Child counselling aims to help children cope better with their emotions, understand problems, develop necessary coping skills and make positive choices. During counselling children are encouraged to explore and express their feelings through one of many media depending on the child’s individual preference e.g. talking, artwork, telling stories, drama or play.
Child counselling is helpful to:
- Children who find it difficult to acquire social skills.
- Children who have experienced loss through family breakdown or bereavement.
- Children who have experienced abuse.
- Children with low self esteem, anxiety or depression.
- Children whose behaviours are potentially life threatening.
How do I refer my child?
Contact the centre on 064 6636416.
There is a waiting list so you may have to wait a while before your child is seen.
You will then be invited in for an assessment meeting with the child counsellor.
Following this if the counsellor feels your child will benefit from counselling an appointment will be made for the first session.
How long will my child attend counselling?
The length of time a child attends will depend on the issues.
Initially six sessions is recommended and may be extended following further consultation with all those involved.
The sessions last 50-60 minutes.
What else do I need to know?
Parental consent is needed before counselling begins.
Parents/guardians are required to stay in the building while the child is in counselling.
Confidentiality exists between counsellor and the child. Confidentiality will be broken when the child is feared to be at risk from themselves or others. Permission will be sought from the child to discuss any other issues with their parents/guardians. Confidentiality does not restrain the child from telling others about their counselling sessions.
Parent participation is an important component of our work. Parents see someone separately so that they can support their child while they attend the centre. Parents explore and develop strategies that will help them deal with behaviours that may be causing concern. This is also a space where parental concerns can be voiced. Parents are the most important people in their child’s life so they are encouraged to be part of the counselling process.
