Our servicesServices for children & young peopleAdolescent boys counselling

Adolescent Boys Counselling

Adolescent boys counselling provides a 12-week, one-to-one counselling programme for boys aged 11-17 that have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse. Our specialist adolescent boys counsellors, are here to support the young person in coming to terms with and coping with the impact of domestic abuse. They are here to listen, discuss and enable processing of their experiences in a trauma-informed space, through age-appropriate methods such as talking or activities.

Adolescent boys can experience both short and long-term emotional and behaviour effects as a result of living with domestic abuse, and everyone will react differently. Within one-to-one counselling, sessions will be guided by the person to ensure support remains survivor centred.

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Who is Adolescent Boys Counselling for? 

Adolescent Boys Counselling is for young men aged 11-17, who live in Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe, and have experienced, witnessed or have trauma linked to domestic abuse.

Your experiences and trauma are individual to you, and we support you based on the personalised support that you need.

When and where is Adolescent Boys Counselling run? 

Our Adolescent Boys Counselling programme is made up 12 weekly, hour long, one-to-one sessions, with yourself and a highly-qualified male counsellor.

We adopt a flexible approach with our one-to-one sessions, and can offer support in a number of different venues including schools, children centres, community spaces or online.

Where possible, we try to meet you where you are. We recognise that coming out of school and travelling to sessions can be a big disruption in yours and your parent’s day. By being flexible with our approach, we aim to minimise disruption to your day as much as possible.

We have strong relationships with many schools across Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe, working closely with their safeguarding teams to create a safe and secure place for one-to-one sessions.

What will I gain from Adolescent Boys Counselling? 

Adolescent Boys Counselling aims to help you move past your experiences and its impact to develop and thrive. It does this through:

  • Giving space and permission for you to talk about any challenges and the impact of those experiences – breaking down the stigma and secrecy of domestic abuse
  • Offering the context and language to your experiences of domestic abuse, through psychoeducational support around healthy relationships, trauma and emotional regulations
  • Reducing levels of anxiety and distress
  • Improving sleep patterns, which in hand can improve concentration at school
  • Increase levels of confidence and self-esteem to help them thrive and develop positive aspirations
  • Building a trusted relationship with a professional adult and identifying a support network to share your thoughts and feelings with
  • Show you that your have a choice, and that your voice is heard

How does it work?

Receiving support through Rising Sun’s Adolescent Boys Counselling Service is completely free for those who have experienced, witnessed or been impacted by domestic abuse. If you live in Canterbury, Ashford or Folkestone & Hythe, are aged between 11-17, you can be referred into our service by a professional, parent or family member.

Your referral will be processed by our team, and a full and detailed assessment will be undertaken by our Therapeutic Lead to gain a thorough understanding of your experiences and personal trauma. Once matched with one of our Adolescent Boys counsellors, you will be placed onto a waiting list to receive your counselling.

When a space becomes available, you will be invited to start your counselling. You will initially be offered 12 weekly one-to-one sessions, lasting 60 minutes each, which as much as possible will be in-person. If after 12 sessions yourself and your counsellor feel that you need further support, your weekly sessions can continue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does counselling have to be in-person?

Nope! Counselling is made up of weekly sessions, and these can be in-person, or they can a conversation over WhatsApp, a phone call or a video call over Facetime. Your 12-weeks of support can also be a mixture of in-person and online chats depending on your availability, plans and how comfortable you are with your mentor.

Where do counselling sessions take place?

We adopt a flexible approach with our one-to-one sessions, and can offer support in a number of different venues including schools, children centres, community spaces or online.

Where possible, we try to meet you where you are. We recognise that coming out of school and travelling to sessions can be a big disruption in yours and your parent’s day. By being flexible with our approach, we aim to minimise disruption to your day as much as possible.

We have strong relationships with many schools across Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe, working closely with their safeguarding teams to create a safe and secure place for one-to-one sessions.

How do you work safely with young men?

Rising Sun has a Safeguarding Policy in place for working with children and young people which each of our facilitators follows. Our highly-trained facilitators are experienced at recognising, recording and reporting safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels. If a safeguarding concern should arise, a member of staff will inform the school/college safeguarding team, parent and a Rising Sun designated safeguarding lead immediately.

How long is the waiting list?

The waiting list for our Adolescent Boys Counselling is 3-6 months.

How many counselling sessions can I have?

You will initially be offered 12 weekly sessions, lasting roughly an hour each.

If after 12 sessions yourself and your counsellor feel that you need further support, your weekly sessions can continue for an agreed period of time.

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