How Youth Talk help transform lives
Georgia (not her real name), left school without the GCSE’s needed to get work.
This is the story of a young person – who came to Youth Talk for help after a long history struggling with her mental health, feeling sad and unhappy.
Her counsellor helped her understand her emotions, transforming her outlook on life. Georgia now looks forward with a sense of optimism and hope.
Georgia’s Background
Georgia came to Youth Talk aged 19 having left school without the GCSEs needed to get work. She had been out of education and unemployed and did not know what she wanted from her counsellor other than someone in whom she could confide about her experiences of life so far. She knew that she didn’t want to continue feeling as miserable and angry as she did.
Georgia’s early life experiences had been traumatic. She had suffered emotional abuse and neglect daily from her mother which seemed to go unnoticed, and this filled her with rage and misery. Mum was frequently absent, and, from a young age, Georgia unwillingly found herself housekeeper and cook for her dad and sibling.
Georgia’s first session with Youth Talk
Georgia recounted her life story easily – she had done this many times before – yet in a detached kind of way. She rarely made eye contact, her mistrust of others, her rage and a deep well of misery was all-consuming for her and plain to see.
Slowly, Georgia began to trust the confidentiality and security of the counselling space. Over time she was able to give a voice to the abused and neglected little girl inside herself and describe the injustices she had endured. In time, Georgia’s mistrust of others lessened and her misery and rage shifted into something more bearable as we explored and understood how her life had been. She discovered her determination to want to make a worthwhile and successful life for herself.
Looking to the future
Despite having no academic support, Georgia demonstrated remarkable resilience. She studied and passed two crucial exams and persevered to secure a place on a foundation degree course. By the time her counselling at Youth Talk came to an end, Georgia had transformed her outlook on life. While challenges remained, her early traumatic experiences no longer defined her. Today, Georgia faces the future with optimism and a newfound smile.
Every £50 donation will help provide a free counselling session.
Help transform more local young lives like Georgia and please donate to Youth Talk today.
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