In Act for Change, we have been providing individual counselling (1-2-1) for young people for more than 15 years. Most of the young people are referred to us for counselling through social services and schools.
We are very passionate about our work, we have a diverse team of counsellors and mentors, and we like to see that we made a difference for the young person.
When are young people referred to us?
Some of the most common reasons are:
- A crisis in the family (for example, relationship difficulties; domestic violence; illness or death in the family; parents divorcing)
- Difficult feelings: young person is experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression that makes it hard to engage with common activities and friendships; feeling constantly on edge, irritable; or feeling suicidal
- Challenging behaviour: self-harming; communication difficulties; aggression
- Not attending school for a long period of time, or being expelled from school; bullying
- Going missing from home or care repeatedly; risk of criminal or sexual exploitation
What does the young person who is referred to Act for Change for counselling need to know?
- You are not alone. Many of us have been in a similar situation like you are now. Maybe you feel bad about it, but don’t let it make you feel hopeless. We will explore with you what you can change for yourself, how you can have more control of the situation.
- You might feel many things about the referral. Young people respond in different ways when they are recommended for counselling. Some look forward to talking to a professional, someone who is not their family, who knows how to listen and who will help them make sense of what is going on.
- Others are anxious: they are going to meet someone they never met before and it makes them nervous. Some are so anxious that they miss sessions, come late or refuse counselling before they even started.
- Some feel they don’t really need counselling; they are coping, they are fine.
- GIVE IT A CHANCE!
- If you have never done counselling before it might seem daunting at first. Give it time. Get to know your counsellor/mentor, check whether you feel listened to and heard. It might take several sessions to settle into the process.
- You and your mental well-being is the priority.
- You will not always talk about problems and heavy things. You will also talk about what you like doing, what are your interests, hobbies, what brings you joy.
- Your counsellor might also invite you to draw or paint, move, dance, use music, use objects or toys, try to play different roles, explore night and day dreams, for example, as some things are harder to express in words.
- Sometimes you might feel that you do not trust your counsellor. That’s okay. Talk about it; the counsellor will help you explore what makes you feel that way.
- Your counsellor will want to hear your side of the story: Not all details get written down in a referral. They will listen to you and together you will plan what you want to get out of it and how you can achieve it.
- They will also help you to see that you and your family are part of a community, with its history and issues. That none of us is isolated: we all belong to this world and our problems reflect global issues that have an impact on us all.
- If you feel that counselling is not really helping you, talk about it with your counsellor. Find out together what you both can change. (Of course, you can always walk away. Remember though, that your feedback is important for us, we learn from it and it helps us grow.)
What do you need to know when you are a professional who would like to work with us?
In Act for Change, our mission is to support children, young people, families and communities to overcome adversity and trauma, and thrive. We work in a trauma-informed way and often collaborate with other agencies to enhance resource-oriented responses in individuals and communities. Besides offering counselling and mentoring, we also run community leadership programmes, trainings and open forums.
We’d like to hear from you if you are interested. Let’s explore how we can work together!