Young People

Being a teenager can be exciting, challenging and sometimes overwhelming. Young people are navigating changes in their bodies, emotions, relationships, identity and growing independence, while also managing the expectations of family, school and peers.

Counselling provides a space where young people can talk openly, feel heard and make sense of what they are experiencing. My approach is respectful, age-appropriate and collaborative, recognising that young people communicate and engage in different ways. I work alongside them, supporting them to develop self-awareness, confidence and their own ways of navigating challenges.

I have supported young people experiencing concerns including self-esteem, anxiety and stress, school pressures, family and relationship difficulties, bullying, non-suicidal self-harm, neurodiversity, identity and life transitions.

Revamp. Revise. Restore.

A space to explore what is happening, find your voice and discover ways forward that feel right for you.

Young people bring their own strengths, experiences and ways of making sense of the world. Sometimes these are enough to navigate life's challenges; at other times, additional support can help them understand what is happening and find ways forward.

My work with young people draws on a range of evidence-informed approaches and practical counselling skills, adapted to their age, personality, communication style and individual needs. Depending on what is helpful, this may include creative and symbolic approaches, behavioural and cognitive strategies, psychoeducation and mindfulness.

I also use practical strategies to support young people experiencing non-suicidal self-harm, including the APEX model developed by Diane Clare. The focus is on building understanding, developing alternatives and strengthening the young person's own resources and ability to cope.

My aim is not to tell a young person how they should think or feel, but to provide a space where they can explore, make sense of their experiences and develop their own ways of moving forward.

Children don't always have the words to explain what they are feeling or experiencing. Counselling with children therefore looks different from counselling with adults. Play, creativity, drawing, stories, metaphor and other age-appropriate activities can provide ways for children to communicate, explore their experiences and make sense of difficult feelings.

My approach is child-centred and developmentally appropriate, while recognising that parents and caregivers are an important part of a child's world. Together, we consider what the child needs, what parents hope to achieve and what will best support the child's wellbeing and development.

At the heart of my work is helping children to understand and express their emotions, develop confidence and resilience, recognise their strengths, navigate challenges and relationships, and develop ways of responding that support them at home, at school and in their wider world.

Most importantly, I want children to feel that counselling is a place where they are listened to, respected and able to be themselves.