It’s important that as the parent/guardian that we meet without your child, in order for us to discuss your concerns fully. We would meet for a 90 minutes assessment to explore the idea of Courage2Be working with your child. Here you would have the opportunity to ask any questions, explore what you feel that your child needs and really get an understanding of how counselling could work with your child.

The assessment would also support your child’s therapy by gathering detailed information about:-

• Your concerns
• Your child’s presenting issue/s
• Your child’s views on counselling
• Any medical issues or previous medical or therapeutic interventions
• Your child’s friendships
• Your child’s relationships with others
• Your child’s likes and dislikes
• Any contributing factors/situations
• Boundaries and behaviour strategies used
• What to expect from the counselling process

If after the assessment we decide that Courage2Be is the right counselling service for your child then we would look to book your child in for an initial session.

If you would like to book an assessment,  then please do get in touch for a free 30-minute phone consultation to determine whether an assessment is the best way forward for you and your child.

Parenting a child whilst beautifully rewarding is not easy, there is no manual on how to do it and we are all unique as individuals. So what may work for some may not for others and that’s ok. Courage2Be really recognises in this fast-paced, permanently switched-on world that life can be really tough for all concerned. So occasionally, following the free 30-minute phone consultation, it may become clear that as the parent/guardian, you may benefit from counselling and that by working in this way, your child’s behaviour, difficulties or your concerns about them may change without them having any therapeutic intervention.

It may be that difficulties arise sometimes due to a lack of communication and understanding between a parent and child, or, often as parent’s/guardians, we can focus so much on our children or life’s demands that we neglect ourselves or think we are hiding our own stresses and anxieties. Sometimes, it may be this unconscious detachment and uncertainty that children pick up on and react to. Courage2Be has yours and your child’s best interests at heart and believe it is important to explore all possibilities during the Introduction.

In the child’s first session, we would talk with them about what counselling is, explore why they are coming to counselling and contract around timing, confidentially and safety within the room, in a child-friendly way. Your child will then have the opportunity to explore the room and get to know the counsellor during the remainder of the session.  In order for counselling to work, space and time to build a relationship between the child and the counsellor are paramount and we would look for your support in this. Therefore, whilst you are welcome to stay initially during this session if your child needs that extra encouragement and support, we would look for you to disengage and leave the room as soon as your child starts to settle. It is really important that they get a sense early on that the counselling room is their space only.