Child Counselling
“We don’t want to be involved in what went wrong and whose fault you think it was. We don’t like it, or you, if you criticise each other, it makes us feel bad and it affects us at school and other places too” A Child
Surrey Family & Mediation Services provide both separation counselling and bereavement counselling to young people
What is child counselling?
- One-to-one time with a professional counsellor to help the child make sense of their thoughts and feelings about the changes taking place in their family during separation/divorce or bereavement
- Time and space where children aged 5-13 years can talk confidentially
- Working with an appropriately trained professional who is neutral and outside of the family
- A place where children can explore their thoughts, feelings and reactions to the new situation safe in the knowledge that they will not be criticised or judged
- An opportunity for the child to develop positive self-esteem
- Child counselling should not be confused with child consultation in mediation
Surrey Family & Mediation Services Child Counselling Service is based on a short term intervention process through which we offer 8 (up to a maximum of 18) sessions of counselling. Children with longer term needs will be supported appropriately to access further services according to their individual needs.
Why provide counselling for children?
- The changes taking place during parental separation/divorce can be very confusing for children
- Children often feel caught between their parents and this can create anxiety and heighten their sadness
- Some children find it difficult to talk to their parents about their thoughts and feelings during separation/divorce
- It can be helpful for children to identify their thoughts and feelings about separation/divorce
- It is important to find appropriate and helpful ways to deal with confusion, uncertainty and feelings of doubt
- Children need support whilst coming to terms with their parent’s separation/divorce
How do I refer my child to the counselling service?
- Parents can make a referral themselves
- An interview/information meeting will be arranged for the parents without the child being present
- Parental consent will be requested from both parents (resident and non-resident) however counselling will proceed with consent from one parent
- Initially, 8 weekly sessions will be offered for the child to have one-to-one time with a counsellor. A review will be done after the 6th session and further sessions will be offered if required
What does it cost?
- The service is funded by the Big Lottery
- The Big Lottery funds a fixed number of counselling sessions per week, when these are used up it is possible to arrange additional sessions at a cost, please contact us for details
- There is a cancellation charge for missed sessions
THE NEXT STEP……
- Download SFMS Child Counselling Referral Form as a PDF and/or;
- Download SFMS Child Bereavement Form as a PDF then:
Fax to:01372 749908
Scan and email to:admin@surreymediation.co.uk
Post to:Surrey Family & Mediation Services
Unit A, Aviary Court
138 Miles Road, Epsom
Surrey, KT19 9AB
Tel/Answerphone:01372 749911
Email:admin@surreymediation.co.uk
