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What young people say about our counselling services:

"My name’s Lynne. I’m 25 years old.

"I came to YPAS four years ago after living with years of hidden childhood sexual abuse by a so-called `family friend'. I felt afraid and confused and had complete distrust in everyone after being let down and neglected so many times by family members, doctors, psychiatrists and social services.

"Initially, coming to YPAS felt like a daunting prospect, especially as I'd recently split with my partner and family relations were at an all time low. Looking back, I think it was this overwhelming sense of helplessness and loneliness which spurred me on to make the decision to call.

"Understandably I was a little unnerved by the prospect of having to take that first step all on my own, but everyone was really friendly and my meeting with the counsellor went well - for one of the first times in my life, I was beginning to feel like I'd been given a voice, which was actually understood.

"It took a good few months to get used to the counselling relationship and process, but gradually I began to see a ray of light showing me that things would get better. My counsellor has been like a rock, making me feel unconditionally accepted and `normal' (whatever that is!). More importantly, she has made me feel safe and human after years of thinking I was disgusting and somehow to blame for the abuse. She has helped me to find a new way of living with myself and my experiences that is actually positive - something I thought would never be possible.

"The counselling process is not a 'one stop shop' for immediate answers and solutions; there needs to be real determination on the client’s part too, dedicating time and a willingness to be open with the counsellor and themselves. This has been hard at times, especially when you have been conditioned for so long not to talk to anyone, but with the unconditional acceptance and support from my counsellor, this became easier.

"Four years on, I have reached a point where I feel ready to leave YPAS and the counselling relationship, and although my heart is filled with genuine grief at having to leave my counsellor, I also feel the most positive I have felt in a whole lifetime, as I have completed a journey which has given me a new beginning; a fresh start outside of the abuse and oppression where I can function and live happily on my own without having to rely on the counselling sessions.

"I'm not saying it's been a magical cure by any means, but I do have the strength and insight to be able to overcome my fears, trust my own feelings and change old, unhelpful habits which had been making me feel stuck for so long ... and this is all thanks to the wonderful people at YPAS and, of course, my counsellor, without whom I'd still be very lost and confused today."

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