Counselling for children and young people

Children need help when coming to terms with their parents separation/divorce. Counselling offers your child/children time and space where they can talk confidentially to a professional counsellor. The counsellor will help them explore and make sense of their thoughts, feelings and reactions to the new situation in the knowledge they will not be criticised or judged, and be given the opportunity to develop positive self-esteem.

What happens in counselling?

We offer a time limited model of up to 12 sessions. These sessions include 2-4 assessment and review meetings with the parents to discuss the counselling and their child’s progress, and 8-10 counselling sessions with the child. To access this service children need to be aged 4 and over.

Before counselling sessions with a child start, signed parental consent will be requested from at least one parent.  Both parents will be informed about counselling taking place.

Information discussed in sessions remains confidential between counsellor and child, unless the child agrees for it to be shared. This ensures a child can speak openly and express any thoughts and feelings freely. In exceptional circumstances where the counsellor has concern about child safeguarding issues pertinent information must be shared with relevant others. We do not write reports for court in order to keep a neutral stance for the benefit of your child.

Each session lasts 50 minutes and usually take place at the same time each week. We ask you to arrive punctually as meetings and sessions cannot be extended beyond the agreed time.

Referring a child to the MiD CYP Counselling Service

Parents can refer themselves by completing the referral form or telephone us to request a referral form.

Parents and counsellor will meet before their child starts counselling. Parents can meet with the counsellor separately or together. Parent sessions also run for 50 minutes when together or 25 mins if done separately.