A schools counsellor says lockdown and the pandemic is creating a need for more young people to seek counselling.

This is leading Lindy Carter of Oakham to build up her private practice, known as Just Bee Counselling.

The mum-of-two daughters, who has just become a grandma, told Nub News: "After my first career in business, I taught for 10 years before doing a masters degree in school counselling and working as a school counsellor in the USA.

"Having grown up in this area I am now back living in Oakham (Rutland) and have been here for 2 ½ years.

"I am a member of the BACP (The British Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy) and work within their code of ethics.

"I continue to work in schools and have experience of primary, secondary and sixth form students. I have also worked for Relate as a Children's and Young Person's counsellor in schools in the area as well as in 2 local clinics.

"I work part time for an organization funded by the NHS to provide online counselling for young people 11-21."

Current lockdown restrictions though mean Lindy is having to meet young people virtually.

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She continued: "I have worked with young people with a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, anger, family issues, self harm, gender identity, friendship issues, bullying, school stress,low mood etc.

"I use a combination of CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and SFBT (solution focused brief therapy), and I aim to guide the young person in finding appropriate solutions to their unique challenges.

Lindy added: "I have personally seen an increase in the numbers of young people coming forward needing some type of short or longer term support, especially since the beginning of the pandemic.

"Some reports suggest as many as between 1 in 8 of school age children suffer from mental health illness and as many as 70% are not receiving treatment.

"School staff provide a listening ear and are very caring and supportive but are not trained in counselling nor do they have the luxury of time, and the focus often has to be on academics.

"Equally parents can find it difficult to provide the level of support needed by the young person at home.

"GP services and the NHS do an amazing job with mental health issues but resources are stretched and access to services varies by region. Sometimes young people are on long waiting lists for specialized mental health interventions."

For more information please contact Lindy at [email protected]

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