Helen Ives
Young Persons Counsellor
I am a BACP registered therapist specialising in child and young persons therapy, combining a unique approach to decades of experience working in the field.
After completing a degree in Business and Languages, I made a significant career shift. Taking time to reflect on my achievements and strengths, I realised my true passion lay elsewhere. This led me to a career spanning over 20 years, dedicated to working with and supporting children, young people and families.
Throughout this time, I have held a variety of roles—from supporting disengaged 16+ NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training) to providing careers guidance in both mainstream schools and alternative learning provisions.
My focus has consistently been on helping vulnerable young people with additional needs. This work became the catalyst for my transition into the role of Intensive Family Support Co-ordinator, where I supported children and families in crisis.
This role required building and maintaining strong relationships within complex family dynamics, often in highly emotionally charged environments. The onset of COVID-19 demanded a flexible approach, with much of the engagement—such as delivering teen parenting courses—shifting online. My experience in this role deepened my understanding of issues like coercive control and its impact on victims of domestic abuse, both adults and children.
Helen Ives
Young Persons Counsellor
Knowledge and skills
My counselling training further enabled me to support victims through my work with the Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP), enhancing my knowledge and skills in providing trauma-informed care.
For the past four years, I have worked as a Child Wellbeing Worker, a role that has complemented my counselling studies. I support young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing, primarily in secondary schools. Through one-to-one sessions, I help students navigate a wide range of concerns, including suicidal ideation, identity exploration, self-harm, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and school avoidance.
My work keeps me closely attuned to current issues, such as the challenges neurodiverse students face in adapting to neurotypical structures within mainstream education. Having received a late diagnosis of combined-type ADHD myself, I am especially passionate about advocating for these students and raising awareness of their daily struggles within the education system.
If you want to learn more or book a session for your child please get in touch.