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A safe place to talk, feel understood and develop a way forward.

Growing up can be difficult and bring many different pressures. A young person may be struggling with difficult emotions, changes at home, problems at school or worries that feel hard to explain. They may not always feel able to speak openly with the people closest to them, even when they have loving and supportive relationships.

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Counselling offers a young person a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where they can talk about what is happening, begin to understand their feelings and develop healthier ways of coping.

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I offer face-to-face counselling from my private practice in Maghull, Sefton, as well as online counselling where this is suitable for the young person.

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Who Can I Support

 

I currently offer counselling to young people aged 11–17 who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional difficulties.

These may include:

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• Anxiety, excessive worry or feeling overwhelmed

• Low mood or reduced motivation

• Grief, bereavement and other experiences of loss

• Low self-esteem or lack of confidence

• School-related stress and examination pressure

• Friendship difficulties, bullying or feeling left out

• Family changes, separation or divorce

• Difficulty understanding or managing emotions

• Anger, frustration or irritability

• Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes

• People-pleasing and difficulty expressing personal needs

• Social anxiety or difficulty feeling comfortable around others

• Worrying or intrusive thoughts

• Life transitions and difficulty adjusting to change

• Questions around identity, belonging or sense of self

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An initial consultation will help us consider whether the support I offer is appropriate for the young person’s needs. If a young person requires a more specialist or intensive mental health service, I will discuss this sensitively and help the family consider the most appropriate next steps.

 

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What a Counselling Session is like

 

My approach is warm, compassionate and centred around the individual young person. I believe that every young person deserves to feel heard, understood and respected.

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Counselling will move at a pace that feels comfortable for them. There is no expectation that they must immediately talk about difficult experiences or answer questions they are not ready to answer.

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Depending on their age, personality and preferences, sessions may involve talking, creative activities, visual resources or practical exercises. I work from a Person-Centred foundation and can also introduce age-appropriate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy tools to help a young person understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions and behaviour.

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The young person’s voice remains at the centre of my work at all times. We will work together in a way that feels comfortable and supportive, with the young person involved in shaping their sessions. Counselling is a collaborative process rather than a lesson, and there are no right or wrong answers.

 

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Information for Young People

 

Coming to counselling for the first time can feel strange or worrying, particularly if you do not know what to expect.

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Counselling gives you a private space to talk about anything that is troubling you. You will not be judged, told how you should feel or forced to talk about something before you are ready.

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Some people like to talk, while others find it easier to use activities, pictures or practical exercises. We can find a way of working that feels most comfortable for you.

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You can ask questions, tell me if something is not helping and have a say in how we use our time together. The sessions are your space, and your feelings and opinions matter.

 

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Information for Parents and Carers

 

It can be difficult to see your child struggling and not know how best to help them. Seeking counselling is a positive step towards providing additional support.

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I understand that choosing a counsellor to support your child is an important decision and requires a great deal of trust. To offer some reassurance, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist and counselling supervisor, an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an approved Bupa therapist. I also hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate and am happy to provide parents or carers with evidence of this, alongside relevant professional registration and qualification documents, upon request. I provide a calm, professional and supportive environment where your child will be listened to and treated with care and respect.

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Before counselling begins, we will discuss your concerns, the young person’s needs and whether I am the appropriate counsellor to support them. We will also discuss practical arrangements, confidentiality, consent and how parents or carers will be involved.

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​Counselling works best when a young person feels that the sessions are genuinely their space. For this reason, I will not usually provide details about what is discussed within sessions. Appropriate communication may take place regarding general progress, practical matters or concerns about the young person’s safety. However, if I become concerned that the young person or someone else may be at risk of serious harm, I may need to share relevant information with a parent, carer or another appropriate professional to help keep someone safe.

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Confidentiality and Safeguarding

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What a young person shares during counselling will normally remain confidential. This privacy is important because it allows them to speak openly and develop a trusting therapeutic relationship.

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However, confidentiality has limits. If I become concerned that the young person or someone else may be at risk of serious harm, I may need to share relevant information with a parent, carer or another appropriate professional.

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Wherever it is safe and possible to do so, I will explain this to the young person first and involve them in decisions about what information needs to be shared. I will disclose only the information necessary to help keep someone safe.

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I will clearly explain confidentiality and its safeguarding limits to both the young person and their parent or carer before counselling begins.

 

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Consent and the Young Person’s Agreement

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Consent arrangements will be discussed individually and will take into account the young person’s age, understanding, and circumstances.

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A parent or carer with parental responsibility will normally provide consent for a younger client. However, the young person’s own agreement is equally important.

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I will not begin or continue counselling if a young person does not want to take part. They will be included in decisions about their counselling and given the opportunity to ask questions or express any concerns.

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Older young people may be able to consent to counselling themselves, depending upon their age, understanding and individual circumstances. We can discuss this during the initial enquiry.

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My CYP Training and Professional Experience

 

I am an experienced BACP-accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with an established private practice supporting clients with a wide range of emotional difficulties.

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Alongside my existing professional qualifications and experience, I have completed the taught element of my Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. I am now completing the practical element of the qualification, which requires me to undertake 60 hours of supervised counselling practice with young people aged 11–17.

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The two reduced-fee counselling places currently available will contribute towards these required practice hours. My work with young people will be supported by specialist clinical supervision outside of the young person’s session and undertaken in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and the requirements of my CYP training.

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Reduced-Fee Counselling Places

 

I currently have two reduced-fee counselling places available for young people aged 11–17.

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• £40 per 50-minute session

• Face-to-face sessions in Maghull, Sefton

• Online sessions are also available where appropriate

• Tuesday or Thursday evenings

• Appointments available at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm

• A 7pm appointment may be available for an older young person

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Sessions will usually take place weekly initially to provide consistency and allow a trusting therapeutic relationship to develop.

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I also offer a free 20-minute initial consultation so that we can briefly discuss the young person’s needs, consider whether I am the right counsellor for them and explain what happens next.

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Make an Enquiry

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If you are a parent or carer and would like to enquire about one of the two available counselling places, please get in touch with me below.

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We can arrange a confidential initial conversation to discuss what your young person is experiencing and whether my support may be suitable.