Spectra - LGBTQI Counselling for Young People

Info:

FREE ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELLING FOR LGBTQI+ YOUNG PEOPLE IN MERTON

DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THESE COUNSELLING SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE VIA ZOOM

This is a free service offering up to 12 individual counselling sessions for young people aged between 13 and 18 and their famlilies, who find it difficult to access counselling from non-LGBTQI+ agencies.. It's provided by Spectra under the Uni-­T project, which aims to provide community-­based and peer-­led services for LGBTQI+ young people.

During pre-­puberty and adolescence, young people are exploring and forming their identities, they can change their minds, and/ or become more certain of their identities. We aim to provide a space to explore this pivotal stage of life between childhood and adulthood.

This service offers a confidential, non-­judgmental and non-­stigmatising space to explore feelings and emotions at a young person's own pace. The dialogue between counsellor and young person can be verbal as well as explored through the creative media. Creativity can be helpful in accessing parts of oneself that have often been too painful to acknowledge cognitively. Working with the arts can offer ways to take a step back from the problem to be able to reflect on it from a different angle.

The service is community-­based and peer-­led and facilitated by an experienced counsellor/ creative therapist. The therapeutic relationship gives the young person an experience of a positive relationship which is affirming of their sexual and gender identities, supporting their exploration and expression in a safe, containing environment.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Young people wishing to register with the service should:

• Identify as LGBTQI+ and/or be questioning or wanting to explore their gender/sexual orientation
• Be aged between 13 and 18 years’ old
• Live, study, work or socialise in the London borough of Merton
• Consent to and attend an initial counselling assessment to make sure counselling is the most appropriate support for them
• Consent to and attend regular weekly sessions,
• Not be in therapy anywhere else whilst receiving counselling at Spectra
• Family members of LGBTQI+ young people may also be considered for support on a case-­by-­case basis

WAYS OF MAKING A REFERAL

You can refer a young person that you know may benefit from this service or you may wish to share this with them and for them to self-­refer.

Email: Uni-T@spectra-london.org.uk
Website: https://spectra-­london.org.uk

We'll get back to you/ or the young person within 7 working days to arrange a free initial assessment. This will be a chance for the young person to talk through what has brought them to counselling and find out if the service is right for them. If the young person decides to go ahead, they will join our waiting list to see a counsellor.

DID YOU KNOW?

As part of the Uni-­T project, we run a peer-­led LGBTQI+ youth group to combat isolation so young people feel less alone in their feelings/ experiences. They will meet like-­minded young people, develop friendships and a sense of community that can support and encourage sharing of resources for well-­being and resilience.

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