Service Criteria

We generally work with children and young people aged 5 to 18.

We also work with young people up to age 25 if they have an ECHP or are “looked after” by a local authority.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer help to children and young people in a current mental health crisis that would require emergency support, assistance and care to prevent an acute and immediate risk to their life.

We offer short-term counselling services utilising whatever approach is best suited to a young person’s needs.

We work at the Getting Advice and Getting Help Levels of THRIVE, in between universal services and Specialist CAMHS services.

We follow a needs-based approach based on what is driving the young person’s difficulties. We provide access the right evidenced-based approach at the right time.   

We offer a blended service delivery of face-to-face and virtual support.

If a child or young person is having difficulties with:

• Anxiety, low mood, anger, stress and difficulty managing overwhelming emotions
• Extended difficulties adapting to changes in life circumstances (e.g. managing transition, parental separation, bereavement)
• Difficulty relating to or maintaining communication with others
• Conflict at home including witnessed and or experienced domestic abuse
• Issues with parent, sibling, peers, partner or teacher relationships
• School based worries (e.g. exam stress, academic pressure)
• The emotional impact of bullying if it has been addressed
• Issues relating to gender identity or sexuality
• Self-injury where the risk is managed

If a child or young person is:

• Unwilling to engage or does not give consent for counselling  
• Unsuitable for short-term intervention due to complexities in presentation
• Exhibiting self-harm and suicidal ideation, if the risk is unmanaged and the person cannot suitably be placed on a waiting list
• Currently accessing or on a waiting list for other psychological or counselling interventions, if these interventions better suit their need
• Presenting lower-level emerging needs and could be supported by universal services
• Exhibiting substance misuse as their primary presenting difficulty 
• Exhibiting an eating disorder, if this is the primary presenting difficulty 
• In need of an assessment for ADHD or autism and this is the primary reason for their referral 
• Presenting with complex and enduring sexually harmful behaviour
• In need of gender identity support from specialist services