Counselling is a safe space where your child can feel free to express their feelings and worries. The counsellor will use their training and expertise to build a warm and trusting relationship with them, so they feel empowered to explore their difficulties. 

Each young person is unique. Some will have a strong idea of how they wish to use the sessions and will talk through their issues confidently. For others, they may need more encouragement from their counsellor. Our counsellors will know how much they need to 'lead' the sessions.

We're able to offer counselling to children and young people between the ages of 5-25. 

The frequency and number of counselling sessions can depend on several factors, such as the severity of your child's difficulties, their level of motivation and engagement in the therapy process, and the goals you and your child have set for therapy.

It's most common for counselling sessions to be scheduled on a weekly basis, especially in the beginning stages of therapy. Over time, the frequency of sessions may decrease as progress is made, and the counsellor may suggest moving to fortnightly or monthly.

Following the first session your counsellor will make a suggestion for an initial block of sessions, this will usually be around 6 sessions.

You're free to pause or stop the sessions at any time. However, it can be incredibly damaging to your child to cancel their sessions without notice. If your child is not finding the sessions helpful you are free to cancel, however we still recommend a final session to review what’s been covered and to discuss future strategies. 

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes. The appointments usually take place at the same time each week unless agreed otherwise. Sessions are reviewed every six sessions. Sessions can be rescheduled with 24 hours notice.

Our counsellors will spend the first few sessions building rapport with your child, so they feel comfortable enough to open up about their feelings. The counsellor will usually carry out an assessment questionnaire in session one, in order to learn more about your child’s difficulties. Following the first session the counsellor will contact you to confirm whether our service is suitable for your child, and suggest how many sessions would be appropriate.

It can be tempting to try to persuade your child to access counselling if you can see that it would be beneficial. However, counselling will only help if the child is willing and engaged. It can help to tell your child that it is only one session to start with and then they can then decide whether they’d like to continue.

If your child has their first session and does not want to continue, it’s important to respect their decision. It’s essential that your child has a positive experience or counselling, so they feel empowered to access it in the future. By giving them the power to decide, they know they can access it once they feel ready. 

All of our counsellors are fully qualified and registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). They have enhanced DBS checks, as well as regular safeguarding and GDPR training. We have a robust recruitment policy and recruit counsellors based on their qualifications, experience and personality. All of our counsellors have significant experience of working with children.

You’ll have the chance to meet the counsellor and ask any questions in the first session, you can then stay as your child settles. From then on the sessions will need to take place privately and you cannot sit in unless you are asked to join.  Depending on the age of your child it may also be necessary to start each session with them, in order to ensure they’ve connected, at which point you can leave them to it.

Counselling is a one-to-one therapy and it’s important that your child is able to have their session privately. The counsellor will work with them to create a trusting and therapeutic space where they can discuss anything that’s on their mind. This private space will improve your child’s feeling of emotional safety and allow them to experience the full benefit of the counselling.

The counsellor will contact you after session one, session six and then regularly from that point on  to discuss how your child is getting on. However, counselling sessions are a confidential space where your child can share anything they want, safe in the knowledge the counsellor won't tell anyone (we make it clear that if there is a safeguarding risk, we will break this confidentiality). 

When it's time to check in with you, the counsellor will ask your child what they're comfortable sharing, and they will only share what's been agreed. However, part of the counselling process is that they help the child develop ways to open up more to their loved ones, so hopefully you'll find that your child will be coming to you more with what's troubling them.

We don't provide written reports, diagnoses or in-depth information about what's being discussed in sessions. The counsellor's notes can only be obtained with a court order. 

Our records are completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone unless there is a safeguarding concern or they are requested in criminal proceedings.

Safeguarding children and young people is the highest priority. Our safeguarding policies are regularly checked by an NSPCC Accredited Trainer. We use fully qualified counsellors who are registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Counsellors have enhanced DBS checks and insurance, as well as regular safeguarding and GDPR training. Counsellors attend monthly supervision with a clinical supervisor. Should they have any concerns will adhere strictly to the safeguarding procedure and raise concerns.

Prepare to get a little grubby! Choose sturdy shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy. Trainers are ideal. Light layers are good when it’s warm and insulating layers when it’s cold or waterproofs when it's wet. 

The Get Out is open in wet weather. Our flagship site remains open in all weathers, except thick ice, thunderstorms and gales. Rain makes the site muddier than usual – which can add to the experience, but you might want dry clothes for your child to change into for the journey home.

Our flagship site does have a warm indoor space called the Pod which is available at all times for your child.

If we have to close for unsafe weather conditions, we will reschedule the appointment. If unsafe weather is forecasted we will aim to make the decision as early as possible, and will do our best to contact you to try and save you a wasted journey.

If you need to make contact in between sessions you can send a message. Your child's therapist will reply to you as soon as possible, usually within 48 hours