Welcome to
CYP Counselling
A confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings and challenges in your life
Counselling for children, young people and families in a safe and comfortable setting
About Me
I am passionate about supporting and empowering children and young people to be the best that they can be and helping them to overcome challenges in their lives. I have over 15 years experience of working with this age range first as a youth and community worker and then as children and young people’s integrative counsellor. I recognise and value the specialist training required to work with children and young people and so have additional training in the following areas:
- Eco Anxiety
- Mental Health First Aid
- Autism and ADHD inclusive play
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma informed practice Teir 1 and 2
- Domestic violence impact on children and young people including parenting
- Unpacking Complex Trauma
- Supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs
- Solihull Parenting
- MARF
- LGBTQ+
- Pre-trial therapy
My desire to train in counselling came about during the pandemic as I recognised the impact on children, young people and families and wanted to be part of the solution in scaffolding them to navigate well the challenges of growing up.
I have worked in Harborough District for a children and young people's charity for 7 years. I have built relationships with many organizations that help families in a variety of ways. When I'm not counselling, I also work as a Quality Manager to enhance the services available to young people.
Counselling
What is counselling and how do I work?
Early psychological interventions can have a significant impact on children and young people. I specialise in supporting families and work with ages 4-24 years who are experiencing mental health difficulties including emotional, behavioural and social challenges.
I work in a child centred way that puts them at the centre of what I do. I work in a integrative way which enables me to work creatively with each individual tailoring the work to their needs. Being an integrative counsellor means I work in a blended way to draw upon a range of counselling models.
Counselling is a confidential safe space where individuals and families can explore and make sense of themselves, experiences and the world in which they live. Counselling children may look different to counselling teens as they may have different needs and ways of communicating however the foundations of safety and respect are the same.
What to expect?
I aim to provide a safe, non-judgemental and nurturing environment for all to explore and work through their challenges. Sessions can involve a range of different ‘tools’ to support change. These may include clay, creative materials, sand tray, emotion cards, therapeutic play, talking, drama and more.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone is different so it's difficult to say how many I think you might need until we start working together. I work with individuals and families on a short and long-term basis.
What if I don’t like talk about my feelings?
That’s ok. I will never make you do something you are not comfortable to do! We can work together to use other methods of communicating such as play, creative materials or emotion cards to explore how to are feeling.
Process from contact to therapy
Once you have made contact with me we will arrange a 30-45 min parent / carer meeting to do an initial discussion. This provides space for parent/carers to discuss with me the process of counselling, the individuals needs and counselling limitations..
Following this a child Initial Assessment (under 18s only) will be set up. These usually take 50mins to complete and give both me and the child/ young people the chance to see if I am the right counsellor for them and explore their therapy goals.
Following this assessment a contract will be made for therapy to begin. After this counselling sessions can start.
What issues do I work with?
Here is a list of some of the issues I work with:
Anxiety
Identity
Low mood
Gender and sexual identity
Low confidence
Panic attacks
Life transitions
Anger
Bullying
Relationship difficulties
Emotion regulation
Loss and bereavement
Self-harm
Behavioural issues
Coping with stress
Family breakdown
Children and Young People (CYP)
Hi — I’m Ruth. If you’re here, you might be feeling unsure, worried, confused, or just curious about counselling. Lots of young people feel that way, and it’s completely okay.
My job is to give you a safe, private space where you can talk, draw, play, or simply sit quietly while we figure things out together. You don’t need to know what to say. You don’t need to have a “big problem.” You just need to come as you are.
What Counselling Is
Counselling is a space that belongs to you.
It’s a place where you can:
- Talk about things that feel heavy or confusing
- Share worries you don’t want to say anywhere else
- Understand your feelings better
- Learn ways to cope when things feel too much
- Have someone really listen to you
Counselling isn’t about being judged, told off, or being told what to do. It’s about helping you feel more in control of your thoughts and feelings.
What Sessions Can Look Like
Everyone is different, so sessions can look different too. You might want to:
- Talk
- Draw or paint
- Use art or crafts
- Play games
- Use sand, stories or characters
- Explore feelings through movement
- Sit quietly and think
There’s no right or wrong way to do counselling. We go at your pace, and you choose what feels comfortable.
FAQs
That’s completely normal. Lots of young people come to counselling because something just doesn’t feel right, even if they can’t explain it. We figure it out together.
Your first session is simply a chance for us to get to know each other. There’s no pressure to talk about anything you’re not ready for.
We chat about how counselling works and how you would like counselling to work. We go at your pace.
I’m based in Market Harborough, in a quiet, private room that feels calm and comfortable. It’s a space for you — somewhere you can breathe out and be yourself.
Individual sessions will include myself and you but if you need someone there to help you settle for the first session then that is ok.
Fees and Availability
I work part time as a counsellor on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year.
I currently have availability to take on new individuals.
Counselling Services
Parent / Carer discussion meeting 45mins at £20 (for children under 18)
Child Initial Assessment 50mins at £60
Counselling 50mins at £60
Get in touch
I welcome referrals from professionals, self referrals and tailor the therapy to the individual need.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. 07746974293.
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