Is your sixth form or college student stressed out of their minds?

Are they anxious or angry, or both?

Are they acting out or shutting down?

Are you looking for either face-to-face support in the Bristol, Bath or Wells, Somerset area or online?

If you want to find out more about what makes Sam different from other providers and why she gets real results please read on below.

If you’re ready to speak to Sam, call 07865 725 935 now or message me on WhatsApp.

Completing A levels and other 16+ courses can be an enormously stressful experience, particularly if your teen puts a large amount of pressure on themselves and/or their college or school is applying a great deal of pressure too. Sometimes it can be just the change in environment and the social upheaval this can also cause that can lead to an increase in anxiety. Your teen may also be contending with special educational needs such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism, or life circumstances such as family illness, grief or social issues that are adding an extra layer of stress. The end result is that your teen’s mental health seriously suffers, home life can become unbearable and their studies take a serious hit too.

Sometimes this stress triggers depression, anxiety, self-harm, anger outbursts or substance misuse. Our teens have so much potential but life circumstances and their ability to manage their emotions can sometimes get in the way. Getting to the heart of what is triggering them and establishing the skills they need to aquire to cope and develop resilience is central to getting them back to their best-functioning selves- happy and productive.

It can be difficult for parents to know what to do in these circumstances, worrying about saying the wrong thing, worrying about making things worse and not better. You want to help, but you don’t know how. Talking to an expert outside of home and outside of college/school can make the world of difference. Being able to meet with Sam online from the convenience and comfort of home or boarding house also makes it a practical solution for you and your teen, fitting around busy schedules.

Why work with Sam?

Sam Ross, BSc, MSc, MSc, Cert EP(YJ)

I have over 20 years experience working with, studying and writing about adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, predominantly within education and youth justice settings and in private practice. I have helped countless A level and college students address issues around stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm, anger and social skills and equipped them with the practical skills they need to succeed in managing their emotions, their time, their studies and their social lives. In addition I have particular expertise in addressing the particular challenges associated with neuordivergence (dyslexia, ADHD and autism in particular).

My mission is to equip our wonderful (but sometimes challenging) teens with the positive resilient growth mindset needed for them to not only succeed in sixth form or college, but to be able to successfully face whatever the world may bring as they embark on their young adult lives.

What is so special about the Teenage Whisperer method?

Solutions are led by the young person.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution and that is why a lot of conventional therapies don’t work. Each teen is different, so I listen to them first, help them to understand their issue and empower them to make the decisions and set goals to change their own lives.

My intervention toolkit is very large.

As each teen is different, different approaches work better with some than others, and often a mixture of approaches produces the best results. Within my toolkit you can find cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), positive psychology approaches, dialetical behaviour therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and life coaching techniques, creative therapies and mindfulness techniques. I am constantly adding to this toolkit because you can never be too well equipped!

Teens do as well as talk.

Unlike many other services, talking is not the only method I use. Teens are great do-ers and sometimes the quickest way to resolution of their issue is through talking AND practical activities- playing a sport, walking, getting out in nature, yoga, writing and artwork for example. I actively support young people to engage in activities that will ensure their progress. The talking helps them to look inwards and reflect, often assisted by art and writing-based activities, and other activities encourage them to look outwards and physically reduce their stress – a healthy balance that everyone needs to be happy.

For those wishing to meet face-to-face in Bristol, Bath or Wells, Somerset, sessions are often held while on the move, walking around the local area. This is an incredibly effective way to engage the most anxious and even therapy-resistant teens.

A strengths-based approach.

Focusing on the positives in their lives and their strengths and building on them plays a central role in boosting self-esteem and their belief that they can make successful changes in their lives. Again, this is where practical activities can be more powerful than words.

Parental/carer support.

Knowing that your child is unhappy and the problems that can come with their emotions and behaviour is incredibly stressful. I offer support to you as well as your teen, to ensure that you can be as supportive of them as possible.

Sessions can be offered to fit around your tween/teens schedule, at a frequency to suit your budget.

To discuss your child’s specific needs further and ask any questions you may have, please call 07865 725 935 now or message me on WhatsApp.
(If out of hours, please message, or call and leave a message and I will get back to you the following working day).

Alternatively if you would prefer to schedule in a call with me when you can arrange to be available and to have privacy, please scroll down and book a callback appointment below.

(If out of hours, please call and leave a message and I will get back to you the following working day).

The first steps of change can start today. Together we can achieve change.

 

Latest testimonials:

Such a relief

I was in a bad place before I met with Sam. My perfectionist tendencies were taking over and my thoughts were going to dark places. With Sam I sorted out my negative thought patterns in our sessions and I started going for a walk every day. I am now so much better. I feel in control of myself and my A level work.

W

2023-12-06T14:11:09+00:00

W

I was in a bad place before I met with Sam. My perfectionist tendencies were taking over and my thoughts were going to dark places. With Sam I sorted out my negative thought patterns in our sessions and I started going for a walk every day. I am now so much better. I feel in control of myself and my A level work.

ADHD & Dyslexic

School has always been a bit of a struggle- I'm ADHD and dyslexic, but in a smart kind of a way. I kind of coped okay up until sixth form but then it became a real struggle. I was getting all kinds of frustrated- depressed, shouting at people who were trying to help. I wasn't a nice person to be around. With Sam we worked out strategies that work for my brain and now the work is so much easier to do. I just needed the keys to get into my brain! I also learned how to manage my stress a whole load better and now I think I'm a nicer person to be around!

J

2023-12-06T14:17:23+00:00

J

School has always been a bit of a struggle- I'm ADHD and dyslexic, but in a smart kind of a way. I kind of coped okay up until sixth form but then it became a real struggle. I was getting all kinds of frustrated- depressed, shouting at people who were trying to help. I wasn't a nice person to be around. With Sam we worked out strategies that work for my brain and now the work is so much easier to do. I just needed the keys to get into my brain! I also learned how to manage my stress a whole load better and now I think I'm a nicer person to be around!

Should have done it sooner

I'd been trying to help my daughter with her anxiety but when she started getting increasingly frustrated with me and self-harming I knew we needed to do something different. That's when I found Sam and thank God I did. We are both now coping much better and I can now have a normal relationship with my daughter.

Y

2023-12-06T14:20:53+00:00

Y

I'd been trying to help my daughter with her anxiety but when she started getting increasingly frustrated with me and self-harming I knew we needed to do something different. That's when I found Sam and thank God I did. We are both now coping much better and I can now have a normal relationship with my daughter.

My stress not his

Meeting with Sam opened my eyes to the fact that my anxiety about my son's success was causing him to be more stressed. I came to this realisation by talking the whole thing through. Sam never told me what I was doing was wrong, I never felt judged but she has an amazing way of helping you to reflect on the situation and come to your own conclusions. From what my son has told me she worked the same magic on him. She is so empowering. Can't recommend enough.

N

2023-12-06T14:30:36+00:00

N

Meeting with Sam opened my eyes to the fact that my anxiety about my son's success was causing him to be more stressed. I came to this realisation by talking the whole thing through. Sam never told me what I was doing was wrong, I never felt judged but she has an amazing way of helping you to reflect on the situation and come to your own conclusions. From what my son has told me she worked the same magic on him. She is so empowering. Can't recommend enough.

Relaxed

My parents have tried to get me help before but it just didn't work. They talked at me or made me sit in silence before I made up an answer. It was so awkward. It was really different with Sam. She makes you relax and then I started talking.

F

2023-12-06T14:34:42+00:00

F

My parents have tried to get me help before but it just didn't work. They talked at me or made me sit in silence before I made up an answer. It was so awkward. It was really different with Sam. She makes you relax and then I started talking.

She actually listens

I have spoken with people at school and even a counsellor or two. They never listened. They were too interested in what they had to say and were't interested in listening to what I had to say. Sam is the best listener and because she listened all the work we did were right for me.

T

2023-12-06T14:37:56+00:00

T

I have spoken with people at school and even a counsellor or two. They never listened. They were too interested in what they had to say and were't interested in listening to what I had to say. Sam is the best listener and because she listened all the work we did were right for me.