Counselling for young people who self-harm
Online support from specialists, tailored for your child – from the comfort of home:
- 1:1 sessions with expert therapists trained in helping children and young people who self-harm or are considering self-harm
- Compassionate, BACP-trained professionals who understand your child's needs
- Appointments available within 48 hours – no waiting lists
Get the support you need, when you need it.
- Flexible and affordable - just £65 per session
- No contracts, no commitments – pay-as-you-go for peace of mind
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HERE TO HELP AT EVERY STEP
How it works
Accessing counselling doesn't need to be difficult. We make the process of getting started simple and straightforward.
1. Choose a counsellor
Browse our therapist directory to find a good match for your child.
2. Book your first session
Find a therapist with the right availability. You can then have the same time each week.
3. Meet the therapist
Meet them together or leave your child to it. They'll call you after to discuss next steps.
4. Weekly counselling sessions
The therapy begins! Sessions are confidential, but we'll be in touch with regular updates.
Reviews from Users
Booked an appointment after my daughter revealed she had been self-harming. I wanted her to have someone she could talk openly with about her feelings. She was (understandably) very nervous before the first session, but the Therapist put her mind at ease & they were chatting away like old friends in no time. Her demeanour before & after the session were like night & day - it was immediately clear that speaking to someone made her feel like a weight had been lifted! Very impressed with the service, booking functionality & the ability to interact with the Therapist in the run-up to & after the appointment.
I would like to thank Kim Taylor who has worked with my daughter Amy through her anxiety and self harm. Amy connected with Kim instantly and soon built up a trust. Amy is now a different person and we are looking forward to the future. Thanks Kim.
Why choose mable?
Our approach is all about making therapy more accessible, more engaging and more motivating for children and young people. We have a network of counsellors who are fully-qualified, experienced and passionate about supporting mental health.
Immediate access
We have a UK-wide network of counsellors, with sessions available within 48 hours.
Flexible appointments
Engaging therapy
Regular communication
Sessions from home
Choice of counsellor
Getting the right match is the key to effective therapy. Choose the counsellor that's right for you.
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Why mable is different
We understand the challenges young people are going through, and we’re passionate about giving them the resilience and self-esteem to face whatever life throws at them. We have a dedicated team of counsellors, who use kindness, compassion and empathy to build a trusting relationship with your child. From there, they help them explore the root of their difficulties, recognise patterns in their behaviour and find ways to overcome their challenges.
Our gamified video platform is the result of years of research into how to engage and motivate children so they get the most out of their therapy. Designed by therapists, it features games, activities and resources which bring therapeutic concepts to life and explain ‘big ideas’ in a simple way. The familiarity of the online platform is also proven to reduce anxiety and accelerate progress.
Our sessions are designed to help children get through their short-term difficulties, while also strengthening their long-term resilience and self-esteem. We don’t have a magic wand and we can’t offer a quick fix, but we can help your child to develop the psychological foundations for a healthier, happier future.
Our approach isn't about trying to replicate 'in-person' sessions. We're passionate about utilising technology to create a new and improved therapy approach that aligns with the needs and interests of young people. Mable users not only benefit from our gamified technology, designed to make sessions motivating and engaging, they also get a more accessible counselling experience. Research shows the majority of young people prefer working online, as it's less intimidating than a clinical setting. This makes them less anxious and allows them to open up more quickly.
Today's young people face unique challenges, from social media pressures to global uncertainties, requiring mental health professionals to constantly adapt to meet their needs. Our research-driven approach allows us to keep up with these changes. Mable's software developers are always creating new, innovative, digital tools that resonate with tech-savvy young clients, making therapy more engaging and effective.
Technology isn't at the heart of what we do, children and young people are. But we are experts in using technology to give children and young people the best possible therapeutic experience, enabling them to be the best person they can be.
Mable has a network of fully qualified, DBS-checked, experienced counsellors with a range of specialisms and expertise. We don't just select counsellors based on their qualifications, we interview each one, and only recruit those that have that 'special spark' needed to connect with children and young people.
Our network of counsellors is UK-wide, giving you lots of choice and a better chance at finding the right match. Research shows that the most important factor in whether counselling will work is if the client feels a strong bond with their counsellor. Our counselling directory allows you and your child to browse our team and choose the person that feels like a good match. If your child meets them and they don't feel a connection, it's really easy to switch and try someone else instead.
Our counsellors adapt each session to the individual needs of the young person. They'll use a range of age-appropriate activities and games, designed to reduce anxiety and and accelerate the therapeutic work. Although sessions are confidential, they make regular contact with parents and carers and will always let them know if they have concerns. It's easy to contact the counsellor, and they'll always do their best to get back to you quickly and answer any questions.
What happens in a Mable session?
Sometimes it's hard to open up to family or friends. Our counsellors provide a judgement-free zone where young people can express themselves freely and work through concerns.
If you're not sure how to broach the idea of counselling with your child, or you're a young person preparing to tell your parents how you feel, this video explains more about what counselling is, and how Mable can help.
Our thoughts and ideas on mental health
Learn more about the world of children's mental health and communication needs. All of our blogs are written by members of the Mable Therapy clinical team.
Why vibing with your therapist is a game-changer for your mental health
Supporting Your Child Through Grief: Professional Grief Counselling
Your questions answered
At Mable Therapy, we adopt a relational counselling approach to support young people who self-harm. Establishing a trusting, empathetic relationship is paramount, as it encourages openness and helps the individual feel safe sharing their experiences and feelings. Our therapists work collaboratively with each young person, focusing on understanding their unique struggles and emotional triggers. This relational approach allows us to create a non-judgmental space where they can explore their feelings, learn healthier coping strategies, and express themselves without fear. By fostering a strong therapeutic alliance, we empower young people to process their emotions, develop resilience, and find alternative ways to cope with their distress.
Counselling is a safe space where your child can feel free to express their feelings and worries. The counsellor will use their training and expertise to build a warm and trusting relationship with them, so they feel empowered to explore their difficulties.
Each young person is unique. Some will have a strong idea of how they wish to use the sessions and will talk through their issues confidently. For others, they may need more encouragement from their counsellor. Our counsellors will know how much they need to 'lead' the sessions.
With our interactive, online games, your child is able to engage in fun and creative activities which support the therapeutic process and improve their emotional wellbeing. These resources are great for creative and play therapy, which are effective ways of helping children open up and express their feelings.
Each counselling session is £65 and lasts 45 minutes. Mable therapists work with your child's individual needs to create a unique therapeutic experience. Mable technology allows your child to work creatively with their therapist online to get the most effective results.
The frequency and number of counselling sessions can depend on several factors, such as the severity of your child's difficulties, their level of motivation and engagement in the therapy process, and the goals you and your child have set for therapy.
It's most common for counselling sessions to be scheduled on a weekly basis, especially in the beginning stages of therapy. Over time, the frequency of sessions may decrease as progress is made, and the counsellor may suggest moving to fortnightly or monthly.
Following the first session your counsellor will make a suggestion for an initial block of sessions, this will usually be around 10 sessions. You're not charged for sessions all in one go, payment is taken 48 hours before each session, but it is helpful to book them all in, in collaboration with your counsellor.
You're free to pause or stop the sessions at any time. However, it can be incredibly damaging to your child to cancel their sessions without notice. If your child is not finding the sessions helpful you are free to cancel, however we still recommend a final session to review what’s been covered and to discuss future strategies.
We're able to offer counselling to children and young people between the ages of 6-25.
The first session is your chance to meet the counsellor and ask any questions. You can do this alone, or with your child present. Once you’ve done this and your child is happy and settled with the counsellor, please leave them to access the session privately. The counsellor will contact you after this session to discuss next steps, including agreeing a regular session time. They will then be in contact regularly to arrange future sessions and to give general feedback on how things are going.
The counsellor cannot share any details of what is discussed in the sessions unless there is a safeguarding concern. On some occasions they may feel it’s appropriate to share something from the sessions with you, however, they will only ever do so with the permission of the child. Every 5-6 weeks they will have a check-in call with you to discuss progress, but they will only share details that your child has consented to.
Mable sessions take place using our unique video platform. It’s a bit like a Zoom session, but much better! Our software has in-built games, activities and resources to make the counselling an immersive, creative, child-centred experience.
Unlike NHS or school counselling, Mable offers no waiting lists and sessions within 48 hours.
Our qualified therapists specialise in engaging, child-friendly approaches that make therapy effective and enjoyable, all from the comfort of your own home.