On your first visit you will meet and get to know your counsellor. You will talk about what you need and how your counsellor can help you.
Your counselling sessions are usually every week and last 50 minutes – you and your counsellor can arrange that between you.
You can look at how you’re feeling with your counsellor in lots of different ways; by talking, drawing, using resources and being creative – whatever feels comfortable for you.
You will see your counsellor for as long as you both feel you need to. Sessions will typically last for six to 12 weeks, sometimes longer up to six months.
What you talk about will be kept safe from other people, but if you or someone else were at risk of being hurt, your counsellor will need to tell someone about that and will discuss this with you beforehand.
We aim to see you as soon as possible. However, sometimes you may have to wait, but not for too long.
We have both male and female counsellors, and you can choose who you would like to speak to.
The counsellors are professionally qualified and working towards accreditation – we also have trainee counsellors in the team. All our counsellors and trainees belong to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
You can share your problems with our counsellors and they will help you make sense of what’s going on. They will also give you the time and space to express yourself in your own way.
You can call us on 01344 311200 to make an appointment to see us, or you can ask someone else to call in for you – teacher, mentor, parent, carer, key worker or a friend.
If you feel it’s not working for you and would like to change your counsellor, we can arrange that for you. However, we encourage you to work this through with your counsellor first. If you feel you’re not being treated right you can speak to the Counselling Co-ordinator who will listen to your complaint.