Children & Young People Counselling Service
Counselling & Therapy Services
Supporting Children Through Play, Connection and Safety
Children experience and express their emotions very differently from adults. While adults can often use words to describe how they feel, children communicate primarily through play, behaviour, and creativity. That’s why our children’s counselling service is designed around play-based, trauma-informed approaches that meet each child at their developmental level.
“I have attended some counselling sessions since my mum passed away in September 2021 and can honestly say it has been excellent.” – Karen
Why Children Need a Different Kind of Therapy
Traditional “talking therapies” such as those used in adult counselling rely heavily on verbal reflection and insight. For children, especially those under 12, these methods can feel confusing or inaccessible. They may not yet have the vocabulary or self-awareness to explain what’s happening inside them.
Play-based therapy provides a safe, child-centred space where feelings, memories, and experiences can be expressed through play, art, stories, movement, and symbolic communication. Through this process, our counsellors help children make sense of their world, build emotional regulation skills, and find healthier ways to cope.
The Power of Play-Based, Trauma-Informed Counselling
Our approach recognises that play is a child’s natural language, and toys are their words. In a trauma-informed setting, play becomes more than fun it’s a medium for healing.
Using evidence-based methods grounded in attachment and developmental theory, our therapists:
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Create a sense of safety and trust before any deeper work begins.
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Help children process difficult experiences without overwhelming them.
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Support the development of emotional literacy and resilience.
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Work at the child’s pace, ensuring they remain in control of their story.
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Involve parents or carers in the process where appropriate, to strengthen support at home.
Our Children’s Therapists
Our children’s counsellors are highly qualified professionals with advanced training in child-centred, play, and creative arts therapies. Each has specialist experience working with children and young people across a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs including anxiety, loss, neurodiversity, trauma, and family change.
All our therapists work within a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming framework, meaning we honour each child’s unique way of being in the world. We prioritise connection over correction, empathy over judgement, and relationship over behaviour.
Some of the Topics We Cover
Relationships
Childhood experiences
Emotions and thoughts
Behaviour patterns
Stressful situations or events
“For counselling i would highly recommended to anyone relaxed friendly helpful" – Lisa
Contributions & Costs
We offer counselling via two paths. General Community Counselling and Private Couselling.
Community Counselling
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Community Counselling is offered on a donation basis thanks to funding support
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No one will be turned away if they cannot contribute
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Waiting list time is approximately 16 weeks
Private Counselling
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Private Counselling is a paid service - please contact us for exact costs
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Specialist counselling available, such as couples therapy, psycho-sexual therapy and therapy for eating disorders.
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Waiting list time is approximately 2 weeks