Counselling can assist you in dealing with a wide range of issues, from day-to-day worries or concerns, to more serious, long-term psychological problems.

Counselling can help you come to terms with distressing or traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, or confusion about your identity or sexual orientation. It can also be an effective way of dealing with long-term mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Bereavement counselling is a specialised area of counselling which requires specific training and experience.

How can a counsellor help?

A counsellor is someone who is highly trained, who can listen to your problems without passing judgement, and can assist you in finding strategies and changes in behaviour that will help you to resolve issues and in finding new ways to think and behave .
By discussing your concerns with you, the counsellor will be able to help you gain a better understanding of your feelings and actions, as well as suggesting ways for you to find your own solutions to your problems.

Finding a counsellor: The best ways to find a counsellor include recommendations, referrals from your GP, The counselling directory, which provides details and credentials of registered counsellors, and the BACP website which lists all accredited Counsellors and psychotherapists (see the useful links on this website for more details).

All accredited and recognised counsellors are required to attend regular supervision meetings and undergo their own personal therapy. This ensures that a counsellor works safely and ethically at all times.

The counsellor will assist and encourage you to identify issues more easily and take personal responsibility where appropriate. They can help you to recognise the effect of other peoples behaviour, and actions, on you as an individual, and to explore alternative ways of coping.
It can be a great relief to be able to share your worries and fears with someone who will validate your experience of the world, this can assist you in reaching positive resolutions.

Confidentiality

What you tell me is completely confidential. From time to time I may take aspects of sessions to supervision, your identity is never disclosed. Legally I am required to break confidentiality if you express an intent to hurt yourself, others or commit an act of terrorism.
There are many different types of counselling that are available in a range of different formats.

Counselling can take place

• Face-to-Face
• Over the telephone
• By email.

You may be offered counselling as a single session, as a short-term course of sessions for a few weeks or months, or as a long-term arrangement that lasts for many months or years.