Information for Children and Young people

Life can be difficult, and children growing up or young people transiting to adult hood can feel under lots of different pressures. Having someone you can talk to who will really listen to you can often help us to feel better. At times, everyone feels worried or has problems that may be hard to talk about with the people who they are closest to. You may worry about whether they will understand, whether you can trust them, whether they will blame you, or ignore your feelings. That is when you may think about accessing Counselling.

Why is Counselling different to talking to someone I already know?

I won’t blame or judge you.

I won’t tell you what to do.

I am there for you - whatever the problem.

I am good at listening carefully.

I can see you outside of school time.

I can help you to manage your difficulties in a way which suits you.

I can give you the time and space you need.

I have lots of experience working with children and young people.

I can get you more help and information if you need it.

Will other people be told what I say during my sessions?

Our sessions are confidential. This means that I won’t tell your parents or other people about you or what you choose to share with me without your permission. If I think that you, or someone else, may be at significant risk of harm, I may need to get help from others to keep you safe. We will talk about this together to find the best way forward for you ensuring that you are kept safe.

 What kind of things can I talk about in Counselling?

Everything is welcome in Counselling. You can talk about whatever is on your mind, problems, decisions, worries/anxiety, and changes. It could be lots of different things - making friends and relationships, parents separating, losing your temper and getting into trouble at home or at school, teasing and bullying, losing someone special, mixed-up feelings, health worries, exams and coursework. All these things can affect how you feel and how you behave. Talking about your worries and problems can be the start of working through them together, helping you to become happier and less worried.

How does it work?

Accessing Counselling may be your idea, your parents idea or someone else that cares about you may suggest it. You don't have to decide straight away. Firstly, you can meet me just to ask questions and find out more. Counselling is voluntary. It's your choice, and whatever you decide is OK. If you decide that Counselling is something that you want to do after our first session, you will be offered appointments for regular sessions. Our Counselling space is private and you won’t be disturbed during our time together. We will review our work together regularly and when the time if right for you we will work towards bringing our Counselling sessions to an end at a pace and time that you feel happy with. Once our work together has come to an end you can decide to return to Counselling in the future if this is a support that you would like to access again.