Play Therapy & Counselling South West

19/11/2025

This is so important! Despite our parent/carer instincts of wanting to shut down the internet or take devices it’s so important children know they can come to you with anything and not be in trouble for it!

The rules around social media are about to change in a BIG way. If you're under 16 the most important thing we want you to remember is that if you're still on social after December 10 and something goes wrong - do NOT keep it a secret. You will not be in trouble if you find a way around the ban and it's important if you're faced with sextortion, deep fakes, cyberbullying or grooming, that you let someone know.

To help you navigate the social media rules, we've put together this guide for teens: https://kidshelpline.info/481JVBS

19/11/2025

Love this

22/07/2025

🌱 Life’s Road: A Journey Through Teenage Years, Acceptance, and Commitment

This powerful artwork, created by a local group of 16-year-olds, beautifully captures the winding and often confusing road of adolescence through the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the metaphor of “Passengers on the Bus.”

🚌 The Road Called LIFE
The central black road represents the journey of life—complete with choices, crossroads, and unexpected detours. The bus marked “LIFE” reminds us of the ACT metaphor: You are the driver of the bus, moving forward in life with all sorts of passengers (your thoughts, feelings, fears, and memories) riding along.

💭 Passengers on the Bus
Some passengers may yell, distract, or try to take over the wheel—like anxiety, shame, or pressure. We see them symbolized by areas such as the “No Shelter” zone, or dark paths leading into the smoggy city. But ACT teaches us that we don’t have to kick these passengers off—instead, we acknowledge them, make room for them, and keep driving toward what matters.

🌳 Values Along the Way
Look closely and you’ll see signposts like “FAMILY,” “FARM,” “SCHOOL,” “HEALTH AND FITNESS.” These reflect the core values that help teens decide which direction to take, even when emotions are loud or the future seems uncertain.

⚠️ Challenges of Being a Teen
Adolescence is a unique and intense stage of life. Teens face the pressures of identity, belonging, and independence—all while navigating the confusing intersections of choices and consequences. This artwork recognizes that struggle, showing paths that are hopeful and others that are unclear or unsafe.

🎨 Created by Teens, For Teens
This collaborative project was painted by 16-year-olds exploring their inner worlds and learning to “notice what shows up, name it, and navigate forward anyway.” It’s a visual reminder that while you can’t control every twist in the road or every passenger on the bus—you can choose the direction you steer toward.

🧭 Where’s your bus heading today? And who are your passengers?

The Illuminate U program was made possible thanks to a grant from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal