Question 1

Who runs Finding Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Finding Therapy is run by Helen Spiers, our Head of Counselling, and Elliot Agro, our CEO. They’re the former Head of Counselling and CEO at Mable Therapy, one of the UK’s most established online counselling services for children and young people. In 2025 they set out on their own to build Finding Therapy, taking everything they’d learned and doing it better.

Helen (MBACP Accred) is a therapist and former teacher. She leads the counselling team, reads the messages that come in and supports families with using our service. Elliot has overseen therapy services for children and young people for over ten years. He looks after the technology and the running of Finding Therapy.

Question 2

Do you work with families outside the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As long as your therapist's indemnity insurance covers the country you are in, your child can have sessions from abroad.

Question 3

How do I choose a counsellor?

Accepted Answer

Browse our counsellor profiles and see who stands out. Each one shows who they are, what they specialise in and how they work with children and young people. If your child is old enough to have a view, involve them: it often helps when the choice feels like theirs. Every counsellor here is vetted and known to us personally, so whoever you choose, you can trust who you've found. And if you're still not sure, book a free intro call and Helen, our Head of Counselling, will help you work out who would fit.

Question 4

How do I make a complaint?

Accepted Answer

Our therapists are self-employed and responsible for their own practice, so if you have a concern, the best first step is to raise it directly with your child's therapist. If it feels unresolved, you can escalate it to their professional body, such as the BACP or NCPS, and we can help you with how to do that. Finding Therapy may step in for service-related issues, though we do not make clinical decisions.

Question 5

How involved will I be as a parent?

Accepted Answer

In the first session, you are welcome to join for a short while to meet the therapist and help your child settle in. After that, sessions are private, so your child has the space to talk freely. Therapists stay in regular contact and are always available for your questions, though they only share what is discussed with your child's consent, or if there is a safeguarding concern.

Question 6

What is Finding Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Finding Therapy is an online platform that connects children and young people with qualified counsellors. We focus on matching each young person with a therapist who suits their personality, needs, and goals, because the right relationship makes the biggest difference to whether therapy helps.

Question 7

Can I end therapy at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You are free to stop sessions at any point, as long as you give more than 24 hours' notice to avoid being charged for the next one. We do recommend at least one planned ending session with your child's therapist. Bringing things to a proper close helps your child reflect on the progress they have made, and avoids leaving things feeling unfinished.

Question 8

Do I need a GP referral or a diagnosis to start?

Accepted Answer

No. You don't need a referral, a diagnosis, or anything from your GP. We're independent of the NHS, so there's no waiting list. If you are 18 or over you can book yourself in, as long as you’re able to make payment via card.

Question 9

Do I need everyone with parental responsibility to give consent?

Accepted Answer

No. We only need one parent or carer with legal parental responsibility to give consent. By signing, you confirm that others who share that responsibility agree.

Question 10

Do you support neurodivergent children?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of our therapists have experience working with autistic and ADHD children, as well as other forms of neurodivergence, and we can adapt sessions to suit your child's needs.

Question 11

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We offer counselling for children and young people aged 6 to 25.

Question 12

Can I see my child's session notes?

Accepted Answer

Counselling sessions are confidential, so notes are kept private unless there is a serious safety concern. All notes are stored securely for 8 years, or until your child turns 25, whichever is longer.

Question 13

What happens if the therapist decides to end therapy?

Accepted Answer

If a therapist feels that continuing is not in your child's best interest, they may bring sessions to a respectful close. They will always aim to do this in a supportive, professional way, and help you think about next steps.

Question 14

What if I'm not sure therapy is right for my child yet?

Accepted Answer

That's how most people start. The first session is a chance for them to talk through what's been going on and decide together whether ongoing sessions would help. You're not committing to ongoing sessions by booking it.

Question 15

Who are the therapists?

Accepted Answer

All our therapists are qualified professionals with experience working with children and young people. Each one holds a recognised UK counselling qualification, an Enhanced DBS check (renewed every three years), up-to-date safeguarding training, and professional indemnity insurance. They are also registered with a recognised professional body such as the BACP or NCPS.

Question 16

What if my child doesn’t want to talk?

Accepted Answer

That’s really common, especially with teenagers, and it doesn’t mean therapy can’t help. Our counsellors work with reluctant young people all the time, so they know not to push. Sessions are deliberately low-demand: your child is never made to talk, and the counsellor lets them set the pace and open up in their own time. Alongside talking, they can use gentler, creative approaches, such as art, games, shorter activities with breaks, and the shared tools on our platform, so a young person can engage without having to sit and talk for a whole session. The easiest first step is a chat with Helen, our Head of Counselling: the intro call is free, there’s no pressure, and she’ll help you work out what might suit your child. If we don’t think we’re the right fit, we’ll be honest and help point you somewhere more suitable.

Question 17

Does online therapy actually work for young people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Studies of children and young people find they make just as much progress online as they do face-to-face³, and many say they find online sessions less intimidating to begin with. With the right platform and tools, online therapy isn’t a compromise; it’s often a better experience.

3. Bevilacqua et al., Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2024); von Wirth et al., Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare (2023).

Question 18

Are sessions online or in-person?

Accepted Answer

All of our sessions are done online, via video call. This gives you access to the best children and young people’s counsellors across the UK and means you can find the right match for your child. If your child is keen to see someone in person, then we might not be the right fit for them, but there’s lots of research that shows that many young people prefer online as it’s less awkward and intimidating than a clinical setting. Have a conversation with your child and see what they’d prefer, counselling is more likely to be successful if it’s done in the setting they’d most prefer.

Question 19

What's the difference between a therapist and a counsellor?

Accepted Answer

In everyday use, the two terms overlap so much that we use them interchangeably. Both a counsellor and a therapist are trained, qualified professionals who help children and young people talk through and make sense of what they are going through.

Some people use counselling for shorter, focused support and therapy for longer-term work, but the line between them is blurred. What matters far more than the word is that the person is properly qualified, registered with a recognised professional body, and the right fit for your child.

Question 20

Can sessions happen through typing instead of talking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sessions take place over video, but we also have a creative whiteboard to write on, and many of our counsellors are happy to work by typing rather than speaking if that feels more comfortable. This can help if speaking out loud is difficult, if writing is an easier way to communicate, or where a disability or communication need makes typing the better fit. Just let us know when we're matching you, and we'll find a counsellor who works this way.

Question 21

Do you use Zoom or Teams for sessions?

Accepted Answer

No. We have built our own secure therapy platform, designed specifically for working with children and young people. It includes interactive activities and resources therapists can use to help your child feel comfortable and engaged. A dedicated platform also lets us hold privacy, safeguarding, and security to the highest standard.

Question 22

Will I get reports or updates?

Accepted Answer

Therapists do not provide formal reports, assessments, or letters. You will, though, have regular chances to speak with your child's therapist about how things are going. They won't share the detail of what is discussed, but they can let you know whether your child is engaging and suggest ways you can support them.

Question 23

Will my child see the same therapist each session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they work with the same therapist throughout, unless they decide they’d like to change. Building trust over time is a big part of what makes therapy work, so once they've matched with someone, all future sessions are with them.

Question 24

Can both parents have an account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each parent or carer can have their own account and message the therapist privately. Messages between one parent and the therapist are not visible to the other parent, and neither parent can see your child's messages to the therapist. Privacy is built into how every account works.

Question 25

Can someone be present to support or translate during a session?

Accepted Answer

Counselling works best as a private space between the young person and their counsellor, so we usually advise against having another person in the room. We do understand there are exceptional circumstances, though, and some of our counsellors are willing to work with a trusted person present to support or translate where that's genuinely needed. If this would help, tell us when we're matching you and we'll talk it through and find the right counsellor.

Question 26

How long is each session, and how often do they happen?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 45 minutes. Most families start with one session a week, then adjust the regularity with the therapist as things go on. Occasionally, if a child is very young or finds online sessions difficult, we may agree to shorten a session slightly, though this is not usually needed.

Question 27

What if my child doesn't click with their therapist?

Accepted Answer

Finding the right person matters, so we’d never encourage sticking it out with someone who doesn't feel right. Your child can switch therapists at any time, just let us know and we'll help you find someone better suited. No awkward conversations needed.

Question 28

What if my child struggles with the tech?

Accepted Answer

Our platform is designed to be simple and reliable. If your child ever has trouble joining, we will support them step by step. In the rare event that the technology fails, the therapist can continue by phone, or we will reschedule.

Question 29

How much do sessions cost?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are £65 for 45 minutes. There are no subscriptions and no hidden costs. Payment is taken automatically 72 hours before each session, and there is a 24-hour cancellation policy.

Question 30

Is there a contract or minimum number of sessions?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no contract, no minimum commitment, and no penalty for stopping. Most families use reserved sessions, a regular weekly slot held for your child, because consistent therapy tends to work better. If a more flexible, session-by-session arrangement suits your family, we can talk through what works.

Question 31

What is a reserved session?

Accepted Answer

A reserved session is your child's regular weekly slot with their therapist, the same day and time each week, scheduled a few weeks ahead. It is held for you automatically, so you don't have to rebook after every appointment. Most families choose this because regular, consistent therapy works better than ad hoc appointments, but a flexible arrangement is available if it suits you better.

Question 32

Why are there already sessions in my diary?

Accepted Answer

After your first session, we set up your next few appointments automatically, on the same day and time each week, so you always have a consistent slot rather than rebooking week by week.

Seeing them in your diary doesn't mean you have been charged or committed to attending them all. Payment is only taken 72 hours before each session, and you can cancel, skip, or stop at any time (up to 24 hours before).

Question 33

When will I be charged?

Accepted Answer

Payment is taken automatically 72 hours before each session. Your dashboard shows which upcoming sessions have been paid and which have a payment date coming up. You only ever pay for sessions your child actually attends (unless you cancel it with less than 24 hours’ notice).

Question 34

What if I need to cancel or move a session?

Accepted Answer

Cancel or move a session with more than 24 hours' notice and you won't be charged. You can reschedule it yourself from your dashboard, or simply skip the week, and your regular slot carries on as normal afterwards. If you cancel within 24 hours, the full session fee applies, because the therapist has set that time aside for your child.

Question 35

Can we skip a week if we need a break?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You won't be charged for a skipped week, and your slot will be waiting for you the following week. If you need a longer break, just let your therapist know.

Question 36

Is what my child shares with their therapist confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. What they talk about in sessions stays between them and the therapist, and won’t be shared with you as the parent, their school, or anyone else without your child’s permission. The only exceptions are when there’s a serious risk to their safety or someone else’s, or where there’s a legal obligation to share. The therapist will explain this in your child’s first session.

Question 37

My child is under 16, will I know how it’s going?

Accepted Answer

Our counsellors are happy to have regular check-ins with you, so you know how therapy is progressing, but the detail of sessions stays private. This is so your child feels safe to open up. If a therapist ever believes your child is at risk of serious harm, that is always shared with you (unless it would put them at further harm).

Question 38

How is my personal data kept secure?

Accepted Answer

Sessions happen over an encrypted video platform, and notes are stored securely in line with UK GDPR. We never sell or share your information with third parties for marketing.

Question 39

How is my child kept safe during online sessions?

Accepted Answer

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. As the parent or carer, you are your child's main point of contact for their day-to-day safety, so if a therapist feels something needs acting on, they will work with you to make sure it happens. A therapist would only raise a concern with services such as local children's services without telling you first in the rare situation where informing you could put your child at greater risk.

Question 40

Do you provide diagnoses or medical services?

Accepted Answer

No. Finding Therapy is not a medical service and is not linked to the NHS. We do not offer diagnoses, medical reports, prescriptions, or formal assessments, such as for autism (ASC) or ADHD. If your child needs an assessment or medical support, your GP is the right starting point.

Frequently asked questions

About Finding Therapy

Access & Inclusivity

Admin & Billing

Complaints & Ending Therapy

Getting Started

Parents & Involvement

Privacy & Confidentiality

Sessions & Practicalities