Growing up is complicated. Feeling understood shouldn't be.
Being a teenager isn't always easy. Neither is being a parent. Anxiety, friendships, school pressures, relationships, identity, family changes and difficult life experiences can all affect how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes it can be hard to explain what's happening. Sometimes the people closest to us don't know how to help. At Holistically Human™, we believe everyone deserves to feel heard, understood and supported. Our qualified counsellors offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space to explore difficult feelings, make sense of experiences and find a way forward. We take a Whole Human approach to mental health, recognising that our emotional wellbeing is shaped by our relationships, experiences, bodies and the world around us.
Qualified counselling: £65 per session
A limited number of more affordable appointments may also be available with supervised trainee counsellors, subject to suitability.
Support that starts with understanding you
No two young people are the same. And neither are their experiences.
Some young people know exactly what’s troubling them. Others just know that something doesn’t feel right.
You might be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, angry, lonely or disconnected. You might be struggling with friendships, confidence, relationships or things that have happened in the past.
You don’t need to have a diagnosis or know what to say before coming to counselling.
You can come exactly as you are.
Together, we’ll create space to understand what’s happening, explore what matters to you and work towards feeling more confident, connected and supported.
What can counselling help with?
Our counsellors can support young people experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including:
- Anxiety, worry and panic
- Low mood, sadness and depression
- Low confidence and self-esteem
- Friendship difficulties, bullying and social pressures
- School, college and exam-related stress
- Family relationships, separation and change
- Difficult or unhealthy relationships
- Trauma and distressing experiences
- Grief, loss and bereavement
- Identity, belonging and feeling different
- Emotional overwhelm, anger and difficulty managing feelings
- Understanding and navigating neurodivergent experiences
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Sometimes having someone independent to talk to can make a meaningful difference.
A different way of looking at mental health
We believe mental health is about more than symptoms.
How we feel is influenced by our relationships, our experiences, our physical wellbeing and the environments in which we live, learn and grow.
That’s why our approach is relational, trauma-informed and focused on the whole person.
We look beyond what's happening to explore what might be underneath it.
Rather than simply asking how to stop a difficult feeling, we take time to understand where it comes from, what it might be communicating and what could help.
Our counsellors work collaboratively, at a pace that feels right for you, drawing on appropriate therapeutic approaches to support emotional awareness, resilience, healthier relationships and lasting change.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
We believe in understanding the individual.
For young people: a space that's yours.
Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who isn’t a parent, teacher or friend.
Someone who isn’t going to judge you, tell you how you should feel or expect you to have all the answers.
Counselling gives you space to talk about whatever matters to you, whether that’s something happening right now, something from the past or feelings you don’t quite understand yet.
You don’t have to share everything straight away.
You don’t even have to know where to begin
We work with you to identify whats getting in the way of living fully
Empowering you to make positive changes in a space that’s non-judgemental and accepting of your choices.
We'll work it out together, at your pace
Your counsellor will explain confidentiality and its limits, including when information might need to be shared to help keep you or someone else safe.
What happens when you get in touch?
We’ve created a way for you to access counselling help in three easy steps. Simple and streamlined, but with a human touch.
Step 1
Fill out our enquiry form
To get started, simply fill in our enquiry form with a bit of information about what you’re looking for.
Step 2
Speak to a real person
We’ll arrange an initial assessment to understand your needs, answer questions and explore which counsellor may be the right fit.
Step 3
Find the right counsellor
We consider your needs, preferences, availability and the experience of our practitioners when recommending a counsellor.
For young people under 18, we also consider age, suitability, consent and safeguarding needs.
Step 1
Set up an account
Answer a few quick questions about why you’re seeking counselling.
For your peace of mind our platform is safe, secure and totally confidential. Read more about that here
Step 2
Have an assessment
You’ll have a consultation* with a qualified counselling professional to assess your needs.
Know what you are already looking for? Browse our directory to find the counsellor or therapist that’s right for you.
*A non-refundable fee of £25 applies.
NB: All low cost counselling must go through an assessment.
Step 3
Match & book!
We’ll match you to a selection of our hand-picked counsellors for you to choose from.
All you have to do is to book & pay for your first session with your chosen counsellor using the online diary to start your therapeutic journey**.
**A Counselling Contract will be sent to you in advance.
NB: This is a working agreement. There is no commitment to a fixed number of sessions.
For parents: when you know something isn't quite right
Watching your child struggle can be incredibly difficult.
You might notice changes in their mood, confidence, friendships, behaviour or motivation. They may be withdrawing, becoming more anxious or finding it harder to manage everyday life.
Perhaps you’ve tried talking, reassuring or finding solutions, but nothing seems to be helping.
And sometimes, despite your best intentions, your teenager simply doesn’t want to talk to you.
That doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Having an independent, trusted professional to talk to can give young people space to explore feelings they may struggle to share at home.
At Holistically Human, we work sensitively with young people and, where appropriate, their parents or carers, recognising the importance of relationships, trust and emotional safety.
We can also offer counselling to parents who would benefit from their own space to explore the challenges of parenting, family relationships and supporting a young person through difficult times.
Our aim is not to blame, label or judge. It’s to help people feel understood and supported.
Working together to support the whole young person
At Holistically Human™, we believe that supporting a young person’s emotional wellbeing means understanding the whole person — not just the challenges they may be experiencing.
Education, friendships, family relationships, confidence, identity and emotional wellbeing are all interconnected. That’s why we value working alongside organisations that share our commitment to helping children and young people flourish.
Aspire2Shine – Supporting the Whole Child
We’re delighted to be connected with Aspire2Shine, a holistic education and wellbeing organisation founded by Alison Stewart, who brings over 30 years of experience in education and senior leadership.
Aspire2Shine offers much more than traditional tutoring. Through personalised academic support, mentoring, coaching and access to wellbeing practitioners, they help children and young people develop confidence, resilience and the foundations to thrive.
Their services include academic tutoring from primary through to A-level, SEND and neurodiversity-informed support, home education and EOTAS provision, and mentoring for young people navigating educational and personal challenges.
Our shared philosophy recognises that emotional wellbeing and learning are deeply connected. By understanding each young person’s individual needs and recognising when different forms of support may be helpful, we can help families access more joined-up, holistic care.
Discover Aspire2Shine: www.aspire2shine.co.uk
Because every young person deserves to feel understood, supported and able to flourish.
Professional support, with options to make counselling more accessible
We believe good-quality mental health support should be both professional and accessible.
Qualified counselling — £65 per session
Our qualified counsellors provide professional, compassionate support tailored to the individual.
Affordable counselling — limited availability
We also offer a limited number of lower-cost appointments with trainee counsellors who work under appropriate professional supervision.
These appointments are subject to availability and clinical suitability. Not every young person or presenting difficulty will be appropriate for a trainee placement.
We’ll always aim to recommend support that reflects your needs rather than simply the lowest-cost option.
Our most frequently asked questions...
What age can someone start counselling with Holistically Human?
Our young people’s counselling service supports teenagers aged 14 and over, subject to an initial assessment and an appropriate practitioner match.
Does my teenager need my permission to attend counselling?
For young people under 16, we consider their ability to understand and consent to counselling, alongside relevant legal and safeguarding requirements. Young people aged 16 and 17 can generally consent to their own treatment, although individual circumstances still matter.
We’ll explain the consent process before counselling begins.
We take all the guesswork out of the search by only accepting counselling professionals that meet our standards and those of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Our counsellors and trainee counsellors who are close to qualifying, and all hold recognised qualifications from training providers such as CPCAB. Regardless of experience, therapy type or qualification level, all our practitioners are insured, supervised, committed to ongoing training and DBS checked.
They also understand the ethics around privacy and confidentiality, are competent with regards to Data Protection laws, and as approved members of the BACP, adhere to the membership framework and are fully committed to working safely and ethically.
Will I know what my child talks about?
Counselling offers young people a private space, and confidentiality is an important part of building trust.
We explain confidentiality and its limits at the outset. Information may need to be shared where there are safeguarding concerns or other legal or professional reasons.
We encourage appropriate communication with parents and carers while respecting the young person’s privacy and autonomy.
What if my teenager doesn't want counselling?
It’s important that young people feel involved in the decision to attend. We wouldn’t want counselling to feel like something being done to them.
If your teenager isn’t ready, we can explore whether counselling or guidance for you as a parent might be helpful.
How many sessions will they need?
There isn’t a fixed number. Some people benefit from shorter-term support, while others prefer or need longer-term counselling.
Your counsellor will discuss this with you and review progress together.
Is counselling available online or in person?
We offer online and in-person counselling options, depending on practitioner availability, the young person’s needs and whether the format is clinically appropriate.
What if we need more specialist support?
An initial assessment helps us understand whether our service is suitable. Where a young person needs more specialist or intensive support, we’ll explain this and, where possible, signpost to appropriate services.
You don't have to have everything figured out to ask for help.
Whether you’re a young person finding things difficult, a parent worried about your child or someone navigating challenges within family life, we’re here to listen.
Holistically Human™
Transforming mental health, one whole person at a time.
We recognise that support looks different for everyone. You may be drawn to movement-based practices, talking therapy, or body-based work depending on what you’re experiencing. Our directories are designed to help you find the right approach — whether that’s working with a movement practitioner, connecting with a counsellor, or exploring hands-on, body-based support.
Looking for talking support? → Mind (counsellors)
Prefer hands-on or body-based work? → Body practitioners
Prefer movement to improve mental health? → Movement practitioners