Counselling for children and young people

I provide confidential counselling to children and young people from the ages of 8 to 18 at my private practices in Derby and Matlock.

I welcome referrals from CAMHS, child behaviour services, children’s services within local authorities, connexions staff, educational/health staff and fostering services.

The areas I cover, include:

• Anxiety and depression | Low self-esteem and low confidence
• Family break up | step family problems
• Bullying at school and on social networking sites
• Self-harm | Eating disorders
• Past and present abuse | Witnessing domestic abuse
• Identity
• Bereavement
• I also provide counselling for children who are overweight

What can I offer?

• Counselling with children and adolescents

Paper crayons and clay often assist those who have a lot to say but don’t know how to say it.

• Counselling with parents

I can provide counselling for parents who feel in need of support with their children. This may also include working with their children. However, I also work solely with parents.

Experience working with young people

From 1980 to 1985 I was employed by the leading children’s charity NCH, now known as Action for Children, managing a counselling and information service, where I managed 2 full-time staff and a team of volunteers. For six years prior to 2002 I was employed as a Sessional Counsellor by Derbyshire County Council. During my career I have also worked alongside children and young people in numerous youth settings, and have also supported young Derbyshire carers.

Between 2002 and 2010 I was school counsellor for two large Derbyshire comprehensives.

Confidentiality

When seeing children and young people I am very aware of the boundaries and limits of confidentiality, these I outline in the first session. I use criteria from ‘Fraser Competence’ to assess a child/young person’s suitability for counselling. Whilst working for 8 years as School Counsellor for two Derbyshire Comprehensive Schools I held an enhanced disclosure criminal record certificate.

Values

I have a place in my heart for counselling young people. My work is very rewarding, both for myself and my clients.

Billie worked with my 9 year old son who was having issues with anxiety. He took to Billie instantly and her calm manner encouraged him to open up and face his issues. Using a variety of methods she helped him to build up his confidence again and gave him strategies to cope.

Mother talking about her 9 year old son

Additional Information

After serving for 7 years, I recently stepped down from my role on the executive of the counselling, children and young people (CCYP) division of the British Association Counselling Psychotherapy (BACP)