Counselling for
Children & Young People
Supporting ages 3-18
Based in North London
A safe, supportive space to talk, create, reflect and explore whatever may be on their mind.
Could counselling help my child?
Children and young people don’t always have the words to explain how they’re feeling. Sometimes you may simply sense that something isn’t quite right.
Counselling can offer a safe, confidential space where your child can explore what is going on for them at their own pace through talking, play and creativity.
Counselling can help with
● Worries & anxiety
● Friendships & relationships
● Family changes
● Loss & bereavement
● Confidence & self-esteem
● Anger & big feelings
● School & exam pressures
● Identity & belonging
● Feeling overwhelmed
● Low mood
Your child does not need a diagnosis or to be in crisis to benefit from counselling.
A space where your child can be themselves
Every child is different, so there isn’t one way that counselling has to look.
Some children want to talk. Others find it easier to communicate through play, drawing, making or simply spending time together.
For older children and teenagers, sessions may be more about having space to talk openly about things they may not feel able to discuss elsewhere.
I follow your child’s lead and work at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
At the heart of my work is building a trusting relationship where your child feels safe, respected and free from judgement.
What to expect
What might a session look like?
Talking, playing, drawing, making or simply having a space to think. Whatever feels right.
A private space
A confidential space where your child can feel safe to be themselves.
Working with parents/carers
Keeping you appropriately involved whilst respecting your child’s privacy and growing independence.
How long will it take?
Every child is different, so there is no set timetable. We work at the pace that feels right for them.
Privacy, confidentiality and working with parents
Children and young people need to feel that counselling is a private space where they can speak openly and be themselves. I won’t routinely share the details of what your child says or does in their sessions. As children grow older, respecting their privacy and growing independence becomes particularly important. At the same time, parents and carers remain an important part of the process. We can discuss how things are going and how best to support your child, while respecting the confidentiality of their sessions. If I am ever concerned that your child, or somebody else, may be at risk of harm, I have a responsibility to act and follow appropriate safeguarding procedures. Wherever possible, I would talk this through with your child first.
I’m Sarah, a qualified child counsellor with over 25 years’ experience working with children and young people.
Alongside my counselling work, I’m also a primary school teacher and a mother of three, so understanding children, their different personalities, worries, strengths, and ways of communicating has been at the heart of my work.
My approach is warm, creative and child led. I use talking, play and creative work depending on the child’s age and what feels most comfortable for them.
A little about me
Depending on your child’s age, interests and what feels right for them, we might use any combination of these in our sessions. Sometimes we may simply sit and talk; at other times, very little talking is needed.
I work psychodynamically, which means thinking about what may be going on beneath the surface, and how a child’s experiences and relationships can influence the way they feel and behave.
These different ways of working can help children express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words, make sense of them and develop a greater understanding of themselves and their world.
Children and young people don’t always have the words to explain how they are feeling. Counselling gives them different ways to express themselves and explore what might be going on for them.
How I work
Ready to have a chat?
If you’re wondering whether counselling might be helpful for your child, please feel free to get in touch.
We can arrange an initial conversation to talk about what’s been going on, what you’re looking for and whether I might be the right person to support your child.
Sessions are held in St John’s Wood, North London.