Counselling for Young People and Teenagers (11+)
Sometimes it helps to have someone who will listen without judgement, take you seriously and make space for whatever you might be going through.
Counselling for young people aged 11 and over can offer support through the challenges of growing up. Friendships, school pressures, family relationships, anxiety, identity and the feeling of not quite fitting in can sometimes become difficult to navigate. There may be things happening that are hard to explain, difficult to talk about or that you simply haven’t quite made sense of yet.
Counselling offers a space of your own to explore what’s happening in your life, make sense of your feelings and work through things that may be difficult to talk about elsewhere. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to say or have everything figured out before you begin.
My approach is relational and person-centred. I want young people to feel that they can come as they are, without needing to have the right words or worry about being judged. We work at a pace that feels comfortable for them, finding ways to explore their experiences that suit them as individuals.
Counselling doesn’t always have to involve sitting and talking. Where it feels helpful, we can use creative approaches such as games, art or music to explore thoughts and feelings in different ways. These can offer another way to express something that might be difficult to put into words.
I work with young people aged 11 and over, offering face-to-face sessions in Basingstoke and online counselling.
Considering counselling for yourself or your young person?
Whether you’re a young person exploring counselling for yourself, or a parent wondering whether it might be helpful, a free 20-minute introductory call gives us an opportunity to talk briefly about what you’re looking for, ask questions and consider whether working together might be appropriate.
What young people value about counselling
“I felt listened to without judgement. She took the time to understand my perspective and made me feel heard.”
Themes reflected in feedback from young people
“I want to know about you. I want to know things that interest you, I want to hear about big and small wins, not only about the problems you face.”
Words shared by a young person about what had stayed with them after their initial session.
Counselling at a glance
How much does counselling cost?
Sessions are £65 for 50 minutes.
Before starting, we’ll have a free 20-minute call. This is a relaxed conversation where we’ll talk about what’s brought you here, explore whether individual therapy feels right for you, and see if my way of working feels like a good fit. There’s no cost and no commitment to go any further.
Where do sessions take place?
I offer face-to-face counselling from my practice in Basingstoke, as well as online sessions.
Online sessions take place via Google Meet.
Payment and cancellations
Fees are payable at least 48 hours before each session. If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee of £65 applies.
How do I get started?
If you’ve got a few questions, or you’re interested in working together, you can book your free 20-minute call. It’s a chance to talk about what brings you to counselling, ask any questions you have, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
A Few Things You Might Be Wondering
What happens in the first counselling session?
The first counselling session isn’t an assessment that you need to pass, and you don’t need to arrive with a perfectly organised explanation of what’s brought you to counselling.
We’ll spend some time getting to know each other and talking about what has been happening for you. I’ll explain a little about how I work and we’ll have space to think about what you’d like from counselling.
You might know exactly what you want to talk about. You might not. Both are okay.
What if I don’t know what I need from counselling?
That’s okay too. You don’t have to work it all out before you come through the door. Sometimes knowing that something isn’t quite right is the starting point.
We can take some time to understand what is happening rather than rushing to decide what needs to change.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
There’s no set number. How long we work together is entirely up to you.
As we go, we’ll pause regularly to review your progress together. We’ll look at what’s helping, what isn’t, and any changes you’ve noticed since we began, so our work keeps moving towards what matters to you. You’re always in charge of your journey, and you’re free to stop whenever you choose.
How often will we meet?
For individual counselling, I recommend weekly sessions on the same day and at the same time. That consistency gives the work a steady rhythm and helps you get the most from each session.
What if I don’t know what to talk about?
You won’t be expected to arrive with a list of things to discuss. Sometimes we’ll talk. Sometimes we might pause, draw something out, look at something differently or find another way of exploring what’s going on.
There isn’t a right way to do counselling.
Confidentiality
Will what I say in counselling stay confidential?
For young people, this is often one of the biggest questions — and it’s an important one.
The short answer is yes.
What you talk about in counselling is private. I won’t routinely go back to your parent or carer and tell them what you’ve said, or give them a running commentary on what’s happening in our sessions.
There are, however, some important limits to confidentiality. If I’m seriously concerned that you or someone else is at risk of significant harm, or if I have a legal obligation to share information, there may be times when I need to take something outside of the counselling room. If that ever becomes necessary, I will aim to talk with you about it wherever possible, rather than making decisions about you without you.
But what about parents?
Parents and carers understandably want to know how things are going when their child begins counselling. My role is to recognise those concerns while protecting the young person’s confidentiality.
Where appropriate, I may offer a separate conversation to help parents think about how they can support their young person. What can be shared will be discussed with the young person beforehand, and sometimes there may be nothing specific to share.
The focus can be on strengthening understanding, communication and connection at home.
Sounds right for you or your young person? Book your FREE consultation today
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Shanice Batson Counselling
Basingstoke + Online
shanice.sbcounselling@gmail.com
