What happens in the first child counselling session?

New things can feel big — for children and parents. My first session is slow, friendly and predictable, designed to help your child feel safe. Here’s exactly what we do.

Step-by-step

1. A warm hello (and a quick parent check-in).
   We say hi, look around the room, and agree simple boundaries (kind hands, kind words, privacy).
2. Choice of play and creative tools.
   Children can pick from drawing, games, stories or sensory items. There’s no pressure to “talk well” — I follow their lead.
3. Getting to know each other.
   I might ask gentle questions: favourite things, what helps when a day is hard, who’s in their world.
4. Tiny coping tools.
   We try one or two easy strategies (breathing, “name it to tame it,” a feelings scale) so your child leaves with something practical.
5. Short parent debrief.
   I’ll share themes (not private details) and suggest small, kind supports you can try at home. We’ll decide together if and how we continue.

How long is the session?

Around 50 minutes for a child’s session, with a brief parent chat at the end.

Will my child have to talk about everything straight away?

No. Children are never pushed to share before they’re ready. Trust grows over time — that’s where the change happens.

What should we tell our child beforehand?

Keep it simple and honest:

“We’re going to meet Jess. She helps children with big feelings using play and drawing. You can choose what we do.”

What to bring (optional)

• A favourite small toy or fidget
• Any school notes (if helpful)
• A drink of water

Fees and availability

We’ll talk about fees on our first call so you have everything you need to decide comfortably.