Welcome to CHUMS Direct
CHUMS Direct provides online mental health support for children, young adults and families (5-18 years old).
If your child needs support with worry and anxiety, low mood, bereavement, emotional regulation, self-esteem or other mental health issues, you’ve come to the right place. We offer online one-to-one support and group workshops, providing a safe space where your child’s emotional wellbeing can thrive.
By choosing CHUMS Direct, your family will benefit from working with qualified therapists within an organisation with decades of experience in supporting children, young people and families.
How we support you:
Book your workshop or assessment now:
It’s easy to book your assessment or workshop now. Click on the button to select either Holistic Assessment and Consultations (1:1) or Workshops.
Our Team
All of the assessments, 1:1 therapeutic support sessions and workshops available via CHUMS Direct are delivered by experienced members of the team at CHUMS CIC.
Debbie Dashwood
Member of BACP
Alex Ballard
Accredited by
Jemma Poulton
Member of BACP
Nicky Whatling
Member of BACP
Beth Robson
Member of BACP
Something isn’t quite right,
and that’s okay
When your child is struggling emotionally, early support can make a real difference
It’s common for children and young people to experience times of distress or heightened emotions at different points in their lives. Noticing changes doesn’t mean something is “wrong” — it means you care.
You don’t need a diagnosis or to be at crisis point to seek support.
If your child is:
- Finding it hard to manage emotions
- Feeling anxious, withdrawn or overwhelmed
- Has low confidence or resilience
Seeking help early is a positive step. You are not alone.
Signs and Symptoms to look out for
You may notice some of the following. This is not an exhaustive list and there can be a lot of overlap
Avoiding school or activities
Wanting lots of reassurance
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Tummy ache or headache
Feeling worried more frequently
May get angry when you ask them to do something
Less interest or engagement in hobbies or friends /
Reduction in activity including school
Tiredness or low energy
Changes in sleep or eating
Tearfulness / Irritability
Seem to feel sad without a reason
They may feel hopeless
Clinginess
Tearfulness
Anger
Withdrawal or quietness
Worries about dying
Difficulty concentrating
Big feelings
Crying / snappiness
Sense of overwhelm
Quick to act
Quick mood changes
Difficulty calming down
Reluctance to try new things
Assume they will be bad at an activity
Give up easily
Negative self talk
Desire to please or be perfect
May seem “sensitive”
Difficulty accepting compliments
Delaying starting tasks to blame this for potential “failure”
Associated with anxiety / anger / sadness
Emotional wellbeing support — without waiting lists
CHUMS Direct provides clinical assessment to determine the most appropriate and helpful support. Often attending an on-demand emotional wellbeing workshop is a good place for children and young people to start.
Anyone can attend a workshop – no diagnosis or assessment required – to gain guidance on how to make impactful changes, or help you take an educated next step.
Not everyone wants or needs 1:1 support. One of our assessments will consider your needs and the best next step for your family – whether that’s 1:1 or workshops.
Support is:
- Delivered online
- Led by qualified and experienced child and young people practitioners
- Designed to help children understand emotions and build strategies for coping
CHUMS Direct complements schools, GPs and NHS services — it does not replace them.
