Counselling
Counselling - what’s it all about?
If you have been thinking about your emotional well-being you might have already looked at information on self-help, to support you with how you feel, or maybe for some ideas on how to manage a situation or relationship. This can often help you resolve things. If not, you might be considering some counselling as another option. You might have a few questions about how it works and if it’s for you. We hope this can help you decide.
“I worry about everything,” “I don’t know how to make things change”
Why would I talk to a Counsellor?
We’re all hearing a lot more about talking to each about our feelings, especially during the pandemic, but what’s the difference in talking to a friend or family member and talking with a counsellor? As friends or family members our first response can often be to reassure or give solutions. We may feel differently about the situation you want to talk over and sometimes, this can make things a bit more complicated. You may want to talk things through without being worried about how somebody may react to what you need to say. You may also feel that you don’t want to worry someone with how you feel or simply find it difficult to tell someone you’re close to. Counsellors are there to listen, but they won’t have a personal involvement in your situation, so they will respond differently to what you have to say.
What happens?
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Counselling is often described as a talking therapy or a process which can bring about change… but what does that mean exactly?
In counselling, people can talk about their experiences and the counsellor will listen to your story.
They may say things like ‘can you tell me a bit more about that’ or ‘how did that make you feel’.
They will often check with you, their understanding of what you’ve said. This is to make sure they have understood correctly but also, because this gives you the chance to consider your words and recognise how you feel.
The counsellor may also ask you some ‘why’? questions (why do you think that? / what makes you say that?) which can sometimes be difficult to answer, as you may not know why, that’s why you’re there isn’t it!
But all of this should be done in a sensitive and supportive way, to help you explore and understand your own thoughts and feelings better.
Simply, it’s about giving you an opportunity to talk to someone and clear your mind.
You can tell them how you feel and they won’t get upset or angry with you, but they will listen and try to help you work difficult things out. They won’t judge you or make you feel embarrassed and when you’re ready, maybe help you find some solutions which are right for you.
Feelings and emotions can be difficult to identify, and we often prefer to concentrate on the good ones and ignore the rest. But our feelings are there to tell us something - even if we don’t like them! Holding onto or ignoring our feelings, can make us feel anxious, affect our moods, our ability to sleep and our general wellbeing.
When this happens, we can feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to help ourselves.
So, feelings and emotions are discussed in counselling (quite a bit!) and that is to help you become more comfortable with them and understanding of them. Identifying how we feel about something or someone can make a big difference.
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Counselling is not about giving you advice or making decisions for you.
It is about listening to you, helping you identify what options you have and maybe making decisions for yourself. Sometimes you might want to ask the counsellor: “what do you think I should do?” … and just asking this question can make you realise how stuck or confused you feel. In counselling, it also gives you the opportunity to consider things and then make a choice for yourself.
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Counselling and CBT are both types of therapy and tend to be the main one’s people have heard of.
They may use different strategies or techniques but there might be some similar ones too and some counsellors or therapists will be able to adapt their skills, to suit the person they are working with.
Counselling:
You might choose to have counselling if you are trying to manage difficult circumstances in life. Maybe if something has happened that can’t be changed (like a bereavement) and you’re finding it hard to cope with your feelings.
Or if you’re finding a situation stressful and you’re not sure how to change things or even if you want to (like with a difficult relationship). Counselling can also be helpful if you are not sure what the problem is and can give you the time and space to work through these things and your feelings about them.
Confidentiality:
When you speak to a counsellor in a young people’s agency, they will talk to you about confidentiality and their role in keeping you safe.
You may be a little worried about this but it’s important that you understand what it means for you. So always check with them and ask questions if you’re not sure.
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With both counselling and CBT - it’s worth considering your own involvement too. What’s right for you could depend on many things, even practical ones like when, where and how it takes place.
Check out what you need to know beforehand, to help you make your decision. Realistically, if you’re not fully decided you may well put it off so, here are some questions to help you decide:
• How do you want it to help you?
• Will things get better if you do nothing?
• Would you put aside the time for sessions even if you have other commitments (like school/college/ work)
If you are thinking of accessing support, you don’t need to put your life on hold but it’s useful to think about your own expectations. There are many options available now - face to face, on-line, telephone or video calls and messaging sessions. *Check with individual services for what they can offer.
It can be easier to find reasons not to ask for, or accept, emotional support; even when you’re really struggling. Embarrassment, not knowing where to begin, concerns about what people would think, not enough time to fit it in, deciding it’s not going to help anyway. But you only need one good reason to give it a try.
If you do decide to try counselling, maybe consider it a starting point for you and, as a conversation - to be continued...
Further Support
Response Counselling Service
The Response counselling service works with young people aged 13-18. It is a free confidential service working with young people with moderate to severe issues which include suicide ideation, self harming, depression, high levels of anxiety bereavement etc.
We also work with the Response Alcohol and drugs team as many referral come for both services. Our work is separate from but alongside CAMHS, sharing risk between the 2 services. The referral system is usually by filling in a referral form and sending it by email unless it’s a parent referring and we can take it over the phone. We can only accept referral if it’s with the consent of the young person.
If a young person mentioned suicide then it’s fine for a worker to talk with them but it does need referring on, talking about suicide will never increase the risk of a young person taking their own life.
Self harm can include many ways , it is a physical way of dealing with an emotion. Again it needs referring on as stopping a young person from harming themselves isn’t going to deal with why they are having to do it.
Response coordinator 01516664123/3783 email barrymarsden@wirral.gov.uk
Emergency-ring 999
Present at Arrowe Park Hospital Liaison and psychiatry.
24 hour mental health line 03003033972 any age.
CAMHS advice and duty line 0151 488 8453
BRANCH
Branch is an online mental wellbeing hub for children and young people in Wirral, from 0 all the way to 18 (and up to 25 with additional needs). It doesn’t deliver services directly – it’s more of a guide, helping people to find the best tools and local support.
It can be used for any child or young person, no matter how big or small their worries feel. It’s packed with tips to help them feel better and, when they need a bit of extra support, gives simple routes into local services.
Branch doesn’t offer crisis support but has information on where to get help in an emergency.
Visit www.branch-wirral.co.uk
HATCH
Hatch is here to make sure that you have emotional wellbeing support
Everybody has ups and downs in life and goes through challenging times, it is a natural part of life, and these things having an effect upon the way we feel is perfectly normal.
But much of the time we are not born with the innate ability to cope with these things on our own.
This is where we can help. Hatch provide 1-1 sessions to help develop a range of skills and strategies that can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Our volunteer mentors support you to complete a computerised CBT skills intervention that explores which things work best for you. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which sounds pretty intimidating! What it actually means is learning a way of thinking that helps us face tough times in a positive way!
HATCH support Wirral Young People aged 11 - 16
Mobile:
Email:
OPEN DOOR CHARITY
If you are aged 17 - 30, you can become a member and then access as many of our services as you like, including Creative Therapeutic Support if you are feeling down, low, stressed or anxious, numerous different activities within music and the arts, unique training and volunteering opportunities and much more. Membership is free, with no waiting lists.
NHS 111 mental health option - for urgent support
24/7 All age crisis line
Please call NHS 111, select the mental health option and dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages, including children and young people. Parents and carers can also call the crisis line if they are worried about a young person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
This is a new service and to ease the transition - those people who call our old mental health crisis line number, 0800 145 6485 will still get through to our team.
Action for Children (Counselling)
Best start in life
We know how important the early years are - and we’re here to help. From parenting advice to education and early intervention, we focus on improving children’s life chances.
Good mental health
Everyone has ups and downs in life. Our mental and emotional well-being experts work with families and schools to make sure children and parents feel able to cope with challenges when they arise.
A safe and loving home
We make sure more children feel part of a family that cares for them. We find homes for those without, protect children who have been abused or neglected, and help ensure young carers don’t miss out on a childhood.
Action for Children HSIS Counselling Service are in 10 school across Wirral listed below. Self-referrals are accepted through the school pastoral team in each school.
Missing a special person? Separated by distance, family breakdown, death of a loved one/pet? Overwhelmed by school pressure, peer pressure, expectations? Come and talk to us. We are Action for Children, working in partnership with Wirral Schools. We will listen to your thoughts and feelings and help you to express and explore them. You decide what to say and do - no problem is too big or small. We are here for you.
HSIS Counselling Schools:
Weatherhead High School
Ridgeway High School
St Anselm’s
Birkenhead Academy
St John Plessington Catholic College
Wirral Grammar School for Girls
Woodchurch High School
Oldershaw Academy
West Kirby Grammar School
South Wirral
KOOTH (Online counselling)
Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
SHOUT
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
or
Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.
Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Text: YM to 85258
Opening times: 24/7
WEB Merseyside
A community organisation supporting local men, women and children.
Community support
Telephone: 0151 653 3771
Email: info@webmerseyside.org