When CAMHS Isn't Enough: Finding Alternative Support for Your Mental Health Journey
- Counselling
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the UK play a vital role in supporting the emotional and psychological needs of young people. However, demand for CAMHS is high, and many families face long waiting lists, strict eligibility criteria, or limited treatment options. For those struggling to access timely and tailored mental health care, it can feel like the system has reached its limit.
At Equinox Counselling in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, we understand these challenges. If CAMHS isn’t providing the support you or your child needs, private counselling can be a powerful and accessible alternative—offering personalised, compassionate care without long delays.
Why CAMHS Might Not Be Enough
While CAMHS is an essential part of the NHS, it isn’t always equipped to meet every individual's unique needs. Some of the common issues families face include:
Long waiting times (often several months or more)
Thresholds for access being too high
Limited session availability
Overwhelmed services due to underfunding
Feeling “dismissed” or not heard
Age cut-offs or transitions to adult mental health services without ongoing support
Alternative Support with Equinox Counselling
At Equinox Counselling, we provide immediate, flexible, and empathetic counselling options for children aged 11+, teenagers, and adults. Whether you're transitioning out of CAMHS or haven’t met the criteria for support, our services are tailored to your mental health journey.
Benefits of choosing Equinox Counselling:
No long waiting lists – appointments often available within a week
One-to-one support with a fully qualified therapist
Online video sessions available across Somerset and the UK
Tailored sessions focused on individual needs, not diagnosis quotas
Support for parents and carers navigating emotional stress and burnout
What We Can Help With
Whether you’re a young person or a parent seeking support, we offer help for:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Low mood and depression
Self-esteem and confidence issues
School and peer relationship struggles
Family or parental separation stress
Social withdrawal or behavioural changes
Grief and loss
Gender identity and emotional exploration
Self-harm and suicidal ideation (non-crisis)
Who Is This For?
This service is ideal if:
You’re waiting for CAMHS and need interim support.
You were discharged from CAMHS but still feel you need help.
You’ve been told you don’t meet the CAMHS threshold.
You’re a parent or carer needing guidance for your child’s emotional wellbeing.
FAQs: CAMHS and Private Counselling
Q: Can I still see a private counsellor while waiting for CAMHS?
A: Absolutely. Many families choose to begin counselling privately while on a CAMHS waiting list to ensure no emotional support is missed.
Q: Is private counselling suitable for teenagers?
A: Yes. At Equinox Counselling, we offer counselling for young people aged 11 and above, tailored to their emotional needs.
Q: Can you provide support after CAMHS discharge?
A: Yes. We regularly work with clients transitioning out of CAMHS to ensure continuity of care and emotional progress.
Local Support in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Located at Badger House, Oldmixon Crescent, Equinox Counselling serves families, young people, and individuals across Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, and surrounding areas including Taunton, Bristol, and Clevedon.
Sessions are available both in person and online, making it easy to access support that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Get the Support You Deserve Today
If you or your child are finding that CAMHS just isn’t enough, don’t wait in silence. Alternative, effective help is available. At Equinox Counselling, Rebecca Pepper—a fully qualified and experienced counsellor—offers compassionate, client-led support when and where you need it.
📍 Based in Weston-super-Mare |
🌐 Serving North Somerset and Beyond
📞 Call: 07850 006745
📧 Email: equinoxcounsellingweston@gmail.com
🌍 Visit: https://www.equinoxcounselling.co.uk
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