Counselling for young people.

Counselling in Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford, Elm Park, Gidea park.  hfcounselling.co.uk

Counselling can require a different approach for young people.  Research has shown that some teenagers do not like the long silences in counselling sessions.  They (and some adults) can find sitting down face to face with a therapist a very tense situation and can find it hard to engage  with the process.  

It is a high priority for a strong, genuine and trusting relationship to be established as a foundation for effective therapy to stand on.  This can be achieved by starting initial sessions in a number of ways: listening to music, art, journaling, video games, walking, sport or any interest that the teenager has. Taking part in an activity which takes some focus directly off the young person so they can choose to gradually engage with the therapist.

It is also of great importance to allow the client to have some degree of control within sessions.  This can be done by the therapist supporting the young person and facilitating a choice of what and when they want to talk about sensitive subjects and collaborate to find what works best for them.

Counselling young people can be different to adults as they are in the process of developing emotional/intellectual maturity.  My approach is to build the therapeutic alliance through activity, integrate therapeutic work into conversation (at initial stage) and add elements of psycho education so that the client can make sense of emotions/feelings and use this knowledge to better navigate their life.

Please make contact for a free 20 minute call.

I’m an integrative Counsellor serving the areas of Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford, Elm Park and Gidea Park.  Available face to face, online, phone and park walk sessions