Counselling in Littlehampton, West Sussex and Online
Supporting Young People (11+)
Working therapeutically with young people is something I feel deeply passionate about. I offer counselling for young people aged 11 and over, supporting them through the challenges, changes, and uncertainties of growing up.
Adolescence and early adulthood are powerful, formative stages of life. During these years, young people often explore identity, belonging, relationships, self-worth, and independence, whilst balancing academic pressures, family dynamics, social media, and wider societal expectations. These experiences can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times isolating.
I offer a calm, supportive, and non-judgemental space where young people can talk openly, at their own pace, about what is going on for them. My approach is person-centred and collaborative; this means each young person is met with empathy, respect, and acceptance. Together, we explore thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and life experiences, helping them to build self-awareness, emotional resilience, and self-compassion.
Through this process, young people are gently supported to explore the landscape of their lives, their experiences, emotions, and relationships in the here and now, while also looking towards the future with curiosity and hope. This means creating space for self-acceptance, growth, and discovery, helping young people develop a stronger sense of who they are and who they wish to become.
Experience Supporting Young People
Alongside my counselling training and placement work, I bring over six years of experience working within education, including my role as Pastoral Mentor and Wellbeing Coordinator at St Oscar Romero’s Catholic High School. In this role, I supported students aged 11–16 who were experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, low mood, self-harm concerns, family difficulties, and wider mental health challenges.
This work allowed me to build strong, trusting relationships with young people, creating safe spaces where they could feel heard, understood, and supported. I worked closely with safeguarding leads, teaching staff, parents, and external agencies to ensure each young person received the appropriate care and protection. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the emotional world of young people and the importance of offering safe, ethical, and compassionate support.
Areas I Commonly Support
Young people may come to counselling for many reasons, including:
- Anxiety, stress, and overwhelm
- Low mood or depression
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Identity exploration
- Relationship and friendship difficulties
- Family challenges
- Academic pressure and exam stress
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Self-harm concerns
- Life transitions and uncertainty about the future
Each young person’s experience is unique, and therapy is always tailored to their individual needs, pace, and goals.
My Approach
My practice is grounded in humanistic and person-centred therapy, offering young people a safe, supportive environment where they can explore their experiences without judgement or pressure. I believe that with the right relational support, young people can reconnect with their inner strengths, develop healthier emotional patterns, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
I work ethically and in line with BACP professional standards, engaging in regular clinical supervision, safeguarding training, and ongoing professional development to ensure safe, effective, and reflective practice.
Safeguarding & Confidentiality
Safeguarding is central to my work with young people. I have extensive experience working within safeguarding frameworks in educational and therapeutic settings.
Sessions are confidential, with clear boundaries explained from the outset. In rare circumstances where safety is a concern, I follow safeguarding procedures to ensure the young person’s wellbeing is protected, always working transparently and sensitively.
Working with Parents & Carers
hen working with young people, I value thoughtful and appropriate collaboration with parents and carers, while also respecting the young person’s confidentiality, boundaries, and developing autonomy.
At the heart of the work is helping the young person feel safe, supported, and able to trust the therapeutic relationship. Knowing that their privacy is respected and that confidentiality is taken seriously helps create a space where they can talk openly and honestly.
Clear agreements are established at the start of therapy between myself, the young person, and parents or carers, ensuring everyone understands how the process works, what to expect, and how communication will be managed. This helps to create clarity, trust, and a shared understanding, together supporting the young person’s emotional wellbeing throughout their therapeutic journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Young people seek counselling for many reasons. Some may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, or emotional distress, while others may be struggling with confidence, friendships, family changes, or school pressures. If your child seems overwhelmed, withdrawn, anxious, unhappy, or finding everyday life difficult, counselling can offer a safe and supportive space to talk and reflect on what is going on for them.
No. Young people do not need to have a clear ‘problem’ to begin counselling. Sometimes, they find it hard to pinpoint what it is that just doesn’t feel quite right. Therapy can be helpful for exploring emotions, building confidence, understanding identity, and developing emotional resilience, as well as for working through specific difficulties.
The first session is a gentle opportunity to meet, talk about what has brought them to therapy, and begin building a sense of safety and trust. We move at a pace that feels comfortable, and there is no pressure to share anything before they feel ready. With the agreement of the young person, parents or carers are invited briefly at the beginning of the first session to support introductions and agree communication process.
Confidentiality is taken very seriously and is essential to creating a safe therapeutic space. What your child shares will remain private, except in rare circumstances where there are concerns about their safety or the safety of others. These boundaries are always explained clearly at the start of therapy.
I value thoughtful collaboration with parents and carers while respecting the young person’s confidentiality and developing independence. Clear agreements are made at the beginning of therapy so everyone understands how communication will work and what to expect.
Supporting a young person can sometimes feel challenging, and it’s natural to want guidance for yourself as well as for them. I am happy to offer advice and guidance on ways to support your child between sessions, and to answer any questions about the therapy process.
In addition, there are trusted organisations that provide practical resources and support for parents and carers:
- YoungMinds – Parents Helpline – Advice, information, and support for parents and carers of children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Place2Be – Parents & Carers – Guidance on supporting emotional wellbeing in children and young people.
- NSPCC – Support for Parents – Practical advice on safeguarding and supporting children’s emotional health.
These resources complement counselling and can help you feel more confident in supporting your young person’s emotional wellbeing.
There is no set length for therapy. Some young people benefit from short-term support, while others prefer longer-term work. This is always guided by your child’s needs, comfort, and goals, and is reviewed regularly together.
Young people may seek support for:
- Anxiety and worry
- Low mood or depression
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Identity exploration
- Friendship and relationship difficulties
- Family changes or conflict
- School, college, or exam stress
- Emotional regulation
- Self-harm concerns
Feeling nervous is completely natural. Many young people feel unsure at first, especially if they haven’t experienced counselling before. Sessions are gentle, relaxed, and led at their pace, allowing trust and comfort to build gradually. I am happy to have a 20 minute introduction meeting with young person over the phone or online if this would assist with them feeling more comfortable.
Yes — practical or safeguarding-related communication is always welcome. Clear boundaries around therapeutic confidentiality are maintained, and any contact is handled thoughtfully, sensitively when communicated with the young person.
You are welcome to get in touch using my Get in Touch page. There is also the option to arrange a 20-minute introduction appointment, over the phone or online, to ask questions or discuss any concerns. I’m happy to talk things through and help you and your child decide whether counselling feels like the right step.