My work empowers children through creativity, supporting them to understand and integrate their internal and external worlds, gently guiding them towards a calmer, happier future.

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Creative Counselling is a respected and effective approach used to help children cope with emotional and behavioural issues. I use the arts as an exploratory, fun and gentle medium. This technique has become increasingly popular as it combines traditional talk therapy with the therapeutic qualities of making art.

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I work with children who may be struggling with ‘big feelings’ as well as those with deeply hidden ‘small feelings.’ 

Creative Child Counselling can benefit children who may be experiencing difficult feelings and behaviours linked to:

• Anxiety  

• Depression  

• Anger  

• Grief  

• Isolation  

• Being withdrawn  

• Stress    

• Exclusion  

• Low self-esteem or low self-confidence

•  ASD,  ADD / ADHA & GDD

• School avoidance

 

Children may be trying to cope with distressing events and their aftermath, such as:

• Bereavement or loss 

• Bullying 

• Separation or divorce 

• Emotional, physical or sexual abuse 

• Illness, and the psychological/emotional impact of this  

• Trauma

• Familial mental health issues

• Lockdown in 2020 / 2021

 

Through expressive creativity I address children's behavioural, developmental or emotional needs in a safe, neutral environment. This technique is especially helpful for children who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.

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Creative Counselling uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing. Many children find this approach enormously beneficial and very effective at resolving issues as it gets to the root of their behavioural and emotional difficulties.

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The service that I offer supports children by helping them develop a growing sense of confidence and understanding. It also provides them with techniques to explore new ways of coping with difficulties and gain an increased experience of wellbeing in relationship to themselves and others.

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GETTING STARTED:

• Parent Consultation - it is essential to first meet with either one or both parents or guardians for a consultation to  explain in greater depth how I work and to gather some history. This usually lasts 80 minutes.

• 1:1 - each 1:1 child counselling session is usually 50 minutes, ideally at the same time and same venue each week.

• For counselling to provide a safe and contained space I negotiate a confidential agreement with the child. This means I do not share what happens in the sessions with parents. I hold confidentiality except in the rare circumstances of a child being at risk of harm. Parental review sessions will be booked in every 6-8 weeks to discuss progress and explore strategies with the  child's knowledge.  

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COST / RATES:

• First Parent / Carer Consultation (80 minutes) - £105​

• Follow-up Parent Consultations (50 minutes) - £80

• 1:1 Counselling Sessions (50 minutes) - £80​

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NOTE: 48 hour notice of a cancellation needs to be given or session fees will apply.  

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Occasionally a low cost counselling space will become available – please ask for details.

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Please do get in touch for a brief exploratory conversation to see if this service is right for your child, and we can take it from there: 

 

Email: samanta@samantaecho.com