For Teens

The teenage years can feel like a journey.

path-9261477_1280 — It can be straight forward…

direction-6298712_1280 — …or complicated…

party-people-1644802_1280 — …moments of complete joy…

effort ball — …and difficulties to overcome…

mountain-7162163_1280 — …sometimes it can just all feel too big.

crowd-sq-1028 — …moments of complete joy…

It can be exhausting, confusing, messy.

Sometimes you need someone to help you find the way forward.

Everyone’s life story is unique.

I understand you may have had very different experiences from me which will shape who you are and how others may see you.

Who knows how you’re really feeling?

I won’t judge you, I just want to get to know you and how you understand the world.

This is what compassion looks like.

Everyone deserves compassion.

Do you have a question?

Below are questions most teenagers ask.
Click on a question to see my answer.

What happens at counselling?

Mainly we’ll talk. About you, your life and whatever’s making it difficult right now. Sometimes our problems can feel so big we can’t see past them. I can help you work out what your options are and understand more about yourself and why you feel the way you do. We can also play games, do art work, write poems or tell stories if that’s something you’re interested in.

What if I don’t like you?

That’s ok. It’s really important you feel comfortable with me, so if there’s anything you don’t like about the sessions, please talk to me or your parents about it. There may be something simple we can change so you feel more comfortable, or it may be that I’m not the right counsellor for you. The important thing is that we talk about it – I won’t make you feel bad if you say you want to leave.

Can I talk about anything with you?

Yes. This is your time and you can spend it talking about whatever’s on your mind. Even really big, sad, shocking, or upsetting things. If you’re strong enough to say it, I’ll be strong enough to hear it.

Will you tell my parents what we talk about?

I will not tell your parents what we talk about in sessions, with some important exceptions. It is my duty to keep you safe, and so if you tell me anything which makes me feel you’re not safe, either from yourself or someone else, I will have to talk to someone about the best way to keep you safe. This may be your parents, it may be someone else, but I will always try to talk to you before I do this.

What if I find it difficult to talk?

I understand that you might find it difficult to talk about some stuff, and you also might not like awkward silences, so we can find things to do while we talk to make it feel more comfortable for you.

Will it always be difficult?

No, not necessarily. We can play games to get to know each other and we may laugh a lot too. There may be some difficult things to talk about, but it won’t be like that the whole time.