What Is Counselling?

Counselling is a service that offers you a regular space and time for you to talk and explore worries and anxieties. This is carried out in a safe place where you will be listened to and understood by someone who is non-judgemental.

Counselling is not about advice or telling you what to do. Instead your counsellor will help you to clarify your issues and feelings and this can help you to decide on a way forward that is right for you.

Can Counselling Help Me?

‘Our counsellors have a wide breadth of experience in helping individuals to explore their issues and work towards their own goals of improving their personal situations and being able to manage their lives in a way that is beneficial to them. Counselling is not about telling people what to do nor is it about giving advice.

These issues can be very diverse in nature for example loss bereavement relationship or emotional problems work related situations or coping with the effects of redundancy.

No matter what your issues may be talking to a counsellor can help you make sense of what is happening to you and assist in considering other ways of improving your situation and helping you to feel better.
What Will Happen When I Come To Counselling?

Your first session will take approximately 90 minutes. This usually includes an assessment and information on the contracting process there will be discussion between you and your counsellor on the best way to proceed with the counselling sessions.

You will be asked to agree either a verbal or written contract with your counsellor during your first session. This will cover fees confidentiality boundaries within the counselling relationship length of time per session frequency and number of sessions. Expectations of both you the client and the counsellor will also be discussed.

If you don't think that you can work with the counsellor or there is agreement that counselling may not be the best approach for you help will be offered on how best to proceed from this point. This may include referring you to a more appropriate agency or organisation.
Is What I Discuss Confidential?

In short-yes. Counselling is a private confidential and individual service. Aside from very specific circumstances which will be discussed at your first session confidentiality will be maintained between you and your counsellor.
Counsellor's Qualifications

Each counsellor is professionally qualified and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practice within the guidelines of the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice.

To meet these requirements as a minimum all counsellors receive regular professional supervision monthly and have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.
What Can I Do If I Have Concerns With The Service?

You may be able to resolve your concern by discussing this with your counsellor. If you feel this has not helped please contact Christine Foster Clinical Supervisor on 07748 160 046.

If you wish you may also refer to the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice. This can be found on their website.

Can Counselling Help Me?

‘Our counsellors have a wide breadth of experience in helping individuals to explore their issues and work towards their own goals of improving their personal situations and being able to manage their lives in a way that is beneficial to them. Counselling is not about telling people what to do nor is it about giving advice.
These issues can be very diverse in nature, for example loss, bereavement, relationship or emotional problems, work related situations or coping with the effects of redundancy.
No matter what your issues may be, talking to a counsellor can help you make sense of what is happening to you and assist in considering other ways of improving your situation and helping you to feel better.

What Will Happen When I Come To Counselling?

Your first session will take approximately 90 minutes. This usually includes an assessment and information on the contracting process, there will be discussion between you and your counsellor on the best way to proceed with the counselling sessions.
You will be asked to agree either a verbal or written contract with your counsellor during your first session. This will cover fees, confidentiality, boundaries within the counselling relationship, length of time per session, frequency and number of sessions. Expectations of both you, the client and the counsellor will also be discussed.
If you don't think that you can work with the counsellor or there is agreement that counselling may not be the best approach for you, help will be offered on how best to proceed from this point. This may include referring you to a more appropriate agency or organisation.

About us

The aim for us is to deliver a fully inclusive and accessible service to anyone who needs help irrespective of their background, cultural beliefs or gender. Between us we have over 25 years experience in counselling and supervision, bringing an extensive range of skills and experience to the therapeutic relationship. The primary theoretical approaches employed are Humanistic/Person Centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Each counsellor is fully qualified, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and holds the relevant level of professional insurance.
As each person has their own unique experiences the therapy is tailored to specifically meet the needs of the client. This is discussed, and agreed, with the client at the outset of the therapeutic relationship. In working with people we endeavour to ensure we are fit to practice, as outlined in the BACP's Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Part of this is to ensure that we all undergo supervision, on at least a monthly basis, and keep up to date with both personal and professional development to make sure we deliver the best possible service to all.

Trading Since

we have over 25 years experience in counselling