Therapy, Counselling & Support

Therapy

Growing up can be tricky for some children and young people. Parents also often struggle to know how best to help their child. We offer support to parents and children of any age (birth to 25) and to families, step-families, re-constituted families and anything else.

We offer:

  • Individual sessions for children and young people
  • Sessions for one or both parents
  • Sessions for parents and children
  • Family sessions
  • Sessions for children and young people with parents either sitting in for moral support or coming at the end for feedback on our work
  • Sessions for young adults (16-25 years)

How sessions are organised will depend on the difficulties you are having, what works for your family and the age of the children and young people. There is no hard and fast rule and we work with you to think about what would be most helpful.

 

Headspace Guildford provides a safe space for children/young people and their families to talk openly and discuss their difficulties or worries confidentially. You will always be listened to at Headspace Guildford and we will work together to find ways to help. We always start with an initial session which gives us the chance to get to know you and why you’ve come, and gives you the chance to get to know us and see if you think we can work together. If you come back for more sessions, we tend to map out the difficulties and develop a plan that fits you best. We may share strategies that we know works from our experience or the evidence base. We will bring our training and expertise and you bring your knowledge of yourself and what will work best for you.

These are some of the areas where we can help:

    • Challenging behaviour
    • Anger difficulties
    • Family relationships
    • Managing changes
    • Fears and anxieties
    • Chronic fatigue and chronic pain
    • Trauma
    • Coping with illness, health problems and living with a condition
    • Low mood and depression
    • Difficulties with attachment or separation
    • Difficulties managing feelings or regulating emotion
    • Sleeping difficulties
    • Feeding difficulties
    • Self-harm and feeling life is not worth living
    • Low Self-Confidence
    • Low Self-Esteem
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Tic and tourettes
    • Panic attacks
    • Stress
    • Coping with bereavement (including, but not limited to, losing a sibling or parent)
    • And many other things besides
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Don’t just take it from us…

 

“Before coming to Headspace Guildford I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. My Mum and Dad really wanted me to go, but I wasn’t sure.

 

But after my first visit I couldn’t wait to come back and play more fun games with Ellie. I really loved building a den with her in one of my first sessions! Ellie is great at listening and always had helpful answers about the way I was feeling.

 

She taught me that there is no need to be embarrassed about how you feel or for being you! It is okay to cry or to be scared and to show those feelings. Ellie wants to help you, so the more you tell her, the more she can help you.

 

The sessions take up time but they are really worth it and it never feels like a chore. There is no need to worry. Going to see Ellie was really exciting and although you might feel scared at first, it will get better.”
                                                                                     (Sam, aged 9)

Support for new parents, pre and postnatally

Therapy

Becoming a new parent can be an amazing experience but it is also immensely challenging. From the moment you find out about the pregnancy you may have very mixed feelings about the baby. And, even if you are really excited about your new baby, there are still many new experiences to navigate. Sometimes having a space to explore these challenges and consider the options can help parents to feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

We offer support to new parents, from before their baby comes and onwards once they begin their journey with their child. These challenges exist for mothers, fathers and non-binary parents. Sometimes it can be difficult for some new parents to express how they are feeling. Having some headspace can be as helpful for all new parents, so if you are a couple or co-parenting I can see either parent, or both of you together, depending on your needs. We are happy to see you with your baby, and age-appropriate toys are available for any babies wanting to play whilst we talk.

We also offer support to families whose baby or child has died.  If your baby has died in your family please know you are not alone. We have a lot of experience of supporting bereaved parents, children and young people. Let us know if it would be helpful to talk to someone.

These are some of the areas where we can help:

  • Feelings about pregnancy and getting your head around the impending arrival
  • Pregnancy after loss of a baby
  • Pregnancy after fertility treatment
  • Parenting during and after surrogacy
  • Making space for a baby in your life
  • Dealing with anxiety in pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting
  • Talking through decisions about care of your baby, including for single parents who sometimes welcome a space to talk through dilemmas and challenges.
  • Helping parents think about and manage constant crying, sleeping difficulties and feeding difficulties
  • Changes in identity
  • Changes in couple relationship
  • Anxieties and fears about your baby
  • Managing behaviour
  • Laying a firm emotional foundation
  • Helping your little one to manage their strong feelings (emotional regulation)
  • Understanding development
  • Processing a traumatic birth experience including PTSD following the birth of your child
  • Parenting strategies and making parenting decisions
  • Attachment parenting
  • Attachment difficulties
  • Separation anxiety
  • Mindfulness and/or Relaxation techniques for pregnancy
  • Parenting after a neonatal (NICU/HDU/SCBU) admission
  • A space to talk about the loss of your baby or child who has died