Making the commitment to begin your counselling journey can be a bold and daunting step, so over the next few blog entries, I will be sharing some case studies of young people I have worked with and the journey they’ve made in the room with me. For purposes of confidentiality, all identifying criteria has been changed to ensure the client’s anonymity throughout.

Mental health diagnoses have risen dramatically in recent years and often this can be a confusing time for the people who are given them. Whilst some find having a diagnosis brings understanding around their situation, many can find it a dead end and lead to more questions than solutions. Working with Beth, 16, who has a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, we have spent lots of time trying to understand the meaning Beth has placed on this.

Beth sees the diagnosis as helpful in explaining the reason for many of her behaviours and struggles, but limiting in terms of what it means for her future. She worries that this means she will struggle to engage in healthy relationships and fears isolation and loneliness.

Our work has focused on the emotional impact of this diagnosis and through using creative mediums such as music and emotion cards, we have explored her feelings in depth. Beth is starting to feel less overwhelmed by her circumstances and has been able to start to have healthier relationships. 

Alongside this emotion focused work, through exploring her story and what’s happened in her life, she is also starting to understand that there is nothing ‘wrong’ with her and more that she has experienced lot of difficult moments that have influenced her being and sense of self. 

Beth is needing long term support and counselling as she learns to manage her situation and our relationship is providing a space for this to happen.

If you can relate to this story and feel you’d like to speak with me about the possibility of working together, please get in touch and we can speak through your needs and desires for your therapeutic journey. Contact me on 01822 661316 or via the form on the contact page. 

Go well and be kind to yourself.