The Full Story

About

I was a primary teacher for 25 years. Throughout that time I met so many different children and families and felt it a privilege to be the person that helped that child to read, to understand a maths concept, or just to be that constant person in that child's life for a short while.

I think the most rewarding part of teaching was to see a child, who had little confidence and low self-esteem, start to thrive and most importantly smile.

This was the part of the job I loved the most.

When I qualified as a counsellor, I wanted to keep teaching and counselling separate, at the time I was still teaching whilst getting my counselling practice up and running.

But as time went on, I was asked constantly if I would see different children for counselling.

Working in schools, I would often have cover in my class so that I could help a child self-regulate their emotions and just to talk about stuff that was going on for them.

I saw past the behaviour, actually I saw the behaviour as a clue to what was really going on for them.

When a child cannot say in words how they feel, then they need to 'act out'.

What happens when you book your child in for counselling with me?

First we can have a little chat on the phone about your child and I can say how I can help.

Then, if you decide you would like to take the next step, I will send you some pre-assessment questions, along with my contract.

You don't have to sign any contract yet, not until the next step.

Next step - you will be invited (without your child) to a 30 minute pre-assessment meeting, where you can see the room your child will be working in, discuss the questions I sent you, and finally decide if you would like your child to have counselling with me.

It is then that you sign the contract, or you can go away and have a think then contact me and we can book a session date and time in.

The Counselling Session

On the first visit you can come in with your child, to help your child settle. Your child will be invited to sit on 'The Talking Chair' at first. We'll have a little chat together, I'll already know things about your child from the pre-assessment meeting with you, so I'll bring things they like to talk about into our conversation.

When you feel they are okay, you will leave the room and we will then start the work.

Our first job together is to make our contract.

Your child can draw/write the rules of the room, particularly confidentiality. This will be explained in child friendly language.

After the contract is made, we will then play some

'get to know you games'.

I will then take anything your child says they like doing and plan the next session around this. Or, as we get going, your child will have the ownership of planning their next session.

The most important aspect of counselling is for your child to build a trusting relationship with me and to feel comfortable.

I will work at your child's pace and will not ask any questions that I feel your child is not ready to answer.

We may use toy animals/pictures/play-dough/super-heroes, all as ways to explore your child's issue.

It may take time, but it's all about your child feeling safe to talk, then the talk will flow.

10 minutes before the end of each session, you are welcome to come in and find out what we have been doing.

However, I will discuss with your child what they want to say and what they want to show you. If they don't want to talk about what they have been doing or saying, then you will respect their privacy.

When the child is home, please do not question them too much about their session, they need to choose if they want to talk or not.

You will see changes, but changes can take time.

It may be changes in behaviour, your child may start talking more, or they seem happy and lighter in themselves.