FOR PARENTS
For over 28 years, we have offered young people a
safe space to talk
We’re a local charity providing free, confidential counselling to 13-25 year olds in and around St Albans, Harpenden and surrounding areas.
We start by listening
Counselling is one of the most effective forms of talking therapy, giving young people a safe space to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours with a trained professional. Through open conversation, we help them make sense of difficult experiences and understand the impact these may be having on their lives.
We specialise in psychotherapy – a longer-term, in-depth form of therapy.
It looks beyond immediate challenges to explore past experiences and unconscious thoughts, helping young people understand how these shape the way they feel and act today.
Psychotherapy can support a wide range of issues, including:
• Low mood, depression and anxiety
• Trauma
• Family problems
• Relationship difficulties
• Gender identity
• Loss and grief
A trusted, professional service
Youth Talk is a highly respected service, delivered by experienced and qualified professional counsellors.
We are trusted by health professionals across the district, with many GPs actively encouraging young people to access our support.
Our counsellors are fully qualified professionals - not volunteers - with specialist experience in working with young people.
All our team are registered with nationally recognised professional bodies, such as the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) or the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). They brings a breadth of experience from sectors including education, healthcare and social services, as well as specialist work with young people.
We are committed to working in line with the ethical framework and professional standards set by the BACP.
Confidentiality is at the heart of everything we do
We know that trust is essential for young people to feel safe and supported. That’s why everything shared in counselling remains private.
This means we are unable to discuss a young person’s sessions with anyone else – ensuring they have a space that is truly their own.
What if a young person is at risk of harm?
How can you help?
As a parent or carer, it can be incredibly hard to watch your child struggle with the pressures of growing up. You may not always understand what they’re going through, or what they’re thinking and feeling. And when they don’t want to talk, it’s easy to feel shut out or alone.
Some young people also choose not to share that they are accessing counselling – and that’s okay. Even so, your support remains incredibly important.
Your role matters
Family and friends can play a vital role in helping young people navigate difficult times. While you may not have all the answers, there are simple, powerful ways you can support them:
- Download our Supporting a young person fact sheet
Understanding confidentiality
Our service is strictly confidential between the young person and their counsellor.
We understand this can be difficult, especially when you’re worried. However, confidentiality is essential for building trust and allowing counselling to be effective.
For this reason:
If you need support yourself, our team can guide you towards other services that may be helpful.
If you're concerned
If your child shares something that worries or alarms you, it’s important to seek support.
You might consider speaking with:
Additional support for parents and carers is also available through Nessie in Education.
We are a charity
We rely totally on the generosity of our community to keep our doors open for young people who need us.
If you, or someone you know, could support us – whether through a donation or fundraising – you’ll be helping us provide life-changing support to more young people.
Please get in touch or download our fundraising pack to find out how you can help.