Annie Burton

Adolescent Wellbeing is a professional counselling service for children and young people over the age of 11 years.

About me and my practice

My name is Annie and I have worked with young people for over 25 years. The heart of my work is offering young people a confidential, safe and welcoming space where they feel heard, valued and respected. I understand how daunting it can be for young people to access counselling which is why I listen to their exact needs, reassure them and make sure everything is explained so they understand. One of my key strengths is relating to young people using language they understand. With my warm and friendly approach, young people feel relaxed and able to talk freely about their difficulties. In time I am able to experience their emotional and often frantic world with them. I would describe my relationship as being with them, by their side, every step of the way.

I have expertise and knowledge of mental health difficulties such as generalised anxiety disorder, other anxieties, depression, low self-esteem, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. I also have experience in anger management, bereavement, difficulties in family relationships, problems with sleep or eating and much more. I would particularly welcome young people from the LGBT+ community having had specific training with Stonewall.

I have experience of working with Special Educational Needs students, so understand the needs of young people with difficulties such as Dyslexia, ADHD and ASD.

Animal Assisted Therapy

My work also involves animal assisted therapy. Working with me, is my therapy dog, Luna.  Luna is a young female black Labrador who is certified obedience trained. She is currently going through a training programme to become a certified therapy dog. She has a calm temperament and loves being with people. She is happy to have cuddles and play as well as give clients space when needed. Luna will be part of our therapy work, but occasionally she may not be present, due to time off from training.

There are many benefits with animal assisted therapy. Multiple studies have found that being around animals can improve mood and reduce the risk of developing depression. Other studies have found that dogs in particular, can support in decreasing the feelings of anxiety and sadness as well as increasing physical activity.

Spending time with a therapy dog raises endorphins and helps keep people's minds clear of mood-lowering thoughts, which raises their positivity. A therapy dog promotes improvement in human functions such as physical, social, emotional, or cognitive. By providing comfort and affection, therapy dogs play a role in animal-assisted therapy which helps people with or without diagnosed conditions. The presence of an animal provides comfort and a needed distraction from an otherwise challenging time.

By accessing counselling with me, young people can feel safe to explore their difficulties and find ways to cope, which will help them to reach their full potential.

What I can offer:

• A professional, reliable and confidential service
• A warm and friendly welcome
• A safe and comfortable space
• Expertise of working with young people
• A gentle approach working at the pace of the young person
• Acceptance, honesty and non-judgemental approach
• Knowledge about mental health difficulties and much more
• Sessions to fit in around school, college and university hours
• Location near to Derby city centre - bus routes easily accessible
• Free parking
• Wheelchair access
• Enhanced DBS check
• Bupa registered therapist

Some of the benefits of help and support are:

• help to think through choices and make better decisions
• build confidence and self-esteem
• help manage the pressures of school, college or university life
• discover ways to react in a more positive way in certain situations
• help to take control of life and become more assertive
• reduce stress and angry outbursts
• improve school, college or university attendance
• understand and work through the pain of grief

Please get in touch if you feel I can help in any way.

If contacting me via email, please check your Junk/Spam folder for a reply.

Please also feel free to ask any questions.

For more detailed information on my counselling service, please visit my website - www.adolescentwellbeing.co.uk

I am particularly keen to welcome young people from the LGBT community. Having worked in a secondary school, I know how homophobia, biphobia and transphobia can be damaging. I have worked closely with Stonewall to educate students and staff to create an inclusive environment.

Counselling sessions are 1 hour

Payment can be made either by cash or bank transfer and must be paid either in advance or on the day.

Sessions can be booked around school, college and university hours. Evening appointments are available.

I am a Bupa registered therapist. If you have healthcare insurance with Bupa, you may be covered for private counselling.

Here's what some young people say about their experience:

"Thank you. I can't put into words how much you have changed my life. Thank you for listening to me, thank you for not judging me, thank you for being someone I trust and supporting me through my bad days and good days. Because of you I can finally be happy, confident and be the person you saw me to be"

"Thanks to you I can now look in the mirror and not feel ashamed. I can work through panic attacks. I can accept and look at situations in a more positive way, but most importantly, I can now accept myself for who I am"

"I really can't thank you enough for listening, caring and supporting me. You've been my lighthouse in what seemed like a very dark sea and I don't know where I'd be without you"

"Thank you so much. If it wasn't for the counselling sessions, I would have given up ages ago but I kept going. You made me realise that I can do anything, I am good enough. Thank you so much for supporting me and being such an amazing counsellor"

"Thank you so much. You have helped me so much and things are finally getting better. It has meant a lot and it has been a tough journey but it has been so much better having you by my side"

"It has really helped me get through a lot of stress and upset. I've felt better knowing I have someone I can talk to. I've really appreciated everything you have done for me"

"Thank you for your faith in me. I promise to 'be kind to myself' as you always reminded me to be"

"Thank you for everything you have done for me, you have been so supportive and I can't thank you enough"

"Thank you for the inspiration and always believing in me even when sometimes, I didn't believe in myself. I have all you have taught me stored safely in my mind and heart"