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Counselling for Teenagers (15+) near Frome, Bath and Warminster
I offer gentle, in-person, neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed counselling for teenagers experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, masking, burnout or difficult experiences.
Being a teenager can feel like a lot.
School or college, friendships, family, relationships, sensory demands and expectations can all become overwhelming, particularly if you're autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, wondering whether you might be neurodivergent, or have experienced something difficult.
Sometimes you know what's bothering you. Other times, you just know that things don't feel right. You don't need to have it all figured out before coming to counselling.
We can start with where you are.
When everything feels too much
Being a teenager can be overwhelming, and trying to work out who you are while managing everything expected of you can take its toll.
You might be:
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holding it together at school and falling apart at home
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masking or constantly trying to fit in
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anxious, overwhelmed or burnt out
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struggling with sensory overload
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shutting down or withdrawing
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finding school increasingly difficult to attend
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experiencing intense emotions
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struggling after something frightening or difficult
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questioning whether they may be autistic or ADHD
Sometimes there isn't one obvious problem. Things have simply become too much.
You don't have to be good at talking
You don't have to make eye contact, sit still, or know what to say or talk about before you're ready to discuss difficult experiences. Counselling doesn't have to mean sitting opposite someone and talking for 50 minutes.
Some sessions might involve lots of talking. Others might involve less.
My approach includes body-based and nervous-system work, so we can also notice what happens when overwhelm shows up in the body and find ways of working with it. We go at your pace.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy
I have a particular interest in working with autistic, ADHD and
AuDHD teenagers, including those waiting for an assessment
or beginning to wonder whether they might be neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy doesn't expect you to adapt
yourself to fit therapy. The therapy adapts to you.
That might mean allowing more processing time, understanding
sensory needs, not expecting eye contact, recognising masking
and shutdown, or finding different ways to communicate.
I don't see autism or ADHD as something to be "fixed". We work towards understanding your individual needs, reducing distress and helping life feel more manageable.
Trauma, neurodivergence & the nervous system
Trauma, anxiety, burnout and neurodivergence don't always fit neatly into separate boxes.
You may understand why you're struggling but still experience panic, shutdown, overwhelm or a body that feels constantly on alert. My trauma-informed, body-based approach means you don't have to repeatedly tell the story of what happened.
We can start with what's happening now and work gently from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens in my first session?
A: The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for you to get a feel for what counselling with me is like. We can talk about what has brought you to counselling, what's feeling difficult and what you might like some help with. You don't have to tell me everything in the first session, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to work on. We can work that out together.
Q: What if I don't know what to talk about?
A: That's completely okay. You don't need to arrive with something prepared or know how to explain what you're feeling. Some people find talking easier than others. We can take our time, have pauses and find different ways of working that feel comfortable for you. You won't be expected to talk continuously for 50 minutes.
Q: Will you tell my parents what I say?
A: Your counselling sessions are confidential. This means I don't routinely tell your parents or carers what you have talked about. There are some limits to confidentiality. If I become concerned about your safety or somebody else's safety, or there is another reason I am required to share information, I may need to involve someone else. I will explain this clearly when we first meet. Wherever possible, I will talk to you first so that you know what is happening and why.
Q: What if counselling wasn't my idea?
A: It's okay if someone else suggested counselling or you're not sure whether you want to come.
You won't be forced to talk about things you aren't ready to discuss, and I won't expect you to trust me straight away. Our first session can simply be a chance to meet, see what counselling with me is like and decide how it feels.
Q: Do I have to talk about difficult things that have happened?
A: No. You don't have to tell me the whole story of something difficult or traumatic for us to work together.
We can begin with what's happening for you now and go at a pace that feels manageable. If you do want to talk about something that has happened, we can approach it gently and without rushing.
For parents and carers
Watching your teenager struggle can leave you wondering where to turn.
You may already have approached school, your GP or CAMHS and found yourself facing a long wait for assessment or support. Some young people don't meet the threshold for specialist services, while others need support while they're waiting.
Your teenager doesn't need to wait for a diagnosis to begin counselling with me.
They may already have a diagnosis, be on an assessment waiting list, be exploring whether they're neurodivergent, or simply need support with what they're experiencing now. Counselling offers a consistent space outside home and school where they don't have to mask, perform or have all the answers.
My role isn't to "fix" your teenager. It's to understand them and build a relationship in which they can begin to understand themselves, too.
Meeting face-to-face gives us a consistent, private space and supports the relational and body-based way I work with young people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens before my teenager starts counselling?
A: When a parent or carer makes an enquiry, I will send you a detailed background information form to complete before the first session. This gives me a fuller picture of your teenager, including relevant history, current difficulties, previous support and anything you feel it would be helpful for me to know. The first counselling session gives me an opportunity to get to know your teenager and hear their perspective.
Q: Will you tell me what my teenager talks about?
A: Counselling gives a young person a confidential space where they can talk openly. I don't routinely report back to parents or carers about what has been discussed in sessions. There are limits to confidentiality, particularly when I have concerns about a young person's safety or someone else's, or when I am required to share information. I explain these boundaries clearly to both the young person and their parent or carer at the beginning.
Q: Can I contact you during my teenager's counselling?
A: Yes. You can contact me about appointments, practical arrangements, or any important concerns.
I maintain clear boundaries around communication with parents and carers because the counselling relationship is with the young person. This helps your teenager know that counselling is a space where they can speak openly.
Q: What if my teenager doesn't want counselling?
A: It's not unusual for a teenager to feel unsure about counselling, particularly if it wasn't their idea. I won't force a young person to talk or expect them to engage before they feel comfortable. The first session can be an opportunity for them to meet me, experience what counselling is like and begin to decide whether it feels helpful. For counselling to be effective, it is important that the young person has a voice in whether and how we work together.
Q: Do you work with parents as part of the counselling?
A: My primary therapeutic relationship is with the young person. There may be times when a conversation with a parent or carer would be helpful. If this is appropriate, we can discuss how to do this while maintaining clear boundaries around your teenager's confidentiality.
Q: How long will my teenager need counselling?
A: There isn't a set number of sessions because every young person is different. Some teenagers benefit from shorter-term support while others need a longer period to build trust and work through what is happening for them. We can review how counselling is going and whether it remains helpful.
Q: Where are sessions and how much do they cost?
A: I offer in-person counselling for teenagers aged 15+ from my counselling room in Chapmanslade, conveniently located for families near Frome, Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge, Bath and the surrounding areas. Or online across the UK.
Sessions are 50 minutes and cost £95.
