Child Therapist in Alnwick, Northumberland
Psychotherapeutic counselling for children and young people, aged 4-18
Is your child struggling and you're not sure what to do? Maybe they're anxious about school, angry in ways that feel out of proportion, or quietly withdrawing from things they used to enjoy. Maybe you've been told to "keep an eye on it" and you're wondering when the right time is to ask for help.
I'm Pip, a child counsellor in Alnwick, and I work with children and young people who are finding things difficult. I use conversation, play therapy, art therapy and creative activities, whatever helps your child feel safe enough to open up. Every child is different, and the way I work reflects that.
I've spent 16 years working with children across schools, SEND services, safeguarding and as a foster carer. I understand what families go through. The worry, the not knowing, the feeling that you should be able to fix it but can't. You don't have to figure this out on your own.
I offer a free initial consultation, where we can talk about what's going on and whether children's counselling might help.
Psychotherapeutic counselling can help your child
Children and young people come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. It might be a specific event - a bereavement, a family change, something at school. Or a feeling that's been building for a while and nobody can quite put their finger on what's wrong.
- anger or difficulty with emotional regulation
- anxiety, stress, panic, overwhelm
- big life changes and transitions
- bullying or school related challenges
- childhood or developmental trauma
- coming to terms with a diagnosis
- family breakdown or transitions
- fear or separation anxiety
- grief, bereavement or loss
- low mood, depression, hopelessness
- low self esteem or questioning identity
- neurodiversity or barriers to learning
- physical health or disability
- self harm or suicidal thoughts
- trauma or abuse
- unhealthy relationships
- unhelpful thinking styles or unhealthy coping strategies
Building a toolkit, resilience and skills for life
Children who can name what they're feeling are better able to manage it. That's what psychotherapeutic counselling does - it helps your child understand their thoughts and feelings, and builds a personalised toolkit of coping strategies that actually works for them. What calms one child might not work for another, so we figure it out together.
This might mean exploring feelings through play therapy or art therapy, practising grounding techniques, learning to challenge unhelpful thoughts, or simply having someone who listens without judgement.
As Daniel Siegel puts it, when we invite our thoughts and feelings into awareness, we can learn from them rather than be driven by them. That's what counselling can help your child learn to do.
What to expect
You might be wondering what to say to your child about counselling. Something like this can help:
"I've found someone you can talk to. They won't judge you, and what you talk about stays between you and them, unless they're worried you're not safe. You don't have to go if you don't want to, but I think it could help."
Sessions are £60 each and last around 50 minutes. I offer a free consultation first so your child can meet me and decide if they feel comfortable. There's no pressure. You can read more about what happens in counselling, find out about support for schools, or get in touch to arrange a chat.
I also write about the things parents ask me about most - have a read if you're looking for practical ideas you can try at home.
BACP registered
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP, #415732). I work within the BACP Ethical Framework and receive regular clinical supervision.
Child counsellor in Alnwick
I work with families across Northumberland. Alnwick, Amble, Warkworth, Rothbury, Morpeth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Wooler, Seahouses and the surrounding villages.