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14 April 2025
What Counselling Can Look Like for Children and Adults
What Counselling Can Look Like for Children and Adults
Counselling isn’t one-size-fits-all. And it shouldn’t be.
At Rainbow Rogues, counselling should be accessible, adaptable, and human. Whether you’re a child working through big emotions or an adult carrying the weight of the world, our service meets you where you are without judgment, pressure, or the need for a diagnosis.
This blog will explore what counselling can look like, how it feels, and how it can help you or someone you care about.
For Adults: A Space to Breathe
Counselling for adults is often imagined as lying on a couch and talking endlessly—but in reality, it's more like a conversation in a safe, neutral space.
Maybe you're navigating stress, burnout, anxiety, grief, relationship breakdowns, or trauma. Perhaps you're not feeling like yourself. That's enough.
In a session, you might:
• Talk freely without being interrupted or judged
• Explore patterns in your thinking or behaviour
• Learn calming techniques and emotional regulation tools
• Feel heard, sometimes for the first time in years
Some people come for a short time. Others stay longer. You decide what you need. Each session at Rainbow Rogues lasts 50 minutes, and the pace is entirely your own.
For Children: Building Trust Through Play
Children don’t always have the words to express what’s happening inside. That’s why counselling for younger children often looks very different from counselling for adults.
We work with children aged four and up. Sessions are guided by trained counsellors who use:
• Play therapy
• Storytelling and drawing
• Sand trays, puppets, and role-play
These tools allow children to express feelings in a way that makes sense. We aim to create a calm, engaging space where they feel safe enough to explore big emotions like fear, frustration, sadness, or confusion.
We also support children with neurodivergent identities, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Every child’s needs are different, and our counselling sessions reflect that.
What Makes Rainbow Rogues Different?
• We don’t rush. There are no session limits unless you choose to end.
• We understand neurodivergence. Our counsellors include those with lived experience and specialist training.
• We serve the whole community. Parents, carers, young people, and individuals of all backgrounds.
• We keep it affordable. Each session is £30, and we reinvest those funds into services for local families.
• We offer options. In-person, phone, and online sessions are all available.
What to Expect When You Start
You can self-refer online at www.rainbowrogues.org.uk. We’ll get in touch to arrange a first appointment.
Your first session is a chance to meet your counsellor and discuss what you’d like support with. There’s no pressure to open up straight away. Some people talk a lot, and others don’t. That’s okay. We’re here to support you at your own pace.
If you need support, we’re here to walk beside you.
💬 Where to Start-Tips
• Think about what kind of space you need. Would it help to talk to someone? Would your child benefit from expressing feelings through play or art?
Visit www.rainbowrogues.org.uk and look at our counselling referral form—it’s simple and confidential, and no GP referral is needed.
• Ask yourself, "If someone I cared about was struggling, would I want them to get support?” If the answer is yes, you’re also allowed that same care.
You don’t have to explain everything. You don’t have to be at breaking point.
Just come as you are, we’ll meet you there.
🔍 What the Research Says
Counselling isn't just about talking—it's about healing, reflecting, and finding tools that help you move forward. Research from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) highlights just how effective it can be:
- 87% of clients said they were better able to cope with everyday life after counselling.
- The most commonly reported benefits included greater self-understanding, emotional relief, and improved relationships.
- Counselling helped reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and low mood in people of all ages.
These findings show what we see daily at Rainbow Rogues: when people feel safe, understood, and accepted, they begin to heal.
“Counselling has a significant positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.”
— British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (2021)
📌 Source:
Helpful Resources
• 🌈 Rainbow Rogues Referral Form
If you’re ready to explore counselling or want to refer someone else, this is a gentle and easy place to begin. Our form is short, confidential, and requires no diagnosis or GP involvement. We’ll follow up and support you from there—at your own pace.
• 💭 NHS Inform – Mental Health and Wellbeing
Scotland’s national health information service offers reliable advice, mental health self-help guides, and ways to connect with NHS services in your local area. It's a helpful place to start if you're overwhelmed or unsure about what help is available.
• 🧠 Kooth
A free, safe, and anonymous platform for young people aged 10–18 to talk about their mental health. Kooth offers live chat with trained counsellors, a supportive online community, and helpful journaling tools. No referral or waiting list required.
• 🏫 Aberdeenshire School Counselling
Most Aberdeenshire secondary schools now offer access to a trained school counsellor. To learn more, pupils can self-refer or speak with a guidance teacher or trusted adult. Support is free, confidential, and available during the school week.
• 💛 Mind – Guide to Seeking Help
This UK-wide mental health charity provides easy-to-understand resources on anxiety, depression, self-harm, and more. Mind is a great place to start if you’re unsure how to ask for help—or what support might look like.