Growing up can be complicated.
Young people are navigating friendships, expectations, identity and an ever-changing world, often while trying to understand their own thoughts and emotions. Having a safe and supportive space to talk can make a real difference.
Our young person counselling sessions provide a place where young people can speak openly about what they’re experiencing. With the support of a trained counsellor, they can begin to make sense of their thoughts and feelings, develop greater confidence and emotional understanding, and find healthier ways to navigate the challenges they face.
Young people come to counselling for many different reasons, and no two experiences are the same.
On this page
What is young person counselling?
Young person counselling provides a dedicated space where a young person can talk openly about what is going on in their life. It offers time away from the pressures of school, family and everyday expectations, where they can be listened to without judgement.
With the support of a trained counsellor, young people can begin to make sense of their thoughts and feelings, explore what matters to them, and develop greater understanding of themselves. Counselling is not about telling a young person what to do, but about working alongside them as they make sense of things and find their own way forward. This often leads to more meaningful and lasting change, as it comes from within the young person themselves.
When counselling can help
Young people come to counselling for many different reasons. Sometimes parents notice that something doesn’t seem quite right,
while at other times a young person may ask for support themselves.
Our young person counselling sessions may be helpful when a young person is experiencing:
Anxiety and persistent worries
Some young people experience ongoing anxiety, racing thoughts or a sense that something isn’t quite right. Counselling provides space to explore worries, understand what may be driving them, and develop ways to feel calmer and more secure.
Low mood or loss of motivation
When a young person feels persistently sad, tired or disconnected from things they once enjoyed, it can affect school, friendships and everyday life. Counselling offers support to understand these feelings and begin rebuilding confidence and hope.
Feeling overwhelmed by school or expectations
Academic pressure, social dynamics and uncertainty about the future can sometimes feel too much to manage alone. Counselling can help young people process these pressures and find healthier ways to cope with stress.
Friendship and social difficulties
Navigating friendships and social situations can be complicated during adolescence. Counselling offers a space to talk about relationship challenges, build communication skills and strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging.
Big emotions and emotional regulation
Some young people experience emotions that feel overwhelming or difficult to manage. This may include intense anger, distress, self-harm or thoughts about suicide. Counselling offers a safe space to talk about what’s going on – helping young people begin to get the “inside stuff” outside, where it can feel less frightening and easier to understand.
Life changes, identity and difficult experiences
Events such as family separation, bereavement, bullying or other challenging experiences can affect young people deeply. Adolescence can also be a time of exploring identity, including questions around gender or sexuality. Counselling offers a supportive space to reflect on these experiences and work through them at their own pace.
How counselling works
At Alaria, counselling is guided by a person-centred approach. This means the young person is at the heart of the process, and sessions move at a pace that feels right for them.
Rather than directing the conversation or telling a young person what they should think or do, the counsellor listens carefully and follows their lead. The aim is to create a space where young people feel genuinely heard, respected and accepted as they are.
Within this kind of supportive relationship, young people often begin to understand their thoughts and feelings more clearly. Over time, this can help them develop greater self-awareness, confidence and resilience as they navigate the challenges in their lives.
What sessions are like
Counselling sessions usually take place one-to-one and last around 50 minutes. Sessions typically happen weekly, creating a consistent and supportive space where young people can pause, reflect and talk about what is going on in their lives.
Some young people prefer simply to talk, while others find it easier to explore their thoughts through conversation while walking, sitting in nature, or engaging in simple activities such as whittling, paddling or toasting a marshmallow by the fire. These gentle activities can help reduce pressure and allow conversations to unfold more naturally.
Counselling is not about being judged or told what to do. Instead, the counsellor listens carefully and works alongside the young person to help them understand their thoughts and feelings more clearly. Over time, this supportive relationship can help young people feel more confident, better able to manage their emotions, and less alone with what they are experiencing.
Counselling supported by nature
At Alaria, counselling may take place indoors or outdoors, depending on what feels most comfortable and helpful for the young person.
Many young people find it easier to talk while walking or spending time in natural surroundings. Being outdoors can gently reduce pressure, support emotional regulation, and create space for reflection. Our guinea pigs and chickens can also be wonderful ice-breakers – and they are thoroughly non-judgemental listeners!
Our setting beside Glengavel Reservoir provides a calm and peaceful environment where conversations can unfold naturally. Nature is not used as a technique, but as a supportive backdrop that often helps young people feel more relaxed, open and able to share what is on their mind.
Supporting Parents and Carers
When a young person begins counselling, parents and carers often have understandable questions about how the process works.
Counselling is a confidential space for the young person, which helps them feel safe to speak openly about what is on their mind. This means the counsellor does not share details of what is discussed in sessions unless there are serious concerns about the young person’s safety or wellbeing. In that situation, the counsellor would aim to work collaboratively with the young person to widen the circle of confidentiality to include parents and/or appropriate professionals if needed.
At the same time, parents remain an important part of a young person’s support network. At the beginning of the process, we take time to talk through how counselling works, what to expect, and how everyone involved can help support the young person’s wellbeing. We also recognise that parents often carry their own worries and questions, and we aim to approach these conversations with care and respect for everyone involved.
Practical Information
Young person counselling at Alaria is available for young people aged 11–18.
- Session length: approximately 50 minutes
- Frequency: usually weekly
- Location: High Plewlands Farm, beside Glengavel Reservoir in South Lanarkshire
- Setting: sessions may take place indoors or outdoors depending on what feels most comfortable and appropriate
Cost: Sessions are offered on a sliding scale between £30 and £70. Families choose the fee that feels affordable, with many opting to pay something in the middle. Those who can afford to pay a little more are helping to subsidise those who need to pay less. This helps us keep counselling accessible while ensuring the service remains sustainable.
If you’re looking for young person counselling in South Lanarkshire, we’d be happy to talk through what might feel helpful for your child.
