Counselling

Counselling at the Alder Centre

At The Alder Centre, we offer free, specialist counselling for anyone affected by the death of a child, regardless of the child’s age or where the death occurred. Our support is available to:

Parents and carers
Grandparents
Siblings, cousins, and friends of the child
Children and young people aged 4+
Families and groups

Whether you’re a parent or grandparent grieving an adult child or a friend navigating child bereavement, we’re here for you.

How we support you

Counselling is available in a way that suits your needs:

One-to-one
As a couple
Within a family group
In peer groups with others experiencing similar grief

Support is offered in blocks of 24 sessions, followed by a therapeutic break. Sessions can take place in person at The Alder Centre, or remotely via phone or online.

All our counsellors are professionally trained in grief and child bereavement and are registered with a recognised Counselling and Psychotherapy association. We also work closely with the Snowdrop Bereavement Team to ensure continuity of care following a child’s death in the hospital or the community.

Support for Children and Young People

We offer age-appropriate therapeutic support using:

Arts & crafts
Sand and therapeutic play
Talking therapy
Music

Children can attend sessions individually or with family, depending on their age and need. Sessions typically last 20-60 minutes, and the number of sessions is tailored to each child. Children are always in control of what they share, and support evolves as their understanding of grief grows.

We also provide guidance for parents, schools, and professionals supporting bereaved children.

Specialist Therapies

In addition to counselling, we offer:

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
An evidence-based treatment that helps people process trauma without needing to talk in detail about painful memories. It uses guided eye movements or similar techniques to reduce the emotional impact of distressing experiences and is often in fewer sessions that traditional therapy.
Clay Field Therapy
A non-verbal, hands-on approach using a box of soft clay. Clients explore the clay with their hands, often with eyes closed, to process emotions through touch and movement rather than words. It’s especially helpful for those who struggle to express feelings verbally.