At TGGS we offer 1:1 counselling, provided by qualified integrative counsellors with additional qualifications in working with young people. Our counselling service is available to all students and there is a counsellor available every day during term time. Counselling provides a safe, non-judgemental and confidential setting for students to explore any problems they may be experiencing. Commonly raised issues are relationships, exam stress, low self-esteem, bereavement, anxiety, family problems, self-harm and suicidal ideation, low mood, and eating disorders, but students can discuss anything that is causing them worry or concern.
The therapeutic relationship is key for successful counselling. During the first session the student and counsellor will get to know each other. The student can decide if they think counselling is for them and, at the end of the session, decide if they would like future appointments. The choice is always left to the student. Students are encouraged to tell their parents that they are seeing a counsellor, but they don’t have to.
As counsellors, we work holistically with each student, understanding that they are individuals. We use a variety of techniques, including creative work. Our aim is that the young person gains a greater understanding of themselves, builds up inner strength, and discovers solutions to the problems facing them.
Our counselling service works within the BACP Ethical Framework of Good Practice. Any safeguarding concerns will be referred to our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
To refer yourself, or a young person in your care, for counselling, please complete the relevant form and return it to: counsellingsupport@tggsacademy.org
Young Person Self-Referral Form
Please note: we are currently operating a waiting list. Referals will be prioritised according to our professional assessment of most urgent need.
What our students like about the TGGS counselling service:
“Being able to speak without judgement”
“Freedom to talk in a safe space”
Useful Links:
The Anna Freud Centre: www.annafreud.org
Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
Kooth online counselling: www.kooth.com
Pooky Knightsmith mental health support: www.pookyknightsmith.com
About Our Team
Sarah Jennings is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a member of the BACP’s young people’s division, attending their conference annually. Additionally, she is a member of a Trauma association and a registered online and telephone counsellor.
Sarah has worked supporting children and young people for over 25 years in schools, the NHS and charities, including a charity working with bereaved children and one working with children who have been abused.
She have diplomas in integrative counselling, working with eating disorders and working with young people. Sarah has completed additional training in many areas of counselling including working with trauma, anxiety, grief, abuse, suicidal thoughts and self-harm and therapeutically with a sand tray and nature. She is a Cognitive Behavioural and solution focused trained therapist. Ultimately her aim is to help a client face their challenges and discover their inner strength and be able to develop their own coping strategies.
Sarah is passionate about counselling and spends much of her spare time reading or attending conferences and workshops to discover more. She is particularly interested in the impact of events on the brain and body and working creatively. Her other passion is being with nature and walking or running with her springer spaniel Patch who is also her therapeutic companion in private practice
Contact: counsellingsupport@tggsacademy.org
Helen Parminter has worked for TGGS since 2020 after completing her placement hours here and at local community centres. She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has experience working with adults and children on a variety of issues, however she specialises in working with children and young people.
Helen is an integrative counsellor that works in the best interests of each individual. She is passionate about supporting our students, helping them to make positive changes and to develop resilience that will not only be beneficial for them now, but also for their futures.
Helen has a degree in Geography from the university of Nottingham; her counselling qualifications consist of levels 3 and 4 in integrative counselling and level 5 in working therapeutically with children and young people. She lives in Exeter with her partner, daughter, dog, cat, hamster and tortoise. When not working Helen loves nothing more than taking her daughter out to lovely places, taking long walks on the moor and camping. She loves being out in nature as much as possible and enjoys travel with her family.
Contact: counsellingsupport@tggsacademy.org