Introducing ‘Teenage Anxiety Counselling’, a private service for secondary school-aged children, students and young adults in Belfast.
Get accessible and personalised therapy in a relaxed setting in Belfast with a therapist who has thirty years experience in a school pastoral setting.
Providing you with a safe space to relax and talk…
All your appointments will take place in my soothing studio environment, fully private, complimentary herbal tea, water and individualised care. This can include candles, lo-fi music to make you feel at home and comfortable.
In-person appointments…
My therapy room is conveniently located in Belfast between the Lisburn and Malone Roads.
Malone Road bus route: 8B (get off at Marlborough Park).
Lisburn Road bus route: 9A (get off at Cranmore Park).
Train: Adelaide Station, Lisburn Road.
“You can purchase my self-care planners on Amazon.co.uk if you don’t want to come in person...”
My approach…
I am a therapist, based in Belfast, who specialises in helping teenage anxiety. I have worked in a school pastoral setting for thirty years. I am also a mother of two teenage boys. I can assist you and your child with problems faced exclusively by teenagers. Now more than ever, young people feel pressured by parents, friends, relatives and society to succeed in all areas. This can lead to extreme anxiety and this can manifest in many ways…….lack of sleep, eating problems, physical exhaustion, mood swings, school refusal. Let me help you connect back to a positive mind-set, more healthy relationships and a happier, active life.
My services…
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Teenage Talking Therapy
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Life Coaching & School Careers Guidance and UCAS
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Behaviour Management
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School Challenges & Academic Pressure
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Anxiety Management
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How to Manage Mean People - for Teens
Meet your therapist…
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Lorraine Agass BA(Hons) Degree, Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Dip.Hyp.CS.
I have been a teacher for thirty years working with teenagers in a pastoral setting in schools. I am also a therapist specialising in the problems that teenagers encounter every day. My knowledge from problems within schools and peer groups give me a unique insight compared to other therapists. My career and life experience have enabled me to be ‘always learning’.
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The Therapy Room Environment
The space I use is calm and reflective. I use colour to evoke a sense of peace and quiet. It is a safe space to talk. You will feel at ease with your surroundings. Therapy doesn’t aim to establish a hierarchical relationship between you and your therapist, which is why my therapy room is a neutral environment devoid of any personal belongings. I also give each client a free ‘Pamper Pack’.
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Theraputic Art Sessions
Using clay or paint we create an art work together in the hour. We can chat about issues while working or can concentrate on the method of making as a mindfulness excercise.
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality” - The Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carrol
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Anxiety
When teenagers are highly anxious, they are operating at an emotional, rather than cognitive level, and one can engage and direct their creative imagination towards what is useful for them. Anxious teenagers are using their imagination to create possible catastrophic scenarios, which generates even more anxiety and hence more adrenaline, which can then spiral into panic.
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Continuing Professional Development
As a teacher of thirty years, ‘every day is a school day’. Education can change your perspective and energy on almost everything. I love researching. I will use my wide range of interests and research skills to build a personlised programme to help you on your journey. My Continuing Professional Development is extensive and wide-ranging.
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Ongoing Study, C.P.D and Courses
Prince’s Trust Level 3 Diploma in Hypnotherapy & Counselling Skills 603/6871/8
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism - Oaklands College
Combined Psychology and CBT Diploma
Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma
Mental Health Champions Foundation- children’s mental health training course for education professionals - Place 2Be
NEU Conference - Dr. Noel Purdy ‘Growing Up Online’
‘Speak Out’ A course in Confidence and Communication. Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Access NI Checked - PSNI
GDPR - Data Protection Training updated yearly
Mental Toughness ATL Union
Chat Share Think - Online Safety for Teens, PSNI
Taking Boys Seriously, Dr. Ken Harland, Ulster University
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Post Graduate Certificate in Education - 30+ years teaching in secondary schools
Careers Teacher 20+ years
UCAS Mentor 10+ years
Head of Sixth Form Pastoral Roll
Certificate in Leadership - Education Authority
Epi-pen and first aid trained
Autism Awareness Training - Middletown Centre for Autism
Suicide Prevention Awareness Training - Chrysalis Courses
“The Art Room” - using creativity as a tool to support children’s mental health. Place 2Be
Board of Governors - 2 years
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Professional Bodies
Foundation Degree - Manchester Metropolitan University
BA (Hons) Degree - Ulster University
Post Graduate Certificate in Education - Middlesex University, London
Certificate in Leadership Skills - Stranmillis College, Belfast
National Hypnotherapy Society - Student Member
Public Indemnity Insurance
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
Prince’s Trust - member
The British Association of Art Therapists - associate member
National Education Union
“Place 2Be” - HRH Princess of Wales’ Children’s Mental Health Training
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Interests & Hobbies
It is important for everyone to pursue interests and hobbies outside their working, home or school life. I have teenagers who have been through the demanding NI education system so I have a first hand awareness of all these processes and university entrance, as well as the many teens I support and guide in my daily life in a school environment. I love dogs and have three dogs who I recently took on a road trip round France. I love travelling and especailly love France and Italy.
What to expect…
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Week 1 - Do it.
Scheduling your first therapy session requires resolve — to admit you may need some help or that you have a condition, symptoms, or challenges to work through — and self-awareness to recognize you need a little help.
So if you’ve made your first talking session already, you should know just how much strength you truly have.
Your first session will probably involve your therapist asking you a lot of questions about you, how you cope, and your symptoms . You may also chat about goals for therapy, expectations, and more.
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Week 2 - Build it.
Therapy can involve unearthing many things your brain has worked hard to bury — the memories and feelings you may not have been up to exploring on your own. As you sit down for first-time therapy, you may find the floodgates opening… whether you mean them to or not.
This is pretty much to be expected. Still, it can feel surprising, especially if you find yourself opening up to a stranger in ways you haven’t been able to open up to others in your life.
Don’t let it scare you. Being open and candid with your therapist is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
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Week 3 - Grow it.
Be kind to yourself. Therapy can be emotional; you’re allowed to have big feelings.
Tell your therapist why you’re there. There’s no reason to be vague.
Be willing to reflect on your own thoughts and behaviors. A good therapist will challenge you to look inward.
Close your session with a plan. Do you have homework before your next session? Some new behavior to try? When will that session be? You may want to write it down or throw a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
Give therapy at least a few tries. It does get easier, and the first session is often just about providing background info and discussing your needs.
Questions you can (and should) ask me……
Q: Why won’t you just tell me what I should do to change things?
A: In order to truly remedy a problem, the client has to identify it and find solutions that will work for them. Therapy is really about empowering you and giving you the tools to work on the problem yourself.
Q: What happens during the first session? Do we dive in right away?
A: “During the first session, you’ll fill out some general intake forms. Then, I will talk about payment and billing, review consent, discuss the limits of confidentiality, and answer any questions.
Next, I ask about preferred names, get a full background — including family and medical history, and ask about your reasons for coming in. I also like to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your goals. During all of this, we also work on our rapport and building trust.
Q: Are you going to tell my parents / school / job what I say?
A: This is a tricky one. You’re entitled to confidentiality with your therapist, but there are a few exceptions.
The law is, if there is abuse or neglect, then I must report it. If a child is threatening self-harm or to harm someone else, then I must tell their parents. If it’s an adult, I must call emergency services.
I am trained in GDPR yearly. What is the GDPR in simple terms?
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Legislation. It is a European Union (EU) law that came into effect on 25th May 2018. GDPR governs the way in which we can use, process, and store personal data (information about an identifiable, living person).
Q: Do I have to tell you about my childhood? Why?
A: Your childhood is very important because your thoughts, feelings, and decisions are affected by the environment you grew up in and the things that you’ve seen.
How you handled things and how you saw other adults react to things directly affects how you learned to cope and react to things.
Q: How will we measure progress?
A: You and I should set goals and expectations for our work together. These could be short-term or long-term goals. We will check in on these goals every few weeks to see how they are going.
Q: How long will therapy take?
It really depends on your reasons for therapy, the complexity of the situation, and what the appropriate treatment plan will be. After 3 weeks, you and I should evaluate where you’re at, and we will do it again at 6 weeks.
We will discuss how much progress you’ve made, and whether you have completed your goals.
It’s OK to decide I’m not the right therapist for you, or that you don’t like the style of therapy I provide. Make sure to reflect on what you didn’t like so you know what to avoid when selecting your next therapist. If I feel I am not experienced to treat your specific needs I will also let you know this sooner rather than later so you may be on your journey elsewhere.
Testimonials
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"As a parent navigating the challenges of child behaviour and emotions, I cannot recommend Lorraine highly enough. My son needed one session and if his attitude goes back to the way it was, I will not hesitate to send him back to see Lorraine."
P.H. Belfast
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“Thank you to Lorraine for my two sessions on anger management. Family life is a lot nicer now."
Janey K. Newtownabbey
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"What sets Lorraine apart is her evidence-based practices combined with a genuine passion for helping children thrive. Through her expert guidance, my daughter has made remarkable progress in managing her emotions and navigating challenging situations in school.
Lindsey B. Comber
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"Lorraine's sessions with my son were practical and informative. She also provided valuable resources for my wife and I to better understand our son's needs and how to support him better."
Keith F. Lisburn
“Lorraine helped me at a turning point when I was 16. My mum had died and I was about to give up school. She helped me gain confidence and realise my potential. She encouraged me to make goals and I continued on to my A Levels and a degree. I have been a primary school teacher for five years now and it is a job which I love. I still keep in touch and I appreciate her helping me at a difficult period of my life. ”
— Rory C.
Pricing
£70
Talking Therapy 50 mins
Guided self-help is recommended as a treatment for some types of anxiety and panic attacks. With guided self-help you work through a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based workbook with me supporting you. I work with you to understand your problems and make positive changes in your life. Guided self-help aims to give you helpful tools and techniques that you can carry on using after your sessions have finished.
£70
Theraputic Art Session 50 mins
Whilst learning and concentrating on a specific art task in clay or in paint, patients may find it easier to talk. The concentration of a practical activity can relax and clear the mind, leving space to talk or just to enjoy the mindfulness of the activity. No skill required and all materials, glaze, firings paint etc included.
Free Vision Board Tutorial...
Everyone has something that they want to bring to life. But what if you can't really see it? If you don't have a vision and you’re struggling to pinpoint what you want and where you want to go, it is difficult to get traction. Without a clear vision, it's hard to direct your efforts in ways that serve your goals. It's also hard to attract the support and resources you need. That's where a vision board comes in.
You might have heard people talk about manifestation, this is the idea that you can conjure up what you want by thinking about it. In reality, our dreams don't manifest on their own. Achieving your goals and realising your potential takes work. At the same time, it helps to have a detailed vision and a belief in your own ability to change that dream into a reality. From action to reality, in fact. Vision boards are an amazing tool to help you create that focused vision and kickstart the real manifestation process.
Free pamper pack……
Free pamper pack with every visit…
Get started with Teenage Anxiety Counselling, Belfast, today…
Book an appointment online…….
It all begins with a first step. If you would like any information before you make an appointment please message me or e-mail me. I will get back to you asap. E-mail address below.