At WYC, we are dedicated to giving local young people free, timely support to the best quality counselling.
We are constantly actively managing our waitlist and are currently working through a very high number of requests for help - in the last 6 months we have received more than 1 enquiry a day and we have offered over 1600 1:1 sessions of therapy.
We have temporarily paused direct new referrals. This is to ensure that we are able to connect those already in the service with support, and that we don’t end up with bottlenecks that would keep new clients waiting for longer than necessary. If aged 11-17 (or 24 for care leavers and SEND), you are still able to refer via Hampshire Youth Access - please click here for more information.
When we reopen our books to direct referrals in late September, our aim will be to see young people for an initial consultation within 6 weeks. It should then be possible for you/them to start regular counselling within 6 months of their assessment, if they are able to be flexible with the timing of their session. If you would like to seek private counselling, we offer a small number of paid-for slots via our 'Oak Tree Counselling' private service. Please click here for more information.
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, 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.
In the meantime, there are lots of other ways you can link with our service and our counsellors and our groups and drop-ins will continue to run over the summer.
Please click below to find out more informtation.
WYC Support for Parents/Carers
We are here for parents and carers too. Click below to find out more about our free parent/carer support groups, 1:1 parent consultations and evening parent workshops.
Wellbeing Walk-In
Facilitated by counsellors and trained staff to offer free mental health drop-in for 11-25yr olds, no referrals or appointments needed.
Resource Hub & Useful Links
Whether you’re a young person aged 11-25 or a parent/carer, our resource hub shows range of local activities & events, helpful advice and practical tips, tailored just for you.
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'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.