Please read the following information carefully before making a referral
One-to-one youth counselling is offered free of charge to children and young people looking for our help and anyone can make a referral.
We are currently accepting new referrals for one-to-one youth counselling, but there is a waiting list. An initial consultation may be up to 6-8 weeks after your referral is accepted. After the initial consultation, there may be an additional waiting time for regular counselling of roughly 3 months for a session during the day and up to 6 months for sessions from 3pm onwards.
If you would like additional support during this period, we offer a free Wellbeing walk-In service from 4-5pm every Wednesday at the South Downs Social Bike Café (upstairs) for 11-25yr olds. You do not need to make a referral or let us know that you would like to attend this service; just turn up – we look forward to welcoming you!
Please note, we are not a crisis service. Please click the button above if you or a young person needs immediate help.
Eligibility
To be eligible for youth counselling, you must be:
Aged 11-25yrs
Live in the Winchester District
Available to attend counselling sessions between 9am – 5pm, Monday – Thursday
Committed to attending weekly appointments
Making the personal choice to come to counselling – it needs to be your idea to come for help and not someone else’s.
Please note that we cannot offer evening appointments, and we are not currently open on Fridays or weekends. When you refer yourself or a young person for counselling, please state your/their availability for counselling sessions, and we will be in touch with you very shortly.
Please note, we cannot help with the following:
Severe depression
Psychosis
Suicidal behaviour and recent attempts
Severe substance misuse
Dangerous behaviour
Severe learning difficulties
Issues related to adoption and being adopted
Severe PTSD
Diagnosed eating disorders
Please note: We do not accept clients who are involved in an ongoing, active court case. We also have a policy of only working with one sibling at a time.
Please see our FAQs or contact us for queries on other exclusions. If, after reading the information above, and you meet our referral criteria, please complete the relevant form below.
Referral Links
Referral for 11-17 year olds
We request that referrals for 11-17 year olds are made via Hampshire Youth Access (HYA), an umbrella organisation of 11 partner organisations, of which we are one. You will be redirected to HYA's website when you click the link below.
Referral for 18-25 year olds
We accept self, parent/carer and professional referrals. If you are making a professional referral, please ensure you provide your name and contact details in case we require further information.
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Private Therapy for 11-25 year olds
An initiative of WYC, Oak Tree Counselling offers paid for counselling sessions to 11-25-year-olds living in the Winchester District, as well as sessions to support parents of young people. Sessions take place in-person mainly on Fridays and also online.
FAQs
Click below to find a list of FAQs about our counselling service. If you still aren’t able to find what you’re looking for, please email us at admin@winchyc.org or call us on 01962 820444 and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
'I gained a better understanding of my feelings, which has helped me kinder and more patient with myself.'
Some alternative resources include:
Kooth offers free, safe, and anonymous mental wellbeing support: www.kooth.com
Useful links on self-help:https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/what-can-i-do-to-help-myself-cope/
https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/help/young-people/
Parenting Mental Health:
If you wanted to ask the team any questions before making a referral please click the link below or call us on 01962 820444.