to them. 

Will you tell me what my child says in your sessions? 

All information shared between myself and your child remains confidential unless agreed by them. I will always encourage any child I work with to communicate with a safe adult outside of the counselling room, but I will respect their wishes if they are not comfortable with this. 

The only time I will break confidentiality is when I feel there is a risk to the child and/or another.  

Can I ask my child about their counselling sessions? 

Of course, though please be prepared that they may not want to share much/any of our conversations.  

What can I do to help? 

Being a parent is hard, we have so much to manage but it is important that we find ways to communicate with our children and acknowledging their perspective on a situation and what it means to them; you may do this via talking, txt or a notebook.  

If they know they can share thoughts or feelings they have experienced or discussed with me without being shamed or ignored then, overtime, they may open up more. 

Can you work with siblings? 

Unfortunately, I am unable to work with siblings or family members of someone I am already working with. I am happy to help you find a suitable counsellor if you would like support for another family member.  

How do you approach children’s counselling? 

As with adult counselling I am led by the child. I use age-appropriate games, toys, worksheets, crafts and sand trays to allow your child to express themselves in a way that feels comfortable to them.  

I am happy to discuss topics of concern that you may have mentioned, however, if you update me about them in between sessions then it is important you let them know you have done so. I will mention it to them, so it is best it does not come as a surprise. 

I would like you to work with my child, what next? 

That’s great and please know I do not take this role or responsibility lightly. 

You can contact me via the contact form; email, txt or telephone call where we shall arrange your free 30-minute consultation.  

What information will you need from me? 

The free 30-minute consultation is a chance for you to get a sense of who I am and for me to get a better understanding of what is going on for your child. We will be talking about what is going on for them now, family and peer dynamics, the pregnancy and their birth; along with how they have been coping and similarly how you have been coping. All information given is at your discretion and will be held confidentially.