Sophie Christie

Hello. Being a teenager can be hard, and having a teenager can be hard too. Its okay. If you are worried, perhaps it's time to get help. Life is particularly challenging at present and its never to early to seek support. I am BACP Accredited CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) Counsellor and have worked in young peoples mental health for over 10 years.

By reading this you have taken the first and bravest step in what can feel like a daunting world. You or your child are may worried about Covid, lockdown, exams, the future...not to mention the day to day stresses that occur on top of that. The cup of resilience might be empty, which might be showing itself in outburst, low mood, controlling behaviours, anxiety, anger....its all normal and completely understandable. These a just a few of the reasons young people can find themselves needing to talk at present, they are understandable feelings that will have an impact on wellbeing and family life.

I am qualified to help understand these things, and can arm young people with the tools to help them for life. Did you know that areas of our brain associated with emotions and memories (the pre-frontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus) are particularly plastic and all forms of therapy, regardless of theoretical orientation, can be successful in fostering neural growth and integration Therapy and coaching can all be thought of as viable means of forging lasting neuroplastic change, as well as emotional and behavioural change. Change is entirely possible because of neuroplasticity.

I say to my clients that you need to get out of your comfort zone to rewire your brain. But don't worry, you can do it incrementally. Instead of diving off the high diving board when you don't know how to swim, try jumping off the edge of the pool into the deep water ...just out of your comfort zone. If you wait until you're completely confident to try something new, you will not change and grow as quickly. You NEED mild stress in order to change. Let therapy be the first jump into the pool of water.