Young People
Counselling
What is Counselling?
Sometimes we all have problems that worry us and it’s not always easy to talk to someone close to us. A counsellor is someone you can talk to in a different way, someone who will listen to you very carefully, who will not judge you or tell you what to do.
Counselling is about helping you to work things out for yourself, making decisions and choices and helping you to look at things differently. It can help you to feel better about yourself. Think of a confusing jigsaw when all the pieces are difficult to fit together.
Talking about a problem in counselling is like sorting out all the pieces so we can begin to build a picture that makes more sense to us.
A counselling session is time and space for you and nobody else. It is entirely voluntary; no-one can make you go.
What Kind of Things Could I Talk About in Counselling?
Basically, whatever matters to you or whatever is worrying you. Here are some examples of things other young people have talked about:
• Feeling depressed/anxious
• Making friends/keeping friends
• Chaos at home
• Feeling angry and don’t know why
• Bullying
• Having a tough time
• Parents splitting up
• Death of someone special
• Confused feelings about who I am
• Wanting to hurt myself or others
Confidentiality
What you talk about with us is confidential. That means it’s between you and your counsellor. It’s your time and your space to be with someone who is there for you and nobody else.
There is one exception to this: if you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, the counsellor may need to talk to someone else to help keep you safe. However, the counsellor would try to talk with you about this first.
Appointments & Cancellations
Appointments are free of charge. Sessions are currently held over the telephone or via the Zoom online meeting platform. It is unlikely we will be offering face-to-face sessions until 2021. If you decide counselling is for you at your first appointment, the counsellor will agree a regular time each week for you to meet.
If you have made an appointment with your counsellor he or she will be there to meet you. If you have to cancel please let the counsellor know by telephoning 01738 631639. You may need to leave them a message if they are not there.
Supported by the STV Children’s Appeal