Services
Teen Counselling & Therapy for Young People Aged 16–18
Private, confidential counselling with no GP referral and no waiting list. Online across England or face-to-face in a number of locations. Book a free 15-minute consultation today.
NCPS Organisational Member
Professionally registered therapists
Free 15-minute consultation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“From the very first phone call, I felt heard. They didn’t rush me — they helped me work out what I needed.”
Hope Therapy enquiry feedback
5,000+
People supported
90+
Qualified therapists
5 ★
Website testimonials
20+
Counties across England
Private counselling for young people — available now, without a waiting list
Hope Therapy offers private counselling to young people aged 16 and over across England. Sessions are available online via Zoom or telephone — accessible from home, at a time that works around school, college, or other commitments. Face-to-face sessions are available in a number of locations across England for those who prefer in-person support.
Unlike NHS CAMHS, our service does not require a GP referral or a formal assessment. Young people aged 16 can self-refer directly in England — no parental permission is needed. Parents and guardians are also welcome to make the initial enquiry on a young person’s behalf, and we will always seek the young person’s consent before sessions begin.
All sessions are delivered by qualified, professionally registered therapists. Our team includes therapists with specific training and experience in working with young people aged 16 to 18 — including those with a background in childhood trauma, family systems, and the particular presentations common in this age group. We will match you with someone whose background is suited to what you are looking for. The first step — a free 15-minute consultation — is where that conversation starts.
What this service includes
Every young person who comes to Hope Therapy begins with a free 15-minute consultation. This is an informal conversation — not an assessment or a clinical intake. It is a chance for you to tell us what is going on, ask any questions, and decide whether this feels like the right fit. If it does, we match you with a therapist and most young people begin their first session within a week.
Sessions are 50 minutes long. The number of sessions is not fixed in advance — your therapist will discuss this with you and review progress as you go. Some young people find that a short block of sessions gives them the tools they need; others choose to work longer-term on deeper patterns. There is no obligation beyond the session you are in.
Online therapy for teenagers is delivered via Zoom or telephone. You choose where you take your session — at home, in a private space you feel comfortable in. If you prefer face-to-face sessions, let us know during the consultation and we will confirm what is available in your area.
Childhood trauma: Many young people who come to us are not dealing with something recent — they are carrying the effects of earlier experiences that were never fully processed. Childhood trauma, family breakdown, neglect, loss, or a difficult home environment can all surface in the teenage years as anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, or a sense that something is fundamentally wrong, without a clear reason why.
We have therapists experienced in working with the effects of childhood trauma in young people. Sessions focus on building safety and understanding at your pace — not on revisiting painful events before you are ready. Read more on the conditions page →
Our Approach
Therapy approaches we use with young people
Your therapist will discuss which approach is likely to be most helpful during the free consultation. Some young people work with one modality; others benefit from an integrative combination.
Counselling
Person-centred counselling gives young people a space to talk, feel heard, and begin to make sense of their own experience — without agenda or instruction. Particularly useful for young people who are not sure exactly what is wrong, but know they need to talk to someone.
Learn more about counselling →
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the evidence-based first-line treatment for anxiety, low mood, and OCD in young people. Structured and practical, it helps young people recognise unhelpful thought patterns and develop effective coping strategies. CBT sessions start from £85.
Learn more about CBT →
Childhood Trauma & Trauma-Informed Therapy
For young people carrying the effects of childhood trauma — family breakdown, neglect, loss, or difficult early experiences that are still shaping how they feel and relate to others. Our trauma-informed therapists work at your pace, building safety before depth.
Learn more about Trauma-Informed Therapy →
Our booking team and your therapist will discuss which approach — or combination — feels most appropriate for what you are bringing. You do not need to know which is right before you start.
Our therapists
All therapists at Hope Therapy are qualified and professionally registered with appropriate UK bodies, including the BACP, NCPS, and BPS. Our therapists working with young people bring a combination of relevant training and direct experience in supporting this age group — whether that is through clinical placements, specialist work, or sustained practice with clients aged 16 to 18.
During the free consultation, we take time to understand what you are looking for and then make a careful match. If you have a preference for a particular therapy approach, therapist gender, or specialism — such as LGBTQIA+ affirming practice or experience with neurodiversity — just let us know and we will take that into account.
If the first match does not feel right after your initial session, we will find someone else — at no extra cost.
Safeguarding: Hope Therapy takes the safety and wellbeing of young people seriously. Our safeguarding policy and procedures are reviewed regularly and will be made available on request. All therapists working with young people receive appropriate clinical supervision.
What our clients say
Real experiences
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
From the very first phone call, I felt heard. They didn’t rush me — they helped me work out what I needed.
Hope Therapy enquiry feedback
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I was nervous about opening up, but from the very first session, I felt genuinely listened to. I’d recommend Hope Therapy to anyone thinking about getting support.
Mark, who sought support for stress and anxiety
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
No waiting, no long forms, no pressure. Just a straightforward conversation about what I needed — and then the right person to talk to.
Hope Therapy client feedback
Client experiences are unique. Results vary between individuals.
Getting started
How to get started
Three steps, no waiting list, and most young people begin sessions within a week.
1
Free 15-minute consultation
A relaxed, informal conversation — not an assessment. You can book yourself (if you are 16+), or a parent or guardian can enquire on your behalf. No obligation to continue.
2
We match you with the right therapist
Based on your needs, preferences, and the issue you want to work on, we match you with one of our qualified therapists. Let us know if you have any preferences — specialism, approach, gender — and we will take them into account.
3
Your sessions begin
Online via Zoom or telephone — or face-to-face if available in your area. Sessions are 50 minutes. Most young people begin within a week of the free consultation.
No GP referral needed. No waiting list. Most young people begin sessions within a week of the free consultation.
Standards you can trust
How we match you with the right therapist for young people
For young people especially, the right match matters. We take time to understand what you need before making any recommendation.
A careful match, not a long list
Therapist availability changes from week to week, so rather than asking you to choose from a directory, we take time during your free 15-minute consultation to understand what you are looking for — and then match you with a therapist suited to your needs.
During the consultation, we will ask about:
- What you would like the work to focus on, and any specific concerns you would like support with
- Whether you would prefer face-to-face counselling, online sessions, or a combination of the two
- Any preferences around therapy approach (counselling, CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, ACT, compassion focused therapy and others)
- Day and time availability that works around your life
- Any specialisms that matter to you — for example LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, neurodiversity-affirming support, or particular life experiences
- Practical preferences — for example therapist gender, age range, or shared lived experience where that matters to you
All therapists we work with are qualified and registered with appropriate UK professional bodies, and we will confirm the most suitable options with you before any sessions begin.
Professional standards across our team
Hope Therapy & Counselling Services has been operating since 2014, and we hold Organisational Membership with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). We work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethics and BACP Good Practice, and our wider clinical standards include:
- Qualified, professionally registered therapists across the team — registrations vary per therapist and are confirmed before matching
- Ongoing clinical supervision in line with professional body requirements
- Continuing professional development to maintain and develop practice
- Clear confidentiality standards, with limits explained before sessions begin
- Client-centred, non-judgemental and inclusive practice across all areas of identity and experience
- Founder-led clinical oversight from Ian Stockbridge — MBACP (Senior Accredited) – who continues to lead the practice and oversee its standards
Whether you choose face-to-face counselling near you or online therapy from anywhere in the UK, you can expect to be matched with a therapist who is appropriately qualified and suited to the support you are looking for.
Transparent Pricing
Our fees
No hidden costs. Your therapist and fees are discussed during your free consultation.
Counselling
From £65
per 50-minute session
- Person-centred or integrative approach
- Online via Zoom or telephone
- Face-to-face where available
CBT
From £85
per 50-minute session
- Structured, goal-focused approach
- Practical tools and strategies
- Online or face-to-face
Mindfulness (MBCT)
From £65
per 50-minute session
- Awareness and regulation focused
- Evidence-based techniques
- Online or face-to-face
These are the standard fees for all clients aged 16 and over. If cost is a concern, please raise this during your free consultation — we will discuss what options are available.
London clients: Location-adjusted rates may apply. Please ask during your free consultation and we will confirm the exact fee before you commit to anything.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral to access this service?
No. Young people aged 16 and over can book directly via our free 15-minute consultation — no GP referral, no formal assessment, and no waiting list. A parent or guardian can also make the initial enquiry on a young person’s behalf.
How quickly can sessions begin?
Most young people who contact us begin their first session within a week of the free consultation, depending on therapist availability and your scheduling preferences. We aim to respond to all enquiries the same working day.
Are sessions available online?
Yes. All sessions can be delivered online via Zoom or by telephone, accessible from anywhere in England. Face-to-face sessions are also available in a number of locations across England. We will confirm what is available during the free consultation.
How much does counselling for young people cost?
Individual counselling sessions start from £65 per 50-minute session. CBT sessions start from £85. EMDR starts from £95. These are the same fees as for adult clients. If cost is a concern, please raise this during your free consultation.
What qualifications do your therapists hold?
All therapists at Hope Therapy are qualified and professionally registered with appropriate UK bodies including the BACP, NCPS, and BPS. Our therapists working with young people have relevant training and experience in supporting this age group. Specific qualifications are confirmed during the free consultation.
What is the difference between CAMHS and this service?
CAMHS is an NHS service for children and young people’s mental health, typically requiring a GP referral and involving a waiting period. Our service is private, requires no referral, has no waiting list, and is available immediately. Both services employ qualified professionals — the difference is access and speed. Some families use our service while waiting for CAMHS assessment, or as a standalone alternative.
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Meet Our Founder
Built by someone who saw the need from the inside
★
SCoPEd Band C
MBACP & SNCPS Senior Accredited
“Having worked for more than 25 years in senior management, I saw the same thing repeatedly — people struggling with mental health and relationship challenges, and so often struggling to access the right support when it was needed. It was out of this recognition of human need that Hope was born.”
Ian Stockbridge founded Hope Therapy after 25+ years leading large commercial teams – watching colleagues carry stress, anxiety, and personal difficulty with nowhere to turn. He retrained rigorously, now holding Senior Accredited status with both the BACP and NCPS, alongside SCoPEd Band C — the highest independent competence verification in the UK counselling profession.
He remains a practising therapist, clinical supervisor, published author of PMDD Uncovered, and co-presenter of The Talk Room Podcast. Hope Therapy was built on the things he saw were most broken – and designed, from the ground up, to do better.
MBACP (Senior Accredited)
SNCPS (Acc)
SCoPEd Band C
BSc (Hons) CBT
PGCert Supervision L7
Quality Award 2024 — 95%+
Private counselling for young people — available this week
A free, no-obligation 15-minute conversation. No pressure, no script — just a chance to be heard, ask questions, and see whether we feel like the right fit.
Get in Touch
Start your enquiry
Not sure where to start? Send us a message and a member of our team will get back to you. All enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“From the very first phone call, I felt heard. They didn’t rush me — they helped me work out what I needed.”
Hope Therapy enquiry feedback
NCPS Organisational Member
Est 2014
90+ Qualified Therapists
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies
Individual registrations vary per therapist. Last reviewed: May 2026.