What is individual counselling?

Talking and listening

Counselling at Youth Talk is talking and listening so that you can make sense of what’s happening. There is no set agenda because you are an individual. Together you will work on understanding how events, thoughts, feelings and your journey in life has shaped you. This will give you the means to recognise anxieties, fears and assumptions that can cloud your decision making.

What we do at Youth Talk

At Youth Talk we specialise in something called psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how your current feelings and behaviour are shaped by your past experiences and your unconscious mind and impulses. It can help you understand what you’re feeling now, why you behave in a certain way and how this affects your life and relationships. Psychodynamic therapy can help with many different problems, including anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders and addictions. Our clients often can find that their life improves once the emotional knots are worked out and relationships, friendships and everyday life can then become more fulfilling to them.

Our counsellors and clinical admin team are all very experienced and experts in working with young people. We never judge and do not give advice or tell you how to act but believe that understanding yourself will put you in charge of your choices and actions. Everything we do is confidential.

Is this the same as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

Psychodynamic therapy is different to CBT. A CBT counsellor helps you develop strategies to challenge unhelpful beliefs and anxieties. Relaxation techniques are often taught before you are expected to put things into practice. CBT therapists are more like a personal trainer, helping you to try things out and report back. You will have homework aimed at changing unhelpful beliefs and a course of gradual exposure to things that have made you anxious. CBT needs high levels of motivation and relies on you practicing the techniques you will be taught. We do not offer CBT at Youth Talk.

Whatever’s happening, we’re listening

You can come to Youth Talk with any worries or concerns. These may include:

Family problems
Anxiety or depression
Feeling lonely and misunderstood
Low mood, low self esteem
Racism, sexism or bullying
Abuse

Lack of confidence
Loss and grief
Worries about food, weight, sex, drugs or alcohol
Any other worries that might be affecting you

Our service is always free, always in confidence, always without being judged. Talk to us today.

How can counselling help me?

Everyone is unique. Sometimes, just talking confidentially without being judged can be a big help. Others find it helps them understand a problem or worry and deal with difficult situations in a more positive way.

How does counselling work?

You’ll talk to your counsellor about some of the things that have been going on in your life. When you talk about things that have happened, you’ll start to see how they might be making you feel and behave. You might not even realise they were affecting you. That’s how talking can help. Your counsellor can help you find different ways to deal with how you feel. This can help you feel better now and in the future.

Everything is confidential

We provide a safe space to talk, in total confidence whatever is on your mind. You don’t need anyone’s permission to talk to us and every conversation is kept private. We pride ourselves on keeping things confidential – it is fundamental to how we work.