Counselling for Young People Who Find It Hard to Talk

You might be struggling more than people realise. And talking about it might be the last thing you want to do.

Perhaps you’re a teenager trying to make sense of your feelings, a young adult feeling overwhelmed by life, or someone who feels misunderstood, stuck or unsure of who you are. You might be struggling with anxiety, confidence, friendships, family relationships, school, university or the pressure to work out what comes next.

Maybe you keep things to yourself, push people away, get angry easily or tell everyone you’re fine when you’re not. Perhaps you know something isn’t right, but you don’t know how to explain it — or where to begin.

You don’t have to be good at talking to benefit from counselling.

I understand that opening up to someone new can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’ve been encouraged to talk before you feel ready, or if previous experiences have left you feeling misunderstood. My approach is to build trust first, give you space to be yourself and find a way of working that feels comfortable for you. We don’t have to rush, and talking isn’t the only way to begin.

For parents, it can be difficult watching your child struggle, particularly when they won’t talk to you or seem to push away the people trying to help. You may be worried about their confidence, emotional wellbeing, friendships, behaviour or difficulties at school. Counselling can give them a space outside the family where they can begin to explore what’s going on at their own pace.

As a counsellor, I welcome teenagers, young adults and adults from all backgrounds. I am particularly mindful of how culture, race, mixed heritage, family expectations and a sense of belonging can shape our experiences. You don’t need to explain or justify who you are to feel welcome.

My work is warm, patient and down-to-earth. If sitting and talking feels difficult, we can explore other ways of working, including creative activities where appropriate. My aim isn’t to force you to open up or tell you how to live your life. It’s to help you feel understood, make sense of what’s happening and discover a way forward that feels right for you.

At Acorn Therapy, you don’t have to arrive knowing what to say, what you feel or what you need. We can start wherever you are.

I offer face-to-face counselling in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, as well as online counselling for teenagers, young adults and adults across the UK. Whether you prefer meeting in person or talking from the comfort of your own home, we can explore what works best for you.