What is Relate for Young People?

Our Young People’s counselling service offers counselling to young people who are upset as a result of the breakdown of their parents’ relationship.

Who can Come?

If you are aged between 11 and 18 (not 18 or over) and your family has such problems, this service may be for you.

You can talk in private about your experiences and feelings with a Relate counsellor. Sometimes it is hard to talk to those closest to you, particularly if they are tied up with their own problems. Counselling gives you the opportunity to talk to someone about your feelings and concerns and helps you to find ways to manage them.

Who are the counsellors?

Our counsellors are specifically trained to work with young people in a supportive way. Some have a diploma in counselling and have undergone further training by Relate, others are relationship counsellors who have done further work in working with families, including young people. All are genuinely interested in putting you and your needs first.

Is it confidential?

What you tell us we treat with respect and we will discuss with you our confidentiality policy when you come to meet with us. The only time we would tell someone about what you have told us is if you said someone, including yourself, was at risk from harm. In this case we have a duty of care (that means we have to) to talk to you about what we will do and what we will tell someone else.

Where and when?

Counselling is available after school or college in our centre in central Bournemouth. Each session will last up to an hour. Things our counsellors deal with are in the following list:

• You may be worried about arguments at home
• Your parents may be considering separating or may have been separated / divorced for some time
• One of your parents may have a new partner - you may find it difficult to come to terms with
• You may feel angry and upset about what has happened or is happening between your parents / step parents
• You may feel responsible for your parent or parents’ emotional needs

One of your parents may be having a new relationship with someone of the same sex
We do not have a magic wand, but we can help you to understand your feelings about what is happening in your family. It is up to you how many times you come, usually we say a maximum of 10 sessions, you can stop seeing your counsellor and then come back later if you need further help in the future.

Costs?

The service costs us £45 per hour to provide and we will ask your parents or guardians to pay something towards this cost if they know you are coming for counselling.

Not coming to see us?

If you want to look for other sources of help at this time try any of the links below

Useful Books

Click HERE for Relate's recommended books.

Useful Links

Click HERE for useful links for young people.

Useful Phone / email

Talk to Frank - All About Drugs
Tel: 0800 - 776600
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Childline - Help For Young People
Tel: 0800 - 1111