FAQs

Counselling for Young People

How much does counselling cost?
Sessions can be booked in packages of 3 at a discounted rate.  I normally charge £50 for 50 minutes.  I am currently offering the option 3 for the price of 2. I appreciate counselling can be expensive.  Subsequent sessions can be offered at a similar discount rate and are typically purchased in groups of 3.

What happens if my child does not want to attend the second or third session?

I know that children can change their minds.  The therapeutic relationship is very important to enable progress.  It is vital that your child is comfortable with me and would like to attend sessions.  If after the first or second session they do not want to attend anymore sessions, I will refund the cost of those remaining sessions.  For ease, I request that those sessions are paid for in cash which will make it easier to return any money for unused sessions.

Who do you work with?
I support young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, school stress, overwhelm, confidence issues and emotional difficulties. I also work alongside parents where appropriate.

What ages do you work with?
Typically those from Year 6 (10/11 years) and older.  I have worked with younger children, however sometimes they are better aligned to work with a Play Therapist (I can suggest one of these if necessary) we can discuss this.

How many sessions will my child need?
I offer short-term support packages of 3–6 sessions. Some young people benefit from additional sessions depending on their needs, which we can discuss together.

What issues can counselling help with?
Counselling may help with:

• Anxiety and worries
• School-related stress or exam pressure
• Low confidence or self-esteem
• Friendship difficulties
• Emotional regulation
• Feeling overwhelmed or withdrawn
• Transitions or changes

What happens in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity to get to know your child, understand what’s going on for them, and discuss goals for support. There is no pressure to share everything immediately.  I normally invite a parent to join the start of the first session to set some ground rules and understanding and to help the child settle into the appointment.

Will I, as a parent, be involved?
Parents are important in supporting young people. Depending on age and needs, I may offer guidance to parents while also protecting the young person’s confidential space.

Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential, with exceptions relating to safety concerns or safeguarding responsibilities. This will be explained clearly at the start.

My child is reluctant to attend therapy. Can counselling still help?
Many young people feel unsure initially. Building trust is important and sessions move at a pace that feels manageable.

Do sessions take place online or in person?
I have a therapy room in Whitchurch, I also offer appointments online and in some cases might be able to complete home visits if the child is not able to come to me for mental health reasons.

How long is each session?
Sessions are 50 mins in length, this might be too long for some children, we can discuss if this is apparent after the first session.

What qualifications and experience do you have?

Include:

• Qualified to Level 4 with CPCAB (which is the basic level of qualification for counsellors).
• Have a counselling degree
• I have worked in two secondary schools as a school counsellor, the first during my training and the second as a fully qualified School Counsellor, since 2021.
• I am a member of the BACP
• I am fully insured and hold a current enhanced DBS.

How do I know if counselling is right for my child?

I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss concerns and see whether my approach feels like a good fit.

How quickly can we start?
I usually try to offer appointments within 7 days of enquiry.

How do I book?
You can contact me via my website, or text me on 07531 947351.  Please note I currently have call screening on my mobile.  I was experiencing many spam/scam/sales calls which use numbers that look like mobile numbers so I was answering the calls incase it was a new counselling enquiry.  I have been advised to screen my calls completely for 3 months in the hope of being taken off of their call lists.  I apologise for any inconvenience with this.

Why choose a counsellor with school experience?

Working within schools gives me first-hand understanding of the pressures young people face today, including anxiety, exam stress, friendship difficulties and school avoidance.  Being in a large secondary school on a weekly basis I understand how the school set up and can difficult.