Counselling service for Rother’s children

A NEW counselling service for children and young people who have experienced abuse and trauma is being launched in Rother.

Deborah Cullen, the service director of AAAC Counselling took the decision to form Butterflies following numerous calls enquiring if AAAC, which is based in Battle, works with children.

Those enquiries prompted Deborah to research what counselling services are currently available and undertake a survey asking local GPs and social services where they referred children and adolescents who had experienced abuse and trauma

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Deborah’s findings confirmed that a local counselling service for children and young people was very much needed and having secured support from other like-minded people Butterflies was launched.

The service will initially offer one-to-one counselling sessions and in 2013 will be introducing Anger Management Groups and Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning .

Deborah said: “Our counsellors will work with children and adolescents from the age of four to 18 years using an integrative approach which incorporates different techniques and strategies from creative, talking and solution focused therapies to enable the individual to explore their issues and find their way forward towards their desired goals. “

Everyone involved with Butterflies will work on a voluntary basis until funding is secured.

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As the service is run on a voluntary basis, Butterflies requires a minimum donation of £5 per session for self-referrals/GP referrals.

Statutory services making referrals would be required to agree to fund a contracted number of sessions.

Butterflies provides up to a maximum of 24 sessions for each child/adolescent.

Deborah and the team have thanked everyone who has donated to Butterflies so far.

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The service is currently looking for extra room space, toys/books and donations/funding - call 01424 775187 or email butterflies.cacs@gmail .com.

Alternatively, join Butterflies at an open morning on Tuesday November 6 at Whatlington Village Hall from 10am – 1pm.

Call for further information.