Integrative counselling and psychotherapy for adolescents (11-18 years)

 

My mantra - I see you, I hear you, I understand, I care!

 

This section is for adolescents. Parents/guardians - Please read the 'Frequently asked questions' for more information below :)

 

Hi, how are you doing? I'm guessing you're finding life overwhelming / painful / stressful / or whatever word fits for you right now and that's why you and your parent/guardian are looking at my website. Firstly, I'm so sorry. Life is hard and terrible things do happen sometimes. I want you to know there is hope. Life can get better and you can feel happy again. 

Everyone is unique and has different challenges, so I chose training that reflects this. I work integratively, which means that I will adapt the therapy to suit you - what you naturally find most comfortable and what we think will be most helpful. So some sessions we will talk, draw, make mind-maps, share music, talk to your inner child... there are endless possibilities and don't worry - I can't draw either - no skill is required :) For those working with me online, we can even text each other - whatever helps!

So what is therapy and how can it help?

Therapy is a safe space to come each week and talk in private with a trained professional about any difficulties you may be experiencing. Therapy can help you to feel less overwhelmed, think differently about things, find clarity, offer coping skills and support. Therapy can help people to feel better by 'getting out' distressing feelings. This can be done in lots of different ways such as through talking, writing, drawing or other creative methods. 

Most importantly, therapists will seek to understand you and see things from your perspective. I believe everyone deserves to be heard, cared about, believed in, and understood.

This is what I hope to offer to the young people I work with:

  • I'll listen, really listen, and validate your experience and emotions.
  • I'll help you to make sense of your experiences. 
  • I'll help you understand what you are feeling and either 'get it out' or 'reign it in', again, whatever you need.
  • I'll help you understand symptoms you may be experiencing and offer coping strategies.
  • I'll help you feel more confident about who you are, help you to take ownership of your life and to lead your life in the way that feels right to you.
  • I'll be with you as you remember painful experiences. I'll help carry your pain and share your burdens.
  • I'll help you process trauma so it's not stuck in your brain and put it back where your long-term memories belong.
  • I'll be myself so you know that it's safe to be yourself and that all of you is not only accepted but welcomed.

 

Therapy isn't a magic wand, it isn't a quick fix, but it can change things and make things feel better, much better!

 

I look forward to hearing from you, to getting to know you and to sharing your journey with you for a while x

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions will my teen need?

I recommend that the minimum number of sessions is 10 but obviously this is very individual and very much depends on the young person's history and presenting problem. Adolescents with severe or multiple traumas in their life will ideally have therapy for much longer. 10 sessions may be enough for young people with one specific incident affecting their lives.

How long do sessions last?

Sessions last 45 minutes and I stick to this. This provides stability and consistency for the teen and it gives me time to prepare for each client.

How much does it cost?

How much does it cost?

Therapy sessions cost £60 each. Payments are due on the 1st of each month in advance of the sessions. Monthly invoices will be emailed.

Will I get to talk to the therapist about my teen?

The age of your teen, and their personal preference, will determine how closely we will work together. We will meet before the sessions begin for 60 minutes and then if it's deemed appropriate, every 5 weeks for 45 minutes. In these meetings we will not be discussing what takes place in your teen's therapy sessions.

The first meeting will be a chance to go through your referral form and consent form, to explain how therapy can help, and answer any questions you may have. At the 5-weekly sessions you can let me know how your child is doing outside of the sessions and I can offer parenting support. If meeting with you puts a strain on my therapeutic relatinship with your teen, then we will not have the regular parent meetings.

Will the therapist tell me what my adolescent talks about in the sessions?

No. The content of the sessions is confidential, just as therapy would be for an adult. Sometimes young people will ask me to share things with you and so I will do this with their permission.

I know this can be difficult for parents but the young person must feel safe to talk freely for the therapy to be beneficial.

The only exceptions to this are when there are safeguarding concerns and I need to make a referral to other professionals. I will explain this in person at our first parent consultation.

What if my teen is ill and misses a session?

I will do my best to offer another day/time that week but unfortunately I cannot promise to make up for missed sessions. If your teen has a significant illness, or another unforeseen event happens, we can stop the sessions and another teen will take your child’s place. They will go to the top of the waiting list and once they are recovered they can begin again.

What if I have paid and my teen refuses to attend?

It is really important that young people have the opportunity to consent to their own therapy and so I discuss this with them in our first session together. This means that from the outset, they have chosen to engage in therapy and makes this situation very unlikely. 

It is important that no teens feel forced to come. 

It is really important that you understand that a teen resisting coming can be part of the process. And the more you push them the more they will resist.

I can offer a texting session, or cameras off session, whatever makes it possible for your teen to engage with me.

Please never say "You have to go because this is costing me x amount of money". 

If attendance becomes an issue, we can discuss this together. This has never happened yet as I form good relationships with them and teens generally like being with someone who genuinely cares about them.

 

What if the therapist is ill?

If I am too ill to run the session I will give you as much notice as I can. We will then decide together if it is possible to move the session to another day, delay the sessions by a week, or give you a refund. You will not pay for missed sessions that are my fault.

Finally - we must have an ending session.

Regardless of how many sessions your teen has, they must have an ending session. Usually this is planned and we count down the weeks together. Endings can be difficult, especially for adolescents who've already experienced loss. Therefore, an ending session is something that I insist on for every young person.

Young people come to see me for a whole variety of reasons. Below are some examples of the many things I can offer support with:

Addictions 

Anger

Anxiety

Attachment difficulties

Bereavement

Depression

Domestic violence

Eating disorders

Family relations

 

LGBTQ+ diversity

Looked after children

Neurodiversity

Perfectionism

Self harm

Stress

School refusal

Substance mis-use

Suicide ideation

Young carers