Counselling for Children and Young People
We are delighted to announce that we worked hard to secure and then very gratefully receive a grant from Children in Need which will allow us to offer counselling for children and young people aged between 5 – 18 years. This can benefit them by helping them process their thoughts and feelings around their loss by suicide.
We now have working with us the wonderful Anne Armstrong from Colours of Life Counselling. Anne is an experienced person-centred counsellor, integrating different models appropriate to the client’s needs. Anne is passionate about supporting children and young people to reach their full potential, to overcome the challenges they face and to find balance in their lives.
Her approach is relaxed, friendly, informal and child-led; her work is personalised to the client - whether they need a space to talk, play or use creative tools to help explore their thoughts and feelings.
Before starting their counselling journey Anne offers an introduction session where you meet you her as the counsellor who is going to work with your child or young person. This is an informal chat which explains more about what is expected from counselling for your child or young person. If you have any questions these can be answered here.
How does it work?
Therapy is an outlet to help children and young people express themselves when something is bothering them. A child or young person can develop healthy coping strategies and build resilience in difficult times and work through their grief.
There are several creative resources that may be used to encourage children and young people to engage and become more able to express their thoughts and emotions, such as art, clay, sand, games, music, play, reading books and various other methods.
The methods used in the sessions depend on the child’ s age, development and situation; how they may be experiencing difficult emotions from their grief. Whilst some young people prefer talking therapy, others can find this challenging and require a more creative approach; to help them understand and express themselves. It is important to build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.
Sessions are client led and with the use of a nondirective approach this supports and empowers children and young people with processing their stories of grief by suicide and facilitates their own healing.
Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes. Information, advice and signposting can be offered. These sessions with the child or young person are kept private and confidential unless a disclosure of harm to the child or someone else is made. The main carer is highly valued, and regular reviews will take place.
Please join us in welcoming Anne to the team.
