Counselling for children & young
people in Southport
When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know how best to help.
You may have noticed changes in their mood, behaviour, confidence or relationships.
Perhaps they're anxious, overwhelmed, withdrawing, struggling at school or finding it difficult to put into words how they're feeling.
Sometimes children don't know how to explain what's going on either.
I offer a warm, supportive and age-appropriate space where children and young people can express themselves, make sense of their feelings and develop ways of coping with the things they're finding difficult.
You know your child best
Sometimes it's obvious that a child is struggling.
Other times, it's simply a feeling that something isn't quite right.
You might have noticed that your child or young person is:
More anxious or worried than usual
Perhaps they're overthinking, seeking lots of reassurance or avoiding things they previously managed.
Struggling with big emotions
Anger, frustration, sadness or overwhelm may seem to come quickly or feel difficult for them to manage.
Withdrawing or becoming quieter
They may be spending more time alone, communicating less or seeming disconnected from family or friends.
Finding school difficult
This might include anxiety around attending, friendship difficulties, academic pressure, bullying or feeling overwhelmed by the school environment.
Struggling with confidence or self-esteem
They may be very hard on themselves, compare themselves with others or worry that they're not good enough.
Going through change or difficult experiences
Family changes, separation, bereavement, illness, friendship difficulties or other experiences can be hard for children to process.
Finding it difficult to understand or express how they feel
Sometimes a child knows they're struggling but simply doesn't have the words to explain why.
Your child doesn't need to be in crisis to benefit from having someone outside the family to talk to.
Counselling doesn't always mean sitting and talking
Children don't always have the words to explain what's happening inside.
That's why counselling with children can look quite different from counselling with adults.
Depending on your child's age, personality and interests, sessions might include talking, drawing, painting, play, stories, games, creative activities or other ways of expressing and exploring feelings.
For older children and young people, we might use conversation alongside creative work, journalling or practical strategies for understanding and managing thoughts, feelings and difficult situations.
There's no pressure to talk before they're ready. I adapt the way we work to the individual child or young person.
Experience you can feel confident in
Working with children and young people is an important part of my practice.
Alongside my private practice, I currently provide counselling within four primary schools, supporting children with a range of emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.
I hold both a BSc and MSc in Psychology, alongside my professional counselling qualifications and have specialist training in trauma and neurodiversity.
Before becoming a counsellor, my background included teaching, Forest School leadership and working at a children's charity, giving me extensive experience of supporting children in different settings and at different stages of their development.
I adapt the way I work to each individual child - taking into account their age, development, personality, communication style and what helps them feel most comfortable.
I hold an Enhanced DBS, am registered with the Update Service, and undertake ongoing safeguarding training and professional development.
BSc & MSc Psychology | Counselling in 4 primary schools | Enhanced DBS
What about confidentiality?
For counselling to feel helpful, children and young people need to know that they have a private space where they can talk openly.
What your child shares with me during counselling is therefore treated with respect and confidentiality. I won't routinely report the details of sessions back to parents or carers.
At the same time, safeguarding always comes first. If I become concerned that your child or someone else may be at risk of harm, I may need to share relevant information with you or with another appropriate professional.
Wherever possible, I will talk to your child or young person about this first.
Parents and carers are still an important part of the process.
Before counselling begins, we'll talk about how the sessions will work, confidentiality and how we can communicate appropriately while still protecting your child's therapeutic space.
Support for parents too
Sometimes supporting your child also means having somewhere to think things through yourself.
Alongside counselling for children and young people, I offer parent support sessions where we can explore what's happening for your child and think together about ways you can support them at home.
Sessions might include understanding emotional responses and behaviour, communication and connection, boundaries, anxiety and overwhelm, or practical strategies tailored to your child's needs.
This isn't about blaming or judging your parenting.
It's about helping you understand what's happening and feel more confident in how you respond.
Practicalities
Counselling will take place in a dedicated counselling room, designed to help your child feel comfortable and at ease. Depending on their age, they may attend counselling with you or may prefer to attend alone.
Our location is just a few minutes' walk from Birkdale Village. For parents of children aged 14 or under, we kindly request that you remain in the vicinity during your child's session in case they wish to finish early.
Your child won't need to bring anything special to their session. Please know that your child's privacy and comfort is our top priority and we respect their decision whether or not to share any of their work with you. They may choose to bring home any creations they make during their counselling, such as artwork, or they may leave them here.
