Children's Services
Therapy, Groups and Projects designed for the Under 18s
Services for Children
Children's Counselling
Our trained & qualified counsellors use a range of creative approaches to engage children in the counselling process. As some children & young people struggle to ‘say’ what they are feeling, the counselling team offer experience, insight and skill to communicate and build safe ways of expression.
Seeing children from around age 4 upwards, The ME Project team have helped many children to regain their confidence and work through difficulties.
The Therapy team are able to work with young people experiencing issues such as:
- Trauma
- Loss & Grief
- Anxiety & low confidence
- Low mood & negative thoughts
- Suicidal thoughts & self harm
- Divorce & Separation of parents
- ASD/Neurodiversity – coping with differences
- Food issues
- and more….
Contact the team to make a referral by email at Hello@me-project.co.uk
Art Therapy
The ME Project Art Therapists are committed to supporting children & young people through creative expression.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its main mode of expression and communication. Suitable for children & adults, this therapeutic approach enables all those who can’t find their voice, to communicate their feelings.
Please see the Art Therapy page or make contact with us for more information.
Play Therapy
At The ME Project we try to offer a variety of therapy services for children as they are have so many ways that they express emotions. Play therapy can be suitable for younger children who can’t or don’t use verbal means to communicate how they feel.
Play therapy can use a range of tools and creative methods to explore the child’s world, such as sand play, puppets and musical instruments among other things.
Contact us to find out more about play therapy services.
Young people's Mentoring
The ME Project staff are pleased to be able to offer sessions to children with a Mentor on a 1:1 basis. The mentors aren’t qualified counsellors so it’s a service suitable only for young people with low level mental health needs.
All mentors undergo DBS clearance and are matched with young people to ensure that a trusted and safe relationship can help the child to work on their personal stresses and triggers.
Mentoring can take place in the community, which is great for young people who reject the idea of in-venue talking services.
Mentors can meet for coffee or go for a walk if this makes the talking more comfortable.
Contact us to book a free mentoring assessment.
Groups & projects
Sometimes we receive funding from DMBC or The National Lottery to provide this for free!
Artfully adapting is a 6 week group project for young people where art & creativity are combined with lively discussion.
An exciting blend of creative art, music, movement and Harry Potter-esque writing, the project is designed for young people with lower level emotional wellbeing concerns.
Check out our Facebook page, this is where we post details of upcoming groups & projects!
childhood Mental Health rates have been rising in the last several years.
can you spot the warning signs?
The warning signs
In children and young adults, signs of mental illness can show up in many different ways and may not be just signs of growing up.
OCD
OCD in children can manifest as compulsive behaviours, they feel they have to go through certain rituals in order to make sure bad things don't happen.
Self Harm
Self harming can be a way of getting rid of overwhelming feelings that build up inside. It can take many forms including banging their heads on the wall and even biting, cutting or hitting themselves.
Eating Disorders
Avoiding eating food is just one sign of eating disorders. Other signs include worrying about body image, weight loss, reducing portions, hiding/hoarding food and mood swings.
Suicidal Thoughts
Not everyone having suicidal thoughts looks unhappy. Other signs to look out for are distancing from friends, a drop in grades, changes in sleeping & eating habits and lack of interest in daily activities.
Agoraphobia
Although Agoraphobia is commonly associated with a fear of stepping outside the home. It can manifest in children by a simple school refusal or separation anxiety.
Substance Abuse
Signs of substance abuse in young people can also mimic the signs of puberty, other signs to look out for include paranoia, memory problems and a lack of interest in friends and hobbies.
Depression in children can manifest in many different ways:
Although mostly associated as an adult illness, children and adolescents can develop depression as well. Unfortunately, many children with depression go untreated because adults don't recognise that they're depressed.
Most parents pass off their child's irritability, anger and defiant attitude as a part of normal development, but if it lasts longer than two weeks, it may be a sign of depression.
Excessive tiredness is a symptom of depression. Children may also have trouble sleeping. When tiredness starts to get in the way of things they enjoy, this could signify a problem.
A loss of interest in usual fun activities and withdrawing from friends can be a sign if depression in children.