From frightened teenager to confident young woman
Working with young people.
Lucy’s name has been changed to protect her identity.
When Lucy first came to see me, when she 14 and at secondary school. A family member had become concerned about her and asked if I could help.
Lucy was extremely quiet and found it difficult to speak up for herself. She had very little confidence or belief in her own worth and was struggling with friendships and difficult emotions. She had also begun to harm herself.
At that point in her life, Lucy appeared frightened and vulnerable. Other people’s opinions and emotions had a significant effect on how she felt about herself.
Our work together gave Lucy a safe space where she could talk openly without fear of judgement. We worked on helping her understand her emotions, recognise her strengths and build her confidence and self-worth. She began learning that she did not have to carry the feelings or opinions of everyone around her.
Working with me was one part of Lucy’s wider journey, and it has been wonderful to see the young woman she has become.
Lucy is now 18 and beginning university. She achieved a distinction in her college qualification and became a leader during group projects. She is willing to speak up, take responsibility and encourage positive change rather than simply following others.
Her confidence has grown enormously. She knows her worth, stands by her decisions and no longer allows other people’s opinions to define her. She accepts who she is, takes ownership of her choices and is not afraid to use her voice.
Alongside starting university, Lucy is also beginning a new part-time job in a busy customer-facing environment. This is something the frightened and withdrawn teenager she once was may never have imagined herself doing.
Lucy did the work and created these changes in her life. I feel incredibly privileged to have supported her during part of that journey and to see her enter adulthood as a confident, capable and determined young woman
