
Deborah Padgett-Simmons BA (Hons), MBACP Counselling for Children & Young People
About me
Hello & Welcome,
Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of a child or young person?
At Healthy Minds Tees Valley I offer specialist support for children & teenagers.
There are a variety of reasons why counselling may be the next step. Sometimes children need help learning how to manage feelings like anger or sadness, they may be coping with anxiety or trauma, friendships could be difficult or perhaps they just don’t feel right & would like something to change.
I provide a warm, non judgemental & therapeutic relationship where children & young people are supported to better understand & manage their experiences, thoughts & feelings. As an experienced integrative counsellor I draw on a number of counselling approaches to provide effective, age & developmentally appropriate, tailored support.
As a family member, carer or perhaps a school worker supporting a child in distress can be worrying and stressful. I can work with you to help your child move towards an improved sense of well-being. At Healthy Minds Tees Valley I also provide a school commissioned service available for an individual pupil or several, across primary & secondary schools.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am privileged to have been working as a therapist with children and families for over 10 years. I have worked with a number of leading mental health organisations alongside some wonderful local services which have enabled me to develop a breadth of therapeutic knowledge.
I hold a BA (Hons) degree in Counselling, and I'm a Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - Registration No: 176450 which demonstrates that I meet and am committed to high standards of proficiency, professionalism and ethical counselling practice.
I am also insured and hold an Enhanced DBS certificate.
Areas of counselling I deal with
- Abuse
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Attachment disorder
- Attachment disorder in children
- Autism
- Behaviour problems
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Cancer
- Carer support
- Child related issues
- Childhood bereavement
- Childhood bullying
- Children’s learning difficulties
- Depression
- Depression and anxiety in children
- Domestic violence
- Emotional abuse
- Family issues
- Feeling sad
- Health anxiety
- Loneliness
- Low self-confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Physical abuse
- Relationship problems
- Self-harm
- Separation anxiety
- Sexual abuse
- Sexuality
- Stress
- Suicidal thoughts
- Trauma
- Work-related stress
- Young carers
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I support children and young people with a variety of issues, if you do not see your concern listed here please do get in touch to see if I am able to help.
Photos & videos
Fees
Initial enquiries are free of charge.
Counselling sessions are charged at £40 per session & £45 for weekend appointments.
Further information
I am passionate about supporting our future generations to achieve their full potential in life, to overcome adversity and to create the bright futures that they deserve.
My approach to counselling is grounded in acceptance and compassion. I work alongside children and young people to support them to make sense of their emotions and to empower them to move forward with an improved sense of wellbeing.
I am also a Trauma Informed counsellor meaning that I am aware of the complex impact of trauma on a child’s distress and how it shapes their efforts to cope.
I work within primary & secondary schools across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington, Redcar & Cleveland.
Appointments are also available outside of schools, held within a comfortable therapeutic workspace on the riverside in central Stockton.
Maps & Directions
Type of session
Online counselling: | No |
Telephone counselling: | Yes |
Face to face counselling: | Yes |
Home visits: | No |
Practical details
Sign language: | No |
Other languages: | None |
Availability
Availability varies, I aim to be as flexible as possible.
Types of client
Children |
Young people |
Families |
Employee Assistance Programme |