Counselling Children and Young People
Counselling Children and Young People
Over the last 10 years I have gained experience working with young people in a variety of different therapeutic and support roles. The skills, knowledge and experience I have acquired have enabled me to develop the ability to communicate with, support and build effective therapeutic relationships with the most vulnerable young people.
To further support my young clients I am currently doing an M.A in Counselling Children and Young People at the University of Wales. This course concludes in March 2013.
My intial exposure to working with young people was as a counsellor within a drug and alcohol agency. I noticed a theme with my young clients. Drugs and/or alcohol offered them a way of coping with the demands of an adult world that expected more then they could deliver. With this in mind we collaborated in building on their existing resources to promote more effective, widely accepted coping strategies. I noticed that my way of working had a positive impact on many other high risk behaviours connected with this age group - most noticable was the reduction in self-harming/injuring activities.
After 2 years I was ready to enhance the skills and knowledge I had aquired in a counselling setting to work with more vulerable young people in the community. I spent the next 3 years working as a Young Person's Outreach Worker for a drug and alcohol charity. This role involved relating to the most disengaged, disillusioned and dangerous young people in the community. The clients were 11-19 year olds who were taking risks with drugs or drug funding exercises. I meet young people on the streets, engaged with them to gain their trust and supported them in every aspect of their lives. This could be as simple as reducing thier drug taking risks or as complex as arranging residential rehabilitation. It was obvious that the young clients were often self-medicating to elevate severe mental health issues; therefore, another aspect of this role was supporting the young person through a network of other professionals.
Currently, I am a senior counsellor at a Sixth Form College and am constantly surprised and in awe of the creative, inspiring and brave ways my clients engage in a drive towards a better sense of well-being with me in the therapeutic encounter. I am always astonished at the imaginative and resourceful ways my clients commit to, and make changes in their lives. This process motivates me, both personally and professionally and further strengthens my belief in a non-directive, empowering approach to working with young people.
►Richard Carroll ► 01252 513876 ►07876 200559