Introducing the Adolescent Counselling Service
Bunuru is the Indigenous ‘second summer’ season, also characterised as the season of adolescence, so what appropriate time to announce a new development at MSWA.
MSWA is expanding our Counselling services to adolescents aged 13-18 years old. Our team have undergone training to ensure we’re equipped to support this new cohort.
Young persons diagnosed with a neurological condition
Although rare, people under 18, can be diagnosed with a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neurone disease (MND), and more. Receiving a neurological diagnosis at a young age can be extremely overwhelming. It effects not just you, but your family and support network. Extra support (outside of family) can help you come to terms with your diagnosis.
Counselling provides a safe space to process emotions and concerns about the impacts of being unwell, both now and in the future. You may have recognised the shock, fear and grief of family members, and feel protective towards them, even supporting them to adjust to what has happened to you.
In counselling, you don’t have to shelter anyone from your raw feelings and thoughts which gives you freedom to be entirely authentic about how you are coping and not coping. From there, we can start to connect with your inner strengths and resources to encourage you to move forward
Family member with MS
Similarly, teens whose parent, sibling or other close family member who has received a neurological diagnosis may welcome a neutral space to reflect on the impact of this news for themselves and their family. Many young people become carers by default – not in a planned way – but simply because living with their loved one can mean practically helping in various ways. This may bring about personal growth but may also limit their own life choices.
Why me?
A common theme expressed by adolescents is isolation. They feel very set apart from their peers and struggle to find empathy and understanding around them. This comes with going through something unusual for their age and although it is nobody’s fault, it can lead to loneliness and resentment of others.
It’s natural to look around and wonder “Why me?” and to grieve the future life they were imagining before diagnosis.
Adolescence is commonly thought of as a time of spreading your wings, discovering all the different aspect of your identity, bonding more strongly with friends whilst your family remains a secure base for that exploration.
If it’s your parent, sibling or friend who’s been diagnosed, you’re going to gain plenty of insight into how to manage unexpected circumstances, become more resilient and live your best life around the effects of a disability. This gives a depth of empathy and awareness which can only benefit all your future relationships.
You may want to bring someone with you for the first session to help you explain what’s going on and settle in, and either option is welcomed.
Confidentiality will be explained to you and your family, and we will check in with you often to ensure you’re comfortable and find counselling helpful – that’s what we’re here for!
