Teenage Problems/Expert Profile

Expertise

As a former youth worker, working in the UK and as a Camp Counsellor in the US, I have volunteered and helped young people from all over the world. I have worked for two or three websites like this in the past since I was about 13/14 and I continue to do so now at the age of 24. I can answer problems on a whole range of issues from friends and family, to drugs, sex, alcohol and relationships etc.

Experience in the area

I have worked as a youth worker for local organisations, volunteered on this and other websites giving out information for about 9 years, volunteered at my college and university doing face to face counselling and I have recently worked for an organisation in the UK which specialises in helping young people aged 13-19 to make positive decisions in their lives. I have featured in a UK based magazine called Aim Higher as a case study to show triumpth through adversity and I have recieved an Adult Learner's Award for my pioneering work at college.

Publications

The Dean and Chapter Positive Nation GTEN Television Aim Higher

Education/Credentials

BSc(Hons) Psychology Basic Counselling Skills Effective Listening Skills

Awards and Honors

Outstanding Student achievement Adult learner's Award

What do you like about this subject?

I enjoy helping young people because I think that the questions that they ask are the ones that usually no-one else would bother to.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope to help young people see their own potential for the better and to help them understand their own abilities.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Being a teenager is difficult...but so is being the parent of a teenager. A lot of problems within families occur purely because family members are too busy to sit down and talk to each other; of if they do, rather than be civil, it ends up a shouting match where no-one listens.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Giving your children everything is just as bad as giving them nothing, spoiling them is not the solution to turning them into good people.