Expectation around exam/work sucess, covid restrictions, and social media all add to the pressure young people feel on a daily basis. The transition into adulthood has always been difficult, but reports of increasing feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression in young people is a real worry, and one that needs to be dealt with as early as possible.
Young adults deserve to feel confident, resilient and self-assured. This should be the best time of your life, but so many young adults are struggling.
Sometimes anxiety can be directly linked to a specific event, or in other cases overpowering feelings of lack of self worth, seem to come from nowhere.
I have worked with many teenagers and young adults to overcome anxiety, trauma, lack of self worth and depression. Issues don’t disappear until they are processed and healed. Coping strategies, and hiding from negative thoughts, changes who we are ( and not for the better); unresolved issues come back in unsuspecting ways later in life. So dealing with issues early on makes a huge difference.
I really enjoy working with young people. (I so wish I had known this stuff at that age, and been able to rid myself of fears that held me back for decades.) This is a key time of life, where we start to shape our own identity and take steps towards independence, but it can be a confusing time full of conflicting emotions and needs.
If you are 16-25 and are thinking about therapy but don’t know which kind of therapy would suit you, I can offer a variety of different techniques to help you calm the negative voice in your head, get rid of the anxiety and send you out in the world believing in your own worth and potential. I promise you nothing will shock me; I am open minded and non judgmental, and I actually really like and relate to young people. Most importantly everything you tell me is kept in the strictest confidence.
I appreciate that the initial idea of talking to a stranger can feel awkward, so I have developed a 4 session programme which can work specifically on issues of your choosing, or can include variety of tools so you begin to have a better understanding of yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. Often this opens up the conversation which leads to us towards some counselling, and some coaching. Where appropriate, I am also able to offer a variety of very effective techniques such as hypnotherapy and EFT (tapping). Of course it is possible to continue beyond 4 sessions if that is required. In my experience, every young person can benefit from some time reflecting about who you are and what you want, and these sessions are also an opportunity to heal past hurts, fears and anxieties so you can move forward in a healthy way.
The techniques I use appeal, because you can avoid the conventional ‘ talking through feelings’ therapy, if you feel nervous of that. (In fact, you don’t need to tell me what happened if you prefer not too, we can still create change in how you feel) They are forward focussed, and change can be achieved quickly.
If you are, or know of, a young person who would benefit from someone to help, please get in touch. I offer a free 30 minutes call to asses whether we could work well together. I also have a free weekly slot available for someone who is unable to afford paid sessions (maximum 4 sessions per person).
I am able to offer programmes to schools/colleges; working with individuals on a one to one basis, or small group sessions for discussion and healing work.
(With parental consent I also work with children from Year 7 upwards)
