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Counselling at No5

No5 Young People have been delivering free, professional, confidential counselling, outreach and mental health support to young people who live, work or study in the ‘RG’ postcode area since 1971.

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Counselling for 11-17 year olds Counselling for 18-25 year olds
Counselling at No5
Counsellors are trained to really hear what you are saying. We know the idea of seeing a counsellor can seem scary; people are often worried about ‘opening up’ to a stranger. This is understandable…

Counsellors are trained to really hear what you are saying. We know the idea of seeing a counsellor can seem scary; people are often worried about ‘opening up’ to a stranger. This is understandable…

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Counsellors are trained to really hear what you are saying. We know the idea of seeing a counsellor can seem scary; people are often worried about ‘opening up’ to a stranger. This is understandable…
...As part of their training, counsellors will have had personal therapy themselves, so they know what it is like to be the client as well as the counsellor.
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What is counselling?

Counselling offers a safe place for you to be listened to, without judgement, to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. We can help you make sense of what you’re going through and support you with the difficulties you’re experiencing.

A counselling session usually involves talking with your counsellor but sometimes it may be hard to talk. Your counsellor will have various resources and activities and might suggest some creative activities to do together to help you, like drawing or playing a game.

Counselling for young people

No5 offers free counselling to young people aged 11-25 who live, work or study in the ‘RG’ postcode area. There are no other criteria for accessing our services, and you can ask for help from No5 by yourself – you don’t need a parent, GP or teacher to refer you. No5 is an Organisational Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Counselling for 11-17 year olds Counselling for 18-25 year olds

Counselling at No5 takes place

In Person

At School

Online

Over the Phone

In-person counselling is available between 4 and 9pm Monday – Friday at our house in Central Reading, online (via Zoom) and over the phone at various times and days across the week. (Please note: No5 does not offer home visits)

Our house in Central Reading is wheelchair friendly and provides a step-free access option at the rear.

Many young people want between 10 and 20 weeks of counselling and your counsellor will work with you to decide how many sessions you feel you need.

The sessions will be on the same day, at the same time, with the same counsellor each week. Sessions last up to 50 minutes.

No5 Online Counselling - Q&A

Find the right Counselling for you

Counselling for 11-17 year olds Counselling for 18-25 year olds

How does counselling help?

The counselling session is your time, and the counselling room is your space for that time

The counselling session is your time, and the counselling room is your space for that time...

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The counselling session is your time, and the counselling room is your space for that time

You’ll see the same counsellor, on the same day and time each week. Having this stable routine and trusting relationship can be really helpful if other areas of your life are feeling difficult.

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A counsellors aim is to listen, support and help you to decide what will work for you

A counsellors aim is to listen, support and help you to decide what will work for you

When a person keeps worries to themselves, they can grow to become greater problems...

When a person keeps worries to themselves, they can grow to become greater problems......

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When a person keeps worries to themselves, they can grow to become greater problems...

making them even harder to share. Talking about it provides an opportunity to share feelings earlier rather than waiting until it all feels too much

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Sometimes it is simply having the opportunity to talk to someone in a neutral space...

Sometimes it is simply having the opportunity to talk to someone in a neutral space......

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Sometimes it is simply having the opportunity to talk to someone in a neutral space...

away from your family or friends, who is trained in listening to and supporting young people that is most helpful

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Understand your counselling

What can I talk about?

You can talk to your counsellor about whatever you want during your counselling. No issue is too big or too small, and you will not be judged on what you say or be pressurised into talking about anything that you don’t want to.

Young people come to us with a range of difficulties, such as:

  • Relationships and Friendships
  • Drugs and Alcohol
  • Self-Esteem
  • School Issues and Exam Stress
  • Abuse
  • Home and Family Issues & Breakdown
  • Bullying/Cyber bullying
  • Anger
  • Sex
  • Sexuality and Identity
  • Anxiety
  • Self-Harm
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Bereavement & Loss
  • OCD and Phobias

Are your counsellors trained?

All No5 counsellors are members of a professional regulatory body who are fully qualified, or in their final years of a recognised professional qualification. See our training page.

It is a professional requirement that counsellors are regularly supervised, and the purpose of supervision is to ensure the counsellor is working ethically and safely with you, and for their development and support. During supervision your name and personal details will not be shared with the supervisor, and this takes place separately from counselling sessions.

Counsellors who are in their final stages of training and those completing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) may ask your permission to record a session, or use some details in case studies. When this happens no names or any other personal details that could identify you are included.

Confidentiality and safeguarding?

An important aspect of counselling is that it is confidential – or private. This means that nothing you say to your counsellor will be repeated to anyone outside No5, including family, teachers or doctors. No one will answer any questions, or talk about, your counselling without your permission.

No5 is an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and therefore follows their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions to guide best practice, in particular around confidentiality and safeguarding for young people. Please click here for more details.

Safeguarding

No5 takes confidentiality very seriously, and we also have a duty to ensure your safety. If we believed you or another vulnerable person was at serious risk of harm, we may need to break confidentiality. This may mean involving someone else who could help keep you, or them, safe. Counsellors always try to discuss this with you first and work with you to come up with a plan. See our safeguarding policy.

#AsktheYAs - How do you see the world today?

Counselling for young people

No5 offers free counselling to young people aged 11-25 who live, work or study in the ‘RG’ postcode area. There are no other criteria for accessing our services, and you can ask for help from No5 by yourself – you don’t need a parent, GP or teacher to refer you.

Counselling for 11-17 year olds Counselling for 18-25 year olds

Counselling FAQs

What will happen the first time I come to No5 for counselling?
What does the room look like?
How do we sit?
Is there a table?
Is there a window?
What is the lighting like?
Will the door be locked?
Information & Support

Information & Support

Find out what support No5 can provide

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Your Questions Answered

Your Questions Answered

Facts, FAQ’s and Mythbusters

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Mental Health Facts

Mental Health Facts

Fact sheets and information about mental health

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Crisis contacts

Crisis contacts

Get urgent help for mental health

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