First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm a journalist and counsellor and have been working to help people overcome their problems for nearly 20 years now. I've counselled a wide variety of people of all ages - both face-to-face and online, specialising in family matters, bringing up children and the most common anxieties of the teenager years such as eating disorders, depression and self-harm.  For the last nine years I've written an advice column- called Dear Dilys - for various newspapers in the south of England . Over the years, all manner of readers' problems have cropped up - you'll find an archive of some of my columns here.

For your own problems, you can email me through the 'ask Dilys' section. All emails will be treated in confidence and you can expect a private reply. None of these questions and answers will be published on the site for others to read unless at some stage you give me your express permission. 

 As a result of my experience of counselling young people, I've learned there's often a great need  for confidential and quick advice - so I'm offering my services free here to anyone under the age of 25.  If you have any relationship problems or sexual difficulties that you need quick responses to, I'm here to answer those for you.  I know sometimes it can be embarrassing to talk to friends, families or teachers about such stuff.....so here you can do it anonymously.

For anyone else with problems - in other words adults in work - I'll answer one email without charge but - if you find that helpful and want to come back for more -  thereafter will make a  charge. I'll then ask you to pay through my Paypal account at the same time as you email me your dilemma/problem/request for advice. 

CREDIT CRUNCH/RECESSION ADVICE

To address the new problems arising out of the Credit Crunch, I've decided to reduce fees in order to try to help people through these tough times.   So if you're suffering from loss of work, or reduction in hours or pay and are finding this leading to all sorts of unexpected emotional difficulties.....please don't hesitate to email me.  I hope to be able to help people tackle these dark and difficult days and see that there are ways to pull through.  It's often really hard for those who've been accustomed to being a success, to cope with changed circumstances and status, to know how to value themselves if they've been used to relying on their work to make them feel good about themselves.  And that's where I hope I can be useful in helping people re-focus on what's valuable to them.

Sometimes in the middle of a recession it can feel like there's no light at the end of the tunnel.......but please don't suffer alone.  Don't let the recession turn into a depression for you.   It's an old cliche but a problem shared is often a problem halved. 

 Surely worth a try at least!  So email me and I'll hope to come to some mutually affordable arrangement.

I'm also available for Instant Messaging help....through MSN or SKype.  Or telephone advice - details of which can be discussed once you get in touch.   Please don't hesitate to make contact...it may not be as difficult or costly as you think...I'm sure we can work something out.

NEW NEWS

As a result of appearing on and listening to BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour this morning, it seems there's a great need out there for advice for parents on bringing up teenagers.  Having counselled teenagers for some 17 years, I believe I have an idea where things can go wrong in families.  I see no point in blaming parents or demonising kids, but prefer instead to help each side why and where they wind each other up.

If you'd like to email me about this please feel free to do so - and I'll see what I can come up with to help.