We are so pleased to have been able to launch a new counselling service in Deeside for young people, ACIS Youth @ One to One. To help set a scene of why this service is so important, Donna, one of our counsellors, has written an artuicle that helps to set the scene. We hope you enjoy this read!

When I recently asked a group of teenagers whether they knew what counselling was, they were kind of vague, with a sense of, ‘hmmm…, I’ve heard of it, but I’m not sure exactly what it is.’ “It’s really not that complicated,” is what I told them; “counselling is talking with a trained therapist, who won’t be judgey but instead will offer a safe and confidential space to listen to whatever is bothering, hurting, or getting in the way of you making the changes in your life that you want.”

But talking about worries and big feelings is not always easy, especially for younger people. Taking those first steps to counselling can be really hard, particularly when the young person might not want school, friends, or even parents to know that they need some help. Talking with a Youth Counsellor cannot offer magic solutions, but we can look at what a young person would like to change, or understand better, and try to work it out together.

ACIS Youth @ One to One Counselling is a new counselling service which offers young people a safe space to come and talk with a trained counsellor about issues which may be causing distress. We offer 12 free confidential counselling sessions for young people from the Deeside area, who are aged between 12 and 18. Sessions take place at One to One Counselling Service Deeside (a project of Mental Health Aberdeen), based in the centre of Aboyne, and happen at the same time on the same day every week.

To make contact, young people can self-refer, or parents, friends, teachers, or other professionals, can contact the Youth Service, with that young person’s permission. Just phone One to One on 01339 886700 and leave a message on the confidential answer machine, explaining that your call is for a young person. Or text me, Donna, the ACIS Youth Counsellor directly on 07454941906 and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

ACIS Youth Counselling Service has hopes to expand the service it currently offers young people in the Deeside area, so if you have a question, a suggestion or want to know more about the service, please get in touch.