My Blog

The planned social media ban for under-16s, due to be introduced in spring 2027, has started an important conversation about young people's online lives and digital wellbeing. I was grateful to be invited by Gayle Lofthouse to speak on BBC Radio Leeds about what these proposed changes could mean for families, and how parents and carers can best support the young people in their lives. Social media can help young people stay connected, express themselves and explore their inte

Changes to social media access can feel uncertain for young people and the adults supporting them. With a proposed under-16 social media ban expected to affect platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and others, many parents are wondering how to help their children prepare for the changes. I was grateful to be featured in The Yorkshire Times to share advice on how parents and carers can support young people through this transition and help them feel understood during

It's that time of year again where young people are sitting their GCSEs and A-Levels. Meanwhile, many parents may be struggling to cope with exam stress, and not being sure how to best help and support their children. A recent study linked academic pressure on teens to an increased risk of depression and self-harm. The research, by University College London (UCL), found these mental health issues could persist into adulthood. In my experience as a young person's counsellor an

I was really proud to be invited to speak on BBC Radio Leeds about helping parents and young people manage exam stress. Having worked with young people and families for almost two decades, it's a subject that I feel incredibly passionate about. Exam season can bring pressure, anxiety and worry, not just for young people but for the parents supporting them too. During the interview, I shared practical tips for young people on maintaining a healthy study-life balance and lookin

Exam season can be a stressful time for both young people and the adults supporting them. As GCSEs and A-Levels approach, many parents and carers wonder how they can provide the right support while also managing their own worries. I was grateful to be featured in The Yorkshire Times to discuss this important topic and share advice on supporting young people through the pressures of exam season. One of the key messages I shared is that looking after your own wellbeing is just

Do I need to do anything in preparation for my first introduction session ? Whether your first session is online, face to face or via telephone, it is perfectly natural to have some anxious feelings or some nervous energy. To help with this you may choose to write down some questions in advance for your therapist, these may range from issues that you wish to discuss to goals for the future. If you are feeling nervous, I encourage clients to share this so that I can help to

I’m proud to share that I’ve contributed a chapter to the new PCCS book, People Not Pathology: Freeing Therapy from the Medical Model (ISBN 9781915220233). Edited by Pete Sanders and Janet Tolan, the book brings together leading voices who challenge the automatic medicalising ofhuman distressing explore what genuinely demedicalised therapy looks like in practise. What the book is about The central idea is simple: people are not diagnoses . The collection examines how therap

Back where it all began (2006-Joseph Priestly College) Goal- Diploma in Counselling So, at 26 years old, I knew my heart was with pursuing a career in counselling, alongside that was a passion to work with children and young people. I myself had benefitted as a young person from strong role models and counselling, I had grand aspirations to give something back (and in my own way change the world)! I’m guessing I must have done something right when I was accepted for a Coun