Hello. My name is Roy Whyte, and I am a client centred integrative counsellor. Which means that I have been trained in a core model which puts you, the client, at the centre of everything I do. The integrative part means that I’ve been trained in other counselling methods of counselling which I have added to my core model of training. 

Working with children and young people is a gift. To hear their stories, empathise with their struggles and help them to build their resilience and move on in their life journey is a privilege, as well as helping young people to understand that they already possess the skills needed within themselves to work through and potentially overcome their difficulties.

I draw on a wide range of experiences in my counselling work; I have worked in the voluntary sector as a residential social worker; in a Social Services day centre for older people; a primary school teacher; a counsellor, supervisor, and trainer. 

It was whilst I was a teacher that I realised, some children needed more emotional help than I was realistically able to give. I therefore trained as a counsellor and joined The Listening Ear Counselling Service based in Bournemouth; a charity which specialises in working with children and young people. This led to working widely with young people within the local authority and Social Services arena. 

I set up a counselling service at a local junior school in Bournemouth, with younger children and I worked at a local secondary school with teenagers.