The Children’s Counselling Service is a free and confidential service providing counselling and support for children (up to 12 years) and their families.

Children, like adults, experience difficulties from time to time that may affect their emotional health and wellbeing – and that children, just like adults, sometimes need someone to talk to.

We also recognise that access to intervention for children and their families is essential, as good mental health through childhood and adolescence often underpins mental health and wellbeing throughout later life.

The Children’s Counselling Service has a child-centred focus, and intervention is based on a developmental framework, acknowledging the specific needs and abilities of children at different developmental stages.

How Might Counselling Assist My Child?
Counselling may assist children by:

• Assisting children to make sense of their feelings and experiences.
• Assist children in developing strategies to manage their feelings and experiences.
• Assist parents in recognising and responding to their child’s mental health needs.
• Assist children and their parents to effectively manage a range of behavioural and emotional difficulties.