COUNSELLING FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

If you are a child/young person reading this, it's likely that you've been feeling a bit lost, maybe not knowing where to turn.

As a secondary school and sixth form school counsellor, I'm more than aware of the challenges young people face today ... and I believe that I can help you make sense of whatever it is you are going through.

Here are just a few of the areas I have worked in: anxiety, family-related problems, school-related stress, self-harm, low self-esteem, suicide ideation, bullying, trauma and loss. 

I am a person-centred counsellor which means I believe that YOU are the biggest expert in YOU. Therefore, you are the 'boss' in our sessions and you lead the way! 

I also believe however that we're all unique individuals and have different needs at different times, so I have a toolkit of different therapeutic strategies that I can use if that is how you would like to work.

In my opinion though, one of the most important components of successful therapy is the relationship between you as the client, and me as the counsellor.  To that end: 

I will not judge you.

I will try to make you feel safe.

I will try to make you feel comfortable.

I will hear everything you say.

All of that is easy to say though, and it really is more about what you feel. So that is why, alongside offering your parent/guardian a free initial 20 minute consultation, I offer the same to the child/young person so you can decide if we're the right fit!

As parents we want the best for our children but it can be worrying to know how best to help when a child is struggling.

Even when parents are trying their hardest to help they can feel stuck, like they're getting nowhere or even making things worse.

If this is you, please don't feel like you are alone. As a secondary school and sixth form college counsellor I can assure you ... 

you are not!

With over 20 years experience working with children/young people in schools, social care and the third sector I can work together with your child to help them explore their often complex but always unique feelings and emotions. The aim being to understand more about themselves, whilst building resilience and healthy coping strategies.

If the above resonates with you, please don't hesitate to contact me for a free 20 minute, initial consultation.  During this time, we can discuss your child's' needs and details of the 3-way counselling contract between the counsellor, parent and child/young person.

It is always important to note that for counselling sessions to be effective, it is imperative that the child/young person consents to the therapy and for them to trust me as their counsellor. As such, I also offer a free 20 minute initial consultation with the child/young person to discuss the boundaries of confidentiality but also to see if they feel that we're the right fit.