'Core Model' or 'Solo'
At Teen Counselling we support Young People by working with them, either through what we call the 'Core Model' or as a 'Solo'
The Core Model
Parents/carers attend one member of the counselling team for parental support sessions and the young person attends a different member of the counselling team for counselling/therapy sessions. Each piece of work although separate can inform and enhance the other. At times the counselling/therapy team comes together for a conjoint session whereby both counsellors/therapists and parents and young people meet together for a joint session. The way in which a family is supported is very individual and needs led.
Solo
Both the young person and the parents attend the same Therapist/counsellor, the young person for Therapy/counselling and parents for parental support sessions and reviews. The decision to support a family through the Core Model or as a Solo is made by both the intake team and by therapists/counsellors in the initial session. It will depend on the needs of the young person and the direction that the work is going to take. The regularity of sessions will be decided on between the counsellor/therapist and both the young person and parents and will be directed by the young persons’ needs.
Group Programmes
We also work with parents through the following group programmes
The Parent Plus Adolescent Programme
The Parents Plus Adolescent Programme was developed and evaluated by John Sharry and Carol Fitzpatrick at Parents Plus, Ireland. It is an evidence based parenting course that builds on parental capacity to enhance and improve communication and reduce conflict between young people and their parents. Using DVD role play scenarios and interviews with parents and young people parents are supported to expand their parental tool box and improve their relationship with their young person. Within the group context participants are able to share and learn from each other. This programme is run at different times of the year. Please refer to our Training & Events page for dates that this programme is being run
Non-Violent Resistance Programme (NVR)
The Non-Violent Resistance Programme is a group /individual programme to support parents to parent their young person who is displaying aggressive, violent, controlling or risk taking behaviour. This programme is run at different times of the year. Please refer to our Training & Events page for dates that this programme is being run.
What issues do we work with?
Teen counselling works with the wide range of issues that young people and their families/carers experience at adolescence including:
behavioural problems at home, in school or in the community
- emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, low mood and self-harm
- family breakdown
- bereavement
- trauma
- bullying
- substance abuse
- experience of being in care
- gender and sexuality
Are we the right service?
The first port of call is the HUB team where our clinical admin secretaries can guide you in relation to your query. They may pass you on to the intake team for a more detailed discussion of the referral in advance of your making the referral
What happens after I make a referral?
The intake team comprising Fidelma Beirne, Senior Social Worker, and Maura Leahy, Senior Psychotherapist, make a decision on whether or not Teen Counselling is the appropriate service for the young person and family. The completed referral form is processed at an intake meeting with the following possible outcomes:
- Accepted: on waiting list
- Not accepted: with feedback to referrer with reason why
- Further clarification required: this may take the form of a phone call to referrer, a meeting with referrer or a meeting with parents
Is teen counselling appropriate for every young person?
Our aim is to work with as many young people and families as possible. However, there are limitations to the service we can provide. The following are examples of when we suggest a more specialist service.
- Young people who are at a severe level of difficulty where a more specialist service may be appropriate at that time
- Young people for whom talk therapy is not appropriate, or challenging to engage in, due to a communication difficulty or limitation caused by for example, developmental or intellectual disability
- Direct referrals of sexual abuse- we do not take referrals of young people who are awaiting assessment of an allegation of sexual abuse/assault. Where sexual abuse/assault is the primary reason for referral we recommend a more specialist service
We are not crisis service. Young people experiencing active suicidal ideation or engaging in significant self-harm may require a more intensive intervention to keep them safe. We advise GP, CAMHS and Pieta House for these referralsÂ