About me
I'm Sam, a child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counsellor based in Bury St Edmunds. I work with children and young people aged 6–18, and I try to make counselling feel as comfortable and natural as possible. I want to really see and hear the young person in front of me, understand things from their point of view and take time to work out together what might be helpful for them.
Beginning counselling
I don't expect a young person to walk through the door and immediately start talking about how they feel. For some, talking feels very natural. For others, we might draw on other strengths or ways of expressing things that work for them.
We might talk, draw, play a game, listen to music, make slime, or do something creative. This can help young people to feel more at ease and give them different ways to communicate and express themselves. Often, it is through ordinary moments of being together that a young person begins to feel more able to be themselves.
I tend to be quite relaxed in the way I work. There is room for humour and having a bit of fun, as well as space for the things that are more difficult. I enjoy getting to know young people and taking an interest in who they are, what they enjoy and what matters to them.
The first few sessions can sometimes feel a little daunting, particularly for a young person who hasn't experienced counselling before. But once that initial hurdle has passed, many young people start to enjoy coming and feel increasingly at ease.
They don't have to arrive with something specific to talk about. As the relationship develops and trust grows, things that matter to them can begin to emerge naturally and safely. I won't try to rush, force or direct things.
Finding a way that works for them
Talking is important, but it isn't the only way young people communicate.
We sometimes use drawing, painting, music, games, clay, crafts, sand-tray work, imagery, movement or metaphor. These are just some of the ways we can explore difficult or complex feelings, allowing them to be externalised, held, felt and worked through.
Some young people will want to talk for most of a session. Others may find it easier to do or make something alongside me. I try to follow their interests and find an approach that feels right for them.
When things are difficult
Young people come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there is something quite clear that is troubling them and at other times, it can be harder to put into words what is going on.
I've worked with young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, grief and loss, trauma, changing or strained family or peer relationships, low confidence and emotional difficulties. I've also supported young people affected by substance misuse, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Sometimes what a young person is struggling with shows up more in what they do than in what they say. They might be angry, withdrawn, avoiding things, struggling at school or getting into trouble. I try to look beyond the behaviour and understand what life is really like for them.
Young people are unique and I don't expect two young people with similar difficulties to need the same thing. Getting to know the young person and understanding their particular circumstances is important. Some difficulties take time to make sense of, and often there isn't a simple answer or solution. My focus is to stay alongside the young person as we work through what is difficult and see what begins to emerge.
For parents and carers
I know that choosing counselling for your child is a big decision, and you may have lots of questions before deciding whether it is right for them.
I'll look to understand the wider picture and hear what you've noticed, while also making sure your child has a space that feels like their own and that they can tell their story in their own way.
I recognise that parents and carers are a vital part of a young person's support network. While respecting their privacy and helping them develop a sense of independence, I aim to keep parents appropriately involved and supported throughout the counselling process.
I offer a free 20-minute initial conversation with parents or carers. This gives you an opportunity to tell me a little about your child, ask any questions and get a sense of me and how I work. It also gives us a chance to think about whether I might be a good fit for your young person. There is no expectation that you need to commit to ongoing counselling.
A little about me
Outside counselling, I enjoy keeping active, travelling, snowboarding, cooking, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. I also have a longstanding interest in creativity and nature.
I genuinely enjoy working with young people. I like getting to know what they enjoy, what matters to them and seeing them grow through the pressures and challenges in their lives.
Contact
My counselling space is centrally located in Bury St Edmunds.
If you'd like to have a chat about whether counselling might be suitable for your child or teenager, please get in touch:
sam@storylinecounselling.co.uk
I'm very happy to have an initial conversation to help you consider what the best next step may be for you and your child.
Training, qualifications & experience
I'm a fully registered and accredited member of UKCP.
I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling from the University of Cambridge, where my training included child development, integrative counselling, neuroscience, and the use of arts and play.
I have also recently completed a Master of Education (MEd) in Transforming Practice at the University of Cambridge, which included research into how counselling can be made more inclusive and welcoming of under-represented groups of young people.
My approach is integrative and draws particularly on Person-Centred, Attachment and Psychodynamic thinking. I continue to undertake professional development and safeguarding training alongside my counselling work.
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent more than ten years working with young people in the youth work and charity sector. I've worked with young people and families in a wide range of settings and circumstances, giving me a good understanding of the many factors that can play a part in shaping a young person's life and the world around them.
Since training as a counsellor, I've worked across secondary schools, specialist educational settings, alternative provision and community settings. My counselling experience includes individual work, group work and bereavement counselling.
I've worked with young people who have found it difficult to trust adults or open up. This has taught me a lot about the importance of building a relationship and not expecting someone to open up simply because they have been given the opportunity to talk.
I have a particular professional interest in working with adolescent boys, partly because I think some boys can struggle to relate to the kinds of support that are offered to them. As a male counsellor, I've found that some boys seem to appreciate having someone they can relate to, although I don't assume this will be the case for everyone. I try to meet each young person as an individual and find a way of working that feels natural for them.
I've worked with young people in a range of circumstances and with very different needs. What has stayed with me is how important it is to see the person behind whatever has brought them to counselling — to take them seriously, understand what life is like for them and really get to know them beyond the difficulties they are facing.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I aim to keep my fees straightforward and transparent:
- Free initial conversation – up to 20 minutes
A chance for parents or carers to tell me a little about their child, ask any questions and get a sense of me and how I work. There is no expectation that you need to commit to ongoing counselling. - £60 per counselling session – weekdays
50-minute session - £70 per counselling session – weekends
50-minute session - £60 per parent review meeting
50–60 minutes - £60 per hour – school and professional meetings
I also have a small number of reduced-fee places available for families who may find the standard fee difficult. If this would be helpful, please feel free to mention it when we have our initial conversation and we can discuss what might be possible.
When I work
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Further information
My Theoretical Orientation:
My approach is Integrative, informed primarily by Person Centred, Attachment Theory and Psychodynamic thinking. I use talking, arts and play to support the relationship building and communication.
Contact:
My counselling space is located centrally in Bury St. Edmunds. If you would like to arrange to discuss your concerns regarding your child or young person, please contact me via email with your name and preferred contact details.
