MAKE A MELODY
MUSIC THERAPY
Counselling Services
At Make A Melody, we provide professional counselling services for young people across Northern Ireland. Through our partnership with the Education Authority, we offer supportive counselling to students in both mainstream and special education settings. Our qualified counsellors create safe, confidential spaces where students can explore their thoughts and feelings. We use a student-centered, evidence-based approach to help young people develop resilience and emotional well-being.
Our Mission
At Make A Melody, our mission is to enhance emotional wellbeing and mental health across Northern Ireland through accessible, high-quality counselling services. We are committed to:
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Creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves
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Empowering people of all ages with the tools and strategies to navigate life's challenges
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Supporting clients in various educational and community settings
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Working collaboratively with schools and organisations to address diverse needs
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Promoting a culture where seeking support for mental health is normalised and encouraged
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We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to develop resilience, self-awareness, and positive coping skills. Through compassionate counselling and evidence-based practices, we strive to help individuals build stronger foundations for their mental health and overall wellbeing.
School's HOPE Counselling Service
Our Schools HOPE (Holistic Options for Promoting Emotional wellbeing) Service represents a comprehensive approach to supporting young people's mental health within educational environments. This innovative programme recognises that students today face numerous challenges as they develop essential life skills and prepare for adulthood.
Students experiencing emotional difficulties or stress often struggle to fully engage with their education and may not reach their academic potential. Our Schools HOPE Service addresses this by providing accessible, professional counselling support directly within the school environment.
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The service is designed to be flexible and responsive to individual needs. Students, parents, or school staff can initiate a referral, ensuring that support is available when and where it's needed most. Our team of qualified counsellors works collaboratively with schools to create an integrated approach to student wellbeing.
How to Access Our Schools HOPE Service​
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Our counselling support can be requested through multiple pathways:
Student self-referral through designated school processes
Parent or carer referral with appropriate consent
School staff referral with student agreement
Drop-in sessions during designated times
Schools We Currently Support
Our Schools HOPE Service operates across a wide network of educational institutions throughout Northern Ireland, including mainstream schools, grammar schools, and specialist educational settings.
Belfast Schools |
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St Genevieve's High School |
St Dominic's High School |
St Colm's High School, Dunmurry |
Dundonald High School |
St Louise's Comprehensive College |
De La Salle College |
Colaiste Feirste |
All Saints College |
Mercy College |
Dominican College, Fortwilliam |
Blessed Trinity College |
Strathearn School |
St Joseph's College |
Our Lady & St Patrick's College |
Belfast Model School for Girls |
Belfast Boys' Model School |
Bloomfield Collegiate School |
Ashfield Girls' High School |
Ashfield Boys' High School |
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School |
St Malachy's College |
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution |
Belfast Royal Academy |
Grosvenor Grammar School |
Campbell College |
Aquinas Grammar School |
Western Region Schools |
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Holy Cross College, Strabane |
Strabane Academy |
Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh |
Omagh High School |
Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore |
Specialist & EOTAS Provision |
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Downpatrick EOTAS |
Lough Road EOTAS, Lurgan |
Maydown EOTAS, Derry/Londonderry |
Long Tower EOTAS, Derry/Londonderry |
Newstart EOTAS, Belfast |
Pathways EOTAS, Belfast |
Ardmore House School, Downpatrick |
Knockevin Special School, Downpatrick |
Cedar Lodge Special School, Belfast |
Ardnashee Special School, Derry/Londonderry |
Donard Special School, Banbridge |
Ceara Special School, Lurgan |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling about?
When we face challenges that feel overwhelming, it can be like trying to solve a complex puzzle with scattered pieces. Counselling provides a supportive space where you can work through these difficulties, helping to organise your thoughts and feelings so that everything begins to make more sense.
What happens during counselling sessions?
Counselling offers you a private, confidential space to discuss anything that's concerning you. Your counsellor won't make judgments or tell you what to do, but will guide you to explore your options and support you in making your own informed decisions.
Who are the counsellors?
Our counsellors are professionally qualified and experienced practitioners who specialise in working with young people. They are trained to provide a listening ear without judgment and to help you work through your thoughts and feelings about whatever is troubling you.
Where do counselling sessions take place?
Sessions take place in a dedicated, private room within your school. This ensures a comfortable, safe environment where conversations remain completely confidential. Sessions typically last up to 50 minutes, and appointment times are arranged to minimise disruption to your education.
When is counselling available?
Your counsellor will be available on scheduled school days, and sessions will be arranged at times that work for you. There are also opportunities for informal drop-in sessions when you need immediate support.
Is counselling confidential?
Everything you share in counselling remains private and won't be discussed with others without your consent. The only exception would be if there were serious safety concerns for you or someone else - this will always be explained clearly during your initial meeting.
Do my parents need to know?
Counselling is most effective when you have family support, so we encourage open communication with parents or carers. However, if you prefer to access counselling privately, your school will assess whether this is appropriate based on your understanding of the process and your ability to make informed decisions about your wellbeing.
General Counselling Services
Individual Counselling Sessions
Our individual counselling sessions provide a confidential, one-to-one environment where clients can explore personal challenges with a qualified counsellor. Each session is tailored to your specific needs, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help you develop effective coping strategies. Whether you're managing anxiety, navigating life transitions, or working through past experiences, our sessions offer the focused support you need to move toward positive change.
Group Counselling Sessions
Our group counselling sessions create supportive communities where participants share experiences and learn from one another under professional guidance. Small-group environments provide opportunities to develop communication skills, build connections, and gain diverse perspectives on common challenges. Through structured activities and discussions, participants find comfort in shared experiences while developing strategies for managing mental health.
Workshops and Seminars
Our workshops and seminars offer interactive learning experiences focused on key mental health topics and practical coping strategies. These group-based educational sessions combine expert guidance with collaborative activities to build resilience and enhance wellbeing in everyday life. Each event is designed to provide valuable tools and insights that participants can immediately apply to their personal or professional situations.