Ask a counsellor
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Ask a Counsellor is a 20 minute text-based conversation between parents and a qualified counsellor about their child's mental health. Discuss your concerns and receive free signposting to other agencies and organisations and access helpful resources.
We can’t offer legal advice, and we are not a crisis line. But if you have noticed a change in your child’s mood or behaviour join us online and ask a counsellor for advice on whether counselling is for them. Please note this service is for parents aged over 18.
For more information on our counsellors, visit our Counselling page.
Chat with a counsellor through our live messaging service
We have finished our work for Mental Health Awareness Week but are planning other opportunities for you to Ask a Counsellor. If you'd like a reminder when these open please leave your details
Hi I'm Nadine
One of the counselling managers at Spurgeons supporting live chat today. I have a diploma in children's counselling, a first class honours degree in integrative counselling, an MA in early years and childhood studies and I am currently doing a PhD studying autism and trauma at Kings College London.
I have worked as a children's counsellor in primary schools, secondary schools and a women's refuge and now work with Spurgeons. I work in an integrative way to ensure all children get the counselling that is right for them. This included exposure therapy for children that struggle to attend school and sensory profiling for neurodiverse children.
I am passionate in my work as a children's counsellor and strive to work in the best way for each child.
Further support
If you were unable to speak to one of our counsellors through the Ask a Counsellor service during Mental Health Awareness Week, there are plenty of support options and links to resources available.
Do you need urgent help?
If someone’s life is at risk call 999 or go directly to A&E.
If you need urgent help for yourself or someone else, you can:
- get advice from 111
- ask for an urgent GP appointment
- if you are in England find a local NHS Mental Health helpline.
For more support from trained volunteers contact:
The Samaritans on 116 123
Or text Shout to 85258.
Click here if you would like to check out Spurgeons' other services.
Useful helplines and websites
While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer.
We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service of organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.
How the online chat works
When the online chat is live you will see an icon in the bottom right corner of this page. Click there to start your chat.
If you would like to be emailed a reminder every time the site is live please sign up for email reminders.
When the chat goes live we will ask for your email address and a contact number.
Once the chat box is open, type in your question for our counselling team who will respond if they have availability.
If our counsellors are already in chats, we’ll let you know. You can wait until a counsellor is free, or we can email you to let you know the next time the chat is live.
Click the button below to receive reminder emails so you know when we will be live, and counsellors will be available.