CHILDREN’S COUNSELLING

This is a free children’s support and counselling service for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years who are experiencing difficulties relating to family breakdown and can help children who are struggling to adjust to a new family situation. Parental separation or divorce need not lead to long term difficulties.

The service is provided by experienced counsellors employed by Families Talking.

Who can use the service?

Any child or young person whose parents are separated or divorced. The separation can be recent or some time ago. It is important that parents consent to the counselling, but the child/young person should also WANT to come to sessions.

What happens after initial contact?

The parent who has referred the child/young person will be invited to meet a counsellor for an meeting to find out about the problems and help determine what should happen next. If counselling is appropriate the child/young person will be offered an appointment. We will usually contact the other parent. If everyone is in agreement, further sessions will be arranged. We are able to offer up to six sessions.

What happens within the children’s sessions?

Each session lasts 50 minutes. They are held in a ‘child-friendly’ room in our office in Middlesbrough and at specially identified premises in Hartlepool and some Sure Start premises in other parts of the area. Each child/young person is treated as an individual and the session is adapted to meet their age and their particular needs.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes.

Any information shared with the parent(s) is done with the child/young person’s permission. We would only talk to others without permission if there were concerns about the safety of any family member.

What happens if six sessions are not enough?

We have links with other agencies who offer therapeutic help to children/young people and would refer on, if appropriate.

How are appointments made?

You can make an appointment by telephoning us on 01642 222967 and ask for the Children’s Counselling Service.

Alternatively, you can speak to your mediator, if you have one.

Many children and young people are helped by talking to someone outside the family during this difficult time.