Information about DIYPCS counselling sessions

Our counselling sessions can last up to 50 minutes and the aim is to create a comfortable and safe environment to discuss problems and to find the best solutions.

The sessions are confidential so that the child or young person can open up about what is concerning them.

Counsellors

All our counsellors are fully qualified, have lots of experience in working with children and young people and are accredited by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

How we provide counselling sessions

We mainly work in schools but can also offer appointments using video, phone, live chat and email online therapy. 

Face to face counselling (f2f)

The majority of our sessions are carried out face to face within schools and sometimes at an agreed place in the community. This will involve weekly one to one sessions with a counsellor in a confidential setting and at an agreed date and time.

Walk and Talk

We also provide the option to receive counselling through ‘Walk and Talk’ therapy outdoors and through Therapeutic Play. The DIYPCS has trained Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills therapists and Mindfulness therapists who can also provide these specific interventions.

Online counselling

Online counselling can take place through video, phone, live chat and email online therapy. This can be useful for someone who is comfortable using technology to communicate and have the commitment and motivation to take part in counselling. 

Online counselling may not suit everyone. A counsellor will discuss whether or not online counselling is the best way forward for a child or young person, and if so, which option is best, before arranging counselling sessions.

Technical issues

A counsellor will arrange a back-up communication method during the initial assessment in case the technology (for example Wi-Fi, mobile signal, computer) is not working and a session cannot take place.

Making the most of counselling

To fully benefit from a counselling session, before a session, we recommend thinking about:

• any problem(s) you are experiencing right now
• what would you like to bring to counselling and how can a session work best for you?
• whether you would feel more comfortable instant messaging, working through email or using audio/video.
• what other support you might need to access alongside or after the online sessions

What to do after a session

After a face to face or online counselling session, give yourself some space to relax and compose yourself for what lies ahead during the next few hours and the rest of the week. If you decided to make some changes, maybe think about how you might put these into action. Use your support network (friends/family) during the week. Treat yourself, take some exercise and practice a healthy eating and sleeping routine.

Survey

After counselling sessions have ended, we will email a survey through to complete so that we can get a better understanding of your counselling experience and help us to make improvements.

When scheduled counselling sessions come to an end

At the end of your scheduled counselling sessions, your counsellor may want to discuss how you can get more support, such as:

• online self-help
• longer term face to face or online counselling
• help from medical or other professionals 

More information

You can contact us if you have any questions about the Denbighshire Independent Young Persons' Counselling Service.

Related pages

• Information for parents and professionals about the DIYPCS
• Information for young people about the DIYPCS