Counselling Services for Children, Young People and Families

We are open to referrals mostly for remote working

In some circumstances it may be possible to have face to face sessions provided everyone follows the latest government guidance and social distancing is observed. However, we are open mainly to referrals that are suitable for remote working either by telephone, digital or online video platforms. We have advised practitioners as to training and safeguarding precautions for remote working which will only be available for certain children and families following an assessment and at the discretion of our therapists.

Please apply in the usual way using our online referral forms – on web page ‘How to make a referral’

Therapy sessions will not be recorded by the FCT –  in return it is expected that families will behave with corresponding respect and likewise not record them.

Family Counselling Trust (FCT) is a registered mental health charity providing key early intervention counselling support to children, young people (up to age 18) and their families.

It was founded in Dorset in 2005 to respond to the growing challenges facing families and young people – emotional, behavioural or other mental health problems – where they were unable to access timely and adequate support.  FCT raises funds to enable parents on stretched incomes to access help for their children, with the charity subsidising the cost of the therapy.

FCT offers children and young people an early opportunity to be supported by a qualified psychological therapist, in what is an holistic service involving the families.

A choice of potential counsellors as locally as possible is offered to the families, each counsellor providing a professional profile of how they work to inform parents. All counsellors who see children referred to FCT are carefully vetted and have prior experience of working with children. They are all trained and registered with a professional body, insured, hold clear enhanced DBS certificates and work in accordance with local safeguarding procedures. To date we have helped to transform the lives of thousands of children and their families.

However, the need for this type of support remains high so FCT continues to work with all stakeholders to ensure timely counselling is available to those most in need.