Review of a community-based youth counselling service in Ireland

Abstract

The structure and operation of a community-based youth counselling service operated by the Kildare Youth Services (KYS), Ireland, are examined with a view to highlighting the preventative nature of such a service. Presenting problems are explored, in the context of the wider social milieu. Particularly, recent trends in sexual behaviour, substance abuse and child sexual abuse are examined. Interviews were conducted with a sample of professionals who referred clients, patients and students to the KYS Youth Counselling Service. Interviews were also conducted with a small sample of clients of the service and with the counsellor-coordinator of the Youth Counselling Service. The service was viewed positively throughout the community and its role in the prevention of further distress was highlighted.

School‐ and community‐based counselling services for children and young people aged 7–18 in the UK: A rapid review of effectiveness, implementation and acceptability

“…Three qualitative evaluations reported on the acceptability of counselling within specialist school settings (Cobbett, 2016; Pattison & Harris, 2006; Warr, 2010). Three evaluations reported on the acceptability of counselling within community settings (Duncan et al, 2020; Lalor et al, 2006; Wilkinson et al, 2018). However, there were some learners who reported issues around counselling acceptability.…”

“…There were several implementation issues identified that could have affected the overall effectiveness outcomes. Many of the participants did not know about the service or had misconceptions about the service, which inhibited access (Duffy et al, 2021;Fox & Butler, 2007;Government W, 2011aGovernment W, , 2011bHamilton-Roberts, 2012;Hennigan & Goss, 2016;Lalor et al, 2006;Le Surf & Lynch, 1999;McArthur et al, 2016;Parsons & Dubrow-Marshall, 2018;Pattison, 2010;Prior, 2012aPrior, , 2012bSpratt et al, 2007). In addition, there were issues with the counselling space and its location leading to concerns about confidentiality (Duffy et al, 2021;Fox & Butler, 2007;Le Surf & Lynch, 1999;Parsons & Dubrow-Marshall, 2018).…”

“…Systematic and literature reviews (Cooper, Pybis, et al, 2013; Lalor et al, 2006; Pattison & Harris, 2006) have aimed to synthesise the evidence base on counselling; however, they tend to be limited by a focus on effectiveness, rather than focussing on intervention context, implementation or stakeholder acceptability. This reflects a wider issue in the counselling literature, namely that it has been slow to incorporate a complex system lens to service development and evaluation (Jacobson et al, 2019; Langellier et al, 2019).…”

What Adolescents Seeking Help Teach us About a School-Based Counseling Service

“…Hence, adolescents can meet the counselor in a variety of circumstances and he/she can work to reduce barriers by means of multiple ways. The integration in the school setting allows "infiltration" to parts of the community that other counselors would have little access to (Lalor, O'Dwyer, & McCrann, 2006).…”