Introduction

Kia ora koutou, 

I work part time as a counsellor with rangatahi (young people) who range in age from 11-19 years of age. 

Rangatahi come to counselling with a range of issues which mostly relate to their developmental stage as they seek to individuate and become more of their own person by developing their own ideas, their own way of doing life, their own values and beliefs,and their own expression of gender. And generally this is where they come into conflict with family and whanau, teachers, siblings, friends, and other systems. Essentially, young people are at the mercy of adults who hold most of the power.  

There is a lot of anxiety, especially as it relates to school expectations, family and whanau expectations, and relationship ideals and expectations. Then there's the bullying, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, suicide, alcohol and drugs. I could go on and on but you don't need that. 

BUT and it's a BIG BUT these rangatahi are amazing, in spite the overwhelming issues they encounter everyday they mostly get on with their lives in the best way they know how.