Counselling Children and Young People
Before training to be a counsellor, I worked for over fifteen years as a teacher in mainstream secondary schools so have extensive experience of working educationally with young people. My role relied a lot on the afffinity I had in relating to young people. As a counsellor I am skilled at providing a warm, supportive and encouraging space in which children and young people can feel safe enough to let me into their world and explore whatever is troubling them and discover what they can do to help themselves. I have completed further specialist training in counselling children and young people and also have a lot of experience counselling 6-20 year olds in schools and colleges in the local area. I am currently employed as a counsellor at King's College in Taunton.
How can counselling help?
Counselling provides emotional support in a confidential and secure setting and having a private space in which to be heard and deeply understood without being judged or criticised can bring enormous relief and encourage self-knowledge and self-determination.
Recent research adds to the growing evidence of the positive impact counselling has on teenagers' behaviour, relationships, readiness to learn and general well being. Counselling can help children and young people get in touch with, express and manage difficult thoughts and emotions in a more positive way. It can help children and young people to develop successful ways of coping and provides an opportunity to develop a new understanding of themselves, building resilience. Counselling can also help children and young people improve their communication in relationships. It can help them to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses and cultivate a more confident and positive attitude to life.
I believe passionately in every one's capacity to reach their full potential and my counselling approach reflects this as I offer acceptance, honesty and challenge where appropriate.
I have experience working in the following areas:
- Anxiety
- Family Problems
- Relationships
- Bereavement and Loss
- Depression
- Anger
- Self-Harm
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Low Self-Esteem
- Eating Disorders
- Bullying
- School Pressures
- Separation Issues
- Exam Stress
My approach is flexible and as well as talking we can work creatively together using art materials, sand tray, miniatures, buttons, songs and puppets. Our work together is regularly reviewed to ensure that the young person is getting the most out of counselling.
I am fully insured and hold a current Enhanced DBS Certificate.