Zoe, one of our Children and Young People's Therapists, tells us about what a counselling session for young people looks like:

What could a new client expect from a counselling session?

“New clients can expect to come into a very warm, friendly, safe environment. SWEDA is a colourful, welcoming space with lots of room for creative activities: you won’t just be sitting in a chair opposite a stranger! In the first session you will meet your therapist, who will talk about what to expect from the sessions so that you feel safe and supported. You’ll talk about what you hope to get out of the sessions so that your therapist can help you work towards your goals.“

What do we do in the sessions?

“To start with we focus on building a trusting connection between the client and the therapist. You’ll be provided with guidance and resources such as tips on how to cope with anxiety, or practical steps to help you while you’re at school. Be reassured that you’re in control and you set the pace of the sessions. At SWEDA, the support is tailored to your needs: it’s not about you fitting into our picture, but us fitting into yours."

What kind of activities do we get up to?

"The Children and Young Peoples’ Therapists use a variety of creative activities to explore the topics that matter to you and your goals for therapy. We might work on a painting session by session to help you picture your progress; you might create something to hold in your hands that helps you feel grounded and safe. Music is also a great aid for exploring our emotions, so you could bring along a song that you connect with: perhaps the song contains words you don’t feel ready to say out loud. We’d slowly pick out the key lyrics and explore how you relate to them.”