Ceredigion Schools Counselling Service
Ceredigion School and Community-based Counselling/Play Therapy
The Ceredigion School Counselling and Play Therapy Service provides counselling and play therapy for children and young people in Ceredigion. The service offers a confidential therapeutic space where children can explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences with a qualified therapist.
Working alongside schools, families and other professionals, referrals are assessed to ensure the most appropriate therapeutic intervention is offered based on the child's age, developmental stage and presenting needs. The service aims to support emotional wellbeing and help children and young people better understand and manage the challenges they are experiencing.
Our Primary School Counselling and Play Therapy Service provides a safe, welcoming and confidential space where children can spend time with a qualified therapist.
Every child is different, so sessions are tailored to their individual needs. Children may be supported with a range of experiences, including worries, anxiety, friendships, family changes, loss, managing emotions or other challenges that may be affecting their wellbeing.
Each referral is assessed to help determine the most appropriate type of therapeutic support for the child.
The service offers:
- Play Therapy - up to 12 weekly sessions in school for children in Years 1-3
- School Counselling - up to 6 weekly sessions in school for children in Years 4-6
Although these are our usual pathways, every referral is considered individually. Some children in Years 4-6 may be offered play therapy if this is assessed as the most appropriate intervention for their needs.
To allow enough time for a counselling intervention to be completed before the end of the academic year, referrals for counselling should be submitted by May half term. Referrals received after this date will still be assessed. Where appropriate, children may be signposted to other sources of support or added to the waiting list for the following academic year.
If further support is needed after therapy has ended, children can be referred back to the service six weeks after their final session, if appropriate.
Child Counselling and Play Therapy
Making a Referral
To make a referral, we require:
- A completed referral request form
- A signed parent or carer consent form from all individuals with parental responsibility
- A completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) from the child's school
To arrange a referral please speak to your child's school. They can discuss your concerns, explain the referral process and help with submitting a referral.
If you want to discuss a referral with the service, please email cwnsela@ceredigion.gov.uk.
School counselling offers a safe, confidential and supportive space where you can talk to a qualified counsellor about whatever is on your mind.
You don't need to be in a crisis to access counselling. Pupils may seek support for many different reasons, including anxiety, low mood, stress, friendships, family changes, bereavement, self-esteem, relationships, school pressures or simply because they would like someone independent to talk to.
Counselling is led by you. Your counsellor will listen without judgement and work with you to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at a pace that feels right for you. Together, you can identify what you would like to focus on during your sessions.
Most pupils are offered up to six weekly counselling sessions in school. If further support is needed, your counsellor will discuss the available options with you.
Confidentiality
Counselling is confidential, which means what you talk about will usually stay between you and your counsellor. However, if your counsellor is worried that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, they have a duty to share this information with the appropriate people to help keep everyone safe. Your counsellor will explain how confidentiality works when you first meet.
Who can refer?
You can refer yourself to the service, or a referral can be made by:
- Your school
- A parent or carer
- Another professional working with you
All referrals are reviewed to make sure school counselling is the most appropriate support. If another service would better meet your needs, we will explain the options available.
How to access the service
If you would like to speak to a counsellor, you can:
- Complete a self-referral form available in your school
- Scan your school counselling QR code (where available)
- Speak to a member of school staff, who can help you access the service
- Parents can also refer by completing the Counselling and Play therapy request form
Not every child or young person is able to access counselling in school. Our Community-Based Counselling Service is available for young people 11-18 in Ceredigion who are not currently attending school, including those who are Electively Home Educated (EHE) or accessing education in another setting.
