Youthlife

Youthlife supports children and young people who have experienced bereavement, loss and seperation. We deliver a range of programmes to children and young people from the age 5 to 25 years.

Counselling

Counselling is a process where an individual can look more closely at his or her life and explore personal issues that might be worrying them. It is a confidential relationship in a safe and neutral space where the child or young person is encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings without the fear of being judged. The counsellor will assist the child or young person to work through issues while respecting their values and beliefs.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is an effective way of helping young people who may find talking therapies difficult to engage with. It is a holistic approach to psychotherapy that combines the creative process of art making with the theories of psychotherapy. There is no set way that an Art Therapy session unfolds as each person is different. You will meet with an Art Therapist one hour per week and during this time the therapist will facilitate and guide you in self-expression in a way that feels comfortable and safe. Art Therapy is about self-expression and healing, not about making ‘good’ art – therefore, prior experience or skill in Art is not required to successfully engage in Art Therapy.

What issues can you bring?

Therapists work with a wide range of issues such as relationships, bereavement, sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm, sexuality, trauma related to the troubles and many more. There is nothing so awful or so small that cannot be discussed.

Youthlife Therapists

Our counsellors and Art Therapist are all professionally trained and have achieved a minimum qualification of a Dip. in Counselling. They also hold an accredited qualification in counselling children and young people.
Counsellors work to the code of practice of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Assessments

Prior to engaging in any of our programmes you will meet with a Therapist who will take you through an assessment. At this meeting we will gather information from you so that we can ensure that you receive the right support. At this meeting you will also get the opportunity to find out a bit more about us and what it is that we do. After this assessment, a mutually convenient time is agreed with the client and an initial contract is made. Appointments will usually occur once a week and last for up to one hour. Therapy will end at a time agreed between the young person and the counsellor or Art Therapist.

We usually have a waiting list for counselling. We have special guidelines in place to ensure that our service can be of maximum benefit to young people who need it.

Clients who have taken mind altering drugs or alcohol will not be counselled at that time.

If either party has to cancel an appointment we expect them to give at least one days notice (emergencies excepted). We have this policy because some of our therapists do not work in the centre but come in to the centre especially to see clients and we need time to contact them if an appointment has to be cancelled.

Other Services

The following services are also available at the Youthlife Centre

•  Peer Mentoring
• ‘Shared Experience’ workshops
• Outreach services in communities and schools

Code of Ethics

Youthlife is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and adheres to its policies and procedures. Copies of these can be obtained from the Youthlife office.
Your Views

It is important to us that we hear the views of our clients. Upon completion of counselling we will ask you to complete a counselling evaluation form. We encourage all our clients to complete this form. All evaluation forms are kept completely confidential.
We also have a complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure is available on request

For further information contact Youthlife Manager, Caroline Temple, at:

Youthlife
23 Bishop Street
Derry
BT48 6PR
Tel: 028 7137 7227
www.youthlife.org
e-mail: manager@youthlife.org