Youth Counselling Canberra

COUNSELLOR

Working with young people energises and inspires me. I believe that often we overlook the growing wisdom and resourcefulness adolescents hold. My sessions incorporate humour and the opportunity to just be real.

If we thought being a kid was difficult in the 80s or 90s? We were not exposed to half of what the digital world has brought with it! Today’s youth face a level of overwhelm that many parents cannot even begin to comprehend.

Martin Seligman states:

“Despite the self-esteem campaign, despite the natural optimism children have as toddlers, and despite the new opportunities that are now infolding in our society, our children are experiencing pessimism, sadness, and passivity on an unprecedented scale.”

-The Optimistic Child-

This excerpt is from his book written 27 years ago. While our youth today are exposed to an even greater level of pressure!

RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION

The opportunity to journey towards resilience is more than possible. Our experiences have a way of shaping our character. Just like a diamond is formed under immense pressure, the pressure experienced by young people can lead to a greater sense of meaning and vitality.

6 ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE VITALITY

Research suggests six activities that promote vitality:

• Connecting with others

• Giving

• Being Active

• Embracing the moment

• Taking on challenges. and

• Caring for oneself.

• (The thriving adolescent- Hayes & Ciarrochi, 2015).

Tapping into the motivation to inspire positive change can be a challenge. When a teen connects with someone who can affirm them and believes in them, magic happens. It is like the lights get switched on, and suddenly a confident, focused, and goal-directed person emerges. I have a natural ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to my counselling. The awareness that square pegs were never intended for round holes informs my work.

LIMITED APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY

Centred on increasing a deeper understanding and awareness of ‘Self’ and resolving areas in which there is a sense of being ‘stuck’. Counselling can help to develop and provide the skills to navigate:

• Challenging Behaviours

• Personal Identity

• Relationship & Family Issues

• Navigating Life Transitions, Grief, and Loss

• Promoting Personal Growth

• Increasing Available Supports

• Promoting Positive Mental Health and Well-being

• No Referral Required

Service Delivery:

• Online/Zoom/Telehealth

Counselling Approach:

• Experienced Child, Youth, & Family Outreach Counsellor

• Group Facilitator: RAGE, Circle of Security Parenting, Drumbeat (Contact Marymead Catholic Care’s New Horizon’s Team for more Group Information)

• Non-Clinical Approach

• I’m not keen on labels, but have worked extensively with neurodiversity

• I haven’t forgotten the difficulties the teen years bring

• I am unconventional and like to keep things ‘real’

• Personal lived experience with ADHD

• I approach my sessions from a place of authenticity. If anyone is able to detect ‘fake’, it is a teenager.

• I encourage independent thinking and enhancing problem solving skills, youth have enough adults in their lives telling them what to do, think, and feel.