Counselling for Children & Young People

If you are, or know, a young person who is struggling with how they are feeling, it can be a very challenging time and it may feel confusing to know where to go for support. Sometimes, talking about your thoughts and feelings can help you to feel better. If you think that you would benefit from this support, WPH may be able to help.

Do you feel upset or need someone to talk to?

Are you feeling sad, angry, upset, lonely, worried? Are you having trouble sleeping, doing your schoolwork, concentrating, enjoying things you normally would? Do things just feel ‘not quite right’?

It’s okay to feel this way. Sometimes it can be hard to manage your thoughts and feelings and you might need some help. Lots of people need support, it’s completely normal and you are not alone.

Talking to someone might help you to understand why you feel this way and what you can do about it. Our counselling sessions are a time to talk about your feelings and emotions with an adult who can support you to feel better.

What we offer

We support children and young people aged 8–17 with a range of free, caring and confidential counselling services. We offer a safe and non-judgemental space where you can talk about your thoughts and any worries you may be facing with a caring and compassionate counsellor. Our friendly and professional staff can provide support through a series of counselling sessions that can take place in person, over the telephone or online, depending on what you feel most comfortable with.

The type of support that our counsellors provide is person centred, which means that we will work with you in whatever way is best for your individual needs. If you feel comfortable, sometimes our counsellors may also use some tools and techniques within counselling sessions, such as games and creative exercises, if they feel that this may help you.

Counselling is all about you

Your counsellor will make sure that the session works for you. You don’t have to talk about anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You will only talk about the things that you choose to talk about. This means that counselling helps different people in different ways, so it is important to remember that everyone’s experience will be different.

Testimonials

I like that I could talk about anything without being worried that no one else would know

I felt heard by my cousellor which allowed me to reflect on my problems

Our service criteria

We will see children and young people who meet the following criteria:

Age 8 to 17 years (inclusive) and are registered with a Walsall GP

Mild to moderate mental health/psychological needs

Low/intermediate risk

Short term/brief interventions required

Psychologically minded

Mild Autism and ADHD

We will not see children and young people who:

Are awaiting psychology services (CAMHS)

Already attending CAMHS

Have psychosis or previous psychotic episodes(s)

Are considered high risk

Have serious behavioural problems

How can I get help?

As from December 1st 2024, all children and young people’s referrals now need to come through CAMHS Single Point of Access (SPA). This referral needs to be done by a professional such as a GP, Social Worker, School Nurse or a teacher using the form to the right and sent to bchft.walsallcamhs@nhs.net .

We are no longer able to accept any referral for under 18’s directly. If you are over the age of 18, you can contact us yourself to talk about accessing our sessions.