Many young people are struggling with their feelings. They might be having problems with friends, family or school, they might be anxious, depressed, angry or scared and need to talk to someone, but find it difficult to talk to people they know. Counselling can help them talk things through, support them without making them feel judged, and in confidence (unless​ they disclose that their personal safety is at risk). 

How counselling can help young people

Talking to a Counsellor can help you to:

• become more resilient
  
• recognise your strengths
  
• understand yourself and others better, and
  
• feel better about yourself.
  

You might be experiencing:

• problems at school (bullying, friendships, relationships)
  
• issues with your parents (arguments, criticism, stress)
  
• need to self-harm (unable to stop)
  
• addiction/s (drugs, alcohol, Internet, gaming, gambling)
  
• bereavement (loss of the loved one, divorce)
  
• suicidal thoughts
  
• confusion over who you are (identity issues)
  
• excessive worry (about exams, future performance)
  
• feeling moody for no reason (feeling low, lack of confidence), or
  
• generally not feeling like yourself
  

Counselling lets you talk about how you feel or what is bothering you, separate from home life, family, friends or school. It can help young people deal with issues and events and the effects they are having on their mental wellbeing. Counselling could be recommended for young people who are basically healthy but who are struggling with a mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bereavement; bullying, anger, relationships, low self-esteem, and self-harm. The counsellor will help explore the problem, the symptoms and strategies for coping. 

Counselling can help you get back to enjoying your life again. 

You can expect to be supported without criticism or judgement. You might want to talk about your experiences and try to make sense of them. It's a safe space in which you can express your difficult feelings and you can learn to manage them in a helpful way.

What you say in counselling is confidential, unless I am worried for your safety.

Many of my young clients tell me that they feel happier after counselling and are better able to deal with their problems. In some cases, it helped them to concentrate better at school/college, or get on better with their family and their friends.

• North London Hospice
  
• Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead
  
• Place2Be
  
• Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  
• Childline
  
• Bea Counselling