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What is Counselling?

The opportunity to talk about things that are concerning us, in confidence, with a qualified counsellor. What is spoken about will depend on the individual, but common themes are stress, relationships, change, loss and distressing, traumatic events.

What does a Counsellor do?

Counsellors are trained to listen without judging and to help people sort out their thoughts and feelings about whatever is concerning or confusing them.

Why have a Counsellor for young people?

Few of us are able to work well when we are stressed or unhappy.

The impact of distressing or difficult situations can be felt even more acutely by young people than by adults. Our experience is that young people find counselling useful in the same way as adults. They also bring similar issues to counselling, with fractured family situations, bullying and peer difficulties occurring most frequently. It is the belief of the Youth Counselling Service that if young people are able to receive emotional support from a qualified professional they will have greater opportunity to fulfil their potential.

How long will counselling last?

Counselling may be for a few sessions, or longer term. It is reviewed regularly between counsellor and client.

Where and when does it take place?

Usually, a small, private room is made available in your child's school or in the community during the day. Sessions last about fifty minutes, and appointment times in the school can be varied so that time is not lost from any one subject.

Is it confidential?

A key feature of the Youth Counselling Service is that information is treated confidentially. Counselling is a time when it's O.K. to talk about concerns without fear of them being discussed elsewhere. This includes not discussing the work with parents, teachers or any other adult unless the young person requests or gives consent for this. This can be hard for parents to accept at times, but ensuring the confidentiality of the work is crucial for establishing trust so that young people feel confident to speak openly and freely about what is concerning them.

However, if a young person appears to be at risk of significant harm it may be appropriate to seek help from other agencies to keep them safe. The counsellor would discuss this first with the young person concerned. This is in line with published Health and North Lanarkshire Council Child Protection guidelines.

All counsellors receive supervision of their work, to ensure quality of Practice. These supervision sessions involve the anonymous presentation of casework.

What if I don't want my child to receive counselling?

If a young person requests counselling and is able to understand what is involved in the process, then they have the right to access counselling. Parents and carers may not deny them this right. The Youth Counselling Service would, however, prefer that we have your support for the work, and we are always happy to talk with you about any concerns that you may have about the idea of counselling.

What if s/he refuses to have Counselling?

The decision about whether or not to take up the offer of counselling is entirely voluntary for young people, just as it would be for an adult.

Can I support the Counselling work?

Yes, and the Youth Counselling Service welcomes this. Experience shows that the most helpful thing a parent can do is to show an acceptance of counselling as a normal and useful activity, and to show an interest if their son/ daughter wishes to talk about it, while not pressing them if they don't. We acknowledge that this isn't an easy task, and it is quite natural for parents to feel anxious about what may be being said in the sessions.

It is always the hope of the Youth Counselling Service that talking to a counsellor will lead to greater understanding between child and parent. However, you may need to allow a little time for this to happen.

If my child wants to see a Counsellor does that mean I am failing as a parent?

Absolutely not! We all experience occasions when it feels hard to speak to those closest to us about things which are bothering us. Often this can be because we don't want to worry those we love best, or because we want help thinking things through with someone unbiased. The Counsellor will not be judging you or your child, but looking to help them find his/her way through whatever is troubling him/her.

How is the Youth Counselling Service accessed?

Your child may request counselling or requests may be facilitated through the school's pupil support system or by another professional who knows your child well. Alternatively you may support your child in his/her request for counselling. If a teacher or other professional makes the request the Youth Counselling Service expects him/her to speak with the young person about it. The same would apply to you. No request for counselling will be accepted without the full knowledge and understanding of the young person involved.

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