Group Counselling

Youth Talk also offer group counselling

Groups are similar to individual counselling in that they provide a space to think about and understand feelings and experiences. The big difference is, in groups, this takes place with other young people who may be experiencing similar difficulties.

About the groups

Youth Talk currently run two groups:

The Talking group is a weekly group that takes place in Harpenden. This confidential group runs weekly throughout the year with breaks during the school holidays. It is a non judgemental and supportive group where you can talk about your feelings in a safe place. The Talking Group offers the opportunity to talk and understand your feelings and experiences better, valuable insight can be gained by listening to each other. Being part of a group can help you feel less alone and provides a space to share things that you may find difficult to talk to family and friends about.

The Creative group takes place in St Albans at Youth Talk. This group is similar to the Talking Group, however it uses both talking and art making to, share and express your struggles and feelings. Skills in art making are not needed to benefit from joining this type of group. Using art making as another way of saying something can be very helpful for those who might find words harder. Like the Talking Group, this group runs weekly during term time and is confidential, you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

Both groups are confidential and group sessions are run by the same two group counsellors each week. Attending a group at Youth Talk can be hugely beneficial for understanding yourself and your difficulties better, to feel more confident and to not feel so alone.

In addition to the above we are also trialling a University Support Group which offers which offers a safe, confidential space for people about to go to University. Running over the summer break it will help you if you have any worries or anxieties about leaving home for University. Find out more here.

“Young people from previous group sessions have fed back that attending group therapy has helped them to feel more confident and to understand themselves and their feelings better, some described how they felt less anxious to be around other young people and helped them to make friendships.”

Sally

Group Counsellor

Group sessions

The groups usually have around 6 members of similar ages, and last for one hour at the same time every week. There are two group counsellors in each group that can be met, either in person, on Zoom or over the phone, to answer any questions before starting the group.

You can stay for 12 weeks or more, this builds a sense of continuity and trust with the others in the group and makes it a safe and confidential space to share your worries and difficulties.
Every person coming to a group is a valuable group member as listening and supporting each other is key. You will find that you are not alone with your problems, and you can say as much or as little as you like.
Each group member can offer support which builds relationships together. This can lead to better understanding of yourself and your worries whilst helping others at the same time.
Some people who have been in the group describe how they “found my voice”.
Some groups are talking groups and some use both words and art materials to help find ways to express yourself. You don’t need to have skills in art to join a creative group.

Talking and Art Group Therapy at Youth Talk

“Our Groups project has kindly been made possible by a wonderful grant from The Harpenden Trust (thank you). We need donations and support from our local community to keep supporting young people. If you know of someone that could support us or fundraise for us, please do contact us.”
David Barker – Chief Executive

This is how our service works:

There are six steps:

Step 1 – You contact Youth Talk

To get access to our service you will need to contact us yourself, as it is an important part of how we work because it keeps you in control. You can either fill in our referral form, send us an email info@youthtalk.org.uk or give us a call on 01727 868684.

Step 2 – Getting an appointment

Our reception team are friendly and very experienced in helping young people, they will contact you following your referral to check any details, explain the process to you and ensure you have information about the service. They will then call and offer you an Initial Consultation meeting with a counsellor as soon as possible (ideally within 2-4 weeks) Depending on your availability this may be much quicker or longer.

Step 3 – Your first meeting (Initial Consultation)

Appointments are 50 mins long and will be with one of our experienced counsellors, this may be face to face or via Zoom. When you meet the counsellor, they will explain more about how we work and answer any initial questions you have. It’s your chance to tell them why you got in touch and what you want to achieve, you could also tell them if you would prefer individual or group therapy. We’ll also explain our data sharing policy (we have to do this) – you can download a copy https://youthtalk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/YT-fair-processing-notice-July-2023.pdf. If you are offered Zoom we ask that you have a private space to do this meeting, if you do not have one or would prefer not to do this at home/work, we may be able to provide a zoom hub room at Youth Talk. If you ask for Group Therapy or have been advised this would be the best support for you, you may be invited in for another meeting to discuss this further.

If you’d like to know what the Youth Talk offices look like – we will soon have a virtual tour here for you to take a look around.

Step 4 – Finding the perfect match

If it is agreed that Youth Talk is the right service for you we will then add you to our waiting list for Individual Counselling or Group Therapy. Currently there is a 3/4 month waiting list for Individual counselling but shorter for group therapy. The more availability you have for counselling the easier it will be to allocate you to a counsellor or group. Please be aware that your counselling for either group or Individual may not be the same counsellor from your first meeting. As soon as we can confirm your first session, we’ll contact you with more details.

Being flexible and having good availability may help you to get a counselling appointment more swiftly.

Step 5 – Starting your group

Your group will take place at the same time and day with the same counsellors every week. During therapy your counsellor will check in with you and together you will review how things are going. If you and your counsellor think it would be good to continue, you can keep meeting at the same time and day each week.

Step 6 – Moving on from Youth Talk

When you and your counsellor feel you are ready you can talk about when and how to finish your counselling with us. We try to never just stop the sessions without talking it through with you first.

What to do in an emergency

Refer yourself to Youth Talk

What about my parents?

Your counselling is confidential between you and Youth Talk. We do not talk to parents/guardians about any of our clients. It may be helpful to let them know you are attending Youth Talk, although this is your decision.

We have a fact sheet for parents/guardians as well as a section for parents on this website. You might like to share it with them – it provides information about what we do, how the counselling works and how they can best help you.

If you would like support from your parents/guardians with arranging appointments only, then please advise the reception team.

We are a charity

We need donations and support form our local community to keep supporting young people. If you know of someone that could support us or fundraise for us, please do contact us.