Services
In School Counselling
Counselling is useful in helping pupils to study and learn, particularly in facilitating the young person’s ability to concentrate in class, as well as increasing their attendance at school and improving behaviour.
Counselling in school is an intervention that children or young people can voluntarily enter if they want to explore, understand and overcome issues in their lives which may be causing them difficulty, distress and/or confusion. A counselling relationship includes defined boundaries and a formal agreement between the young person, counsellor, and, when applicable, parent or carer.
The aims of in school couselling are to: assist the child or young person to achieve a greater understanding of themselves and their relationship to their world; to create a greater awareness and utilisation of their personal resources; to build their resilience; and to support their ability to address problems and pursue personally meaningful goals.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) defines counselling as: ‘a professional activity delivered by qualified practitioners. Counsellors offer troubled and/or distressed children and young people an opportunity to talk about their difficulties, within a relationship of agreed confidentiality.’
Counselling can help young people deal with a range of personal problems. Common issues addressed include:
- Anger / aggression
- Anxiety
- Body image
- Bullying
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Emotional issues
- Exam stress
- Family breakdown
- Illness
- Loss/bereavement
- Low self-confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Puberty
- Relationships and sex
- Self-harm
- Gender identity
- Substance abuse
- Young carer responsibility
Depending on the pupils age and stage, the counsellor can use a combination of therapeutic play, art therapy or talking therapy. The counsellor will establish a therapeutic relationship with the child or young person through acceptance, trust and empathy providing them with an opportunity to express and process feelings at their own level and pace.
This positive relationship can then be internalised by the child and help instill:
A sense of competence
Improved ability to form healthy relationships
Re-align negative patterns of behaviour or thinking
Counselling can be beneficial in several ways, for example it can help:
Reduce the psychological distress that children and young people may experience because of facing a range of life difficulties, such as being bullied or experiencing bereavement.
Support young people who are having difficulties within relationships, for example, with family or with friends.
Young people who are having difficulty managing their emotions, such as anger.
Many pupils report improvements in their capacity to study and learn following counselling and frequently report that counselling helps them to concentrate. Pupils also report an increased motivation for school and schoolwork.
Counselling is useful in helping pupils to study and learn, particularly in facilitating the young person’s ability to concentrate in class, as well as increasing their attendance at school and improving behaviour.
Children or young people themselves, or the adults around them, might identify a problem and refer them to counselling. School staff, parents or carers, or other adults close to the child or young person may identify that there are emerging signs of behavioural change including dis-engagement with learning and may refer the child or young person, with their informed consent (and in line with the individual school’s procedures) to counselling to explore and make more positive, goal-orientated choices.
A counsellor will work with the child or young person to help them address their problem(s) and reduce their psychological distress; A counsellor will provide an assessment of risk, and identify with them an appropriate way forward, such as considering goals which they may want to achieve (to do with any aspect of their lives).
Start Your Journey to Feeling Better
A safe space to talk, heal, and grow.
We’re here to support you every step of the way—because you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.