We are The Counselling and Family Centre, a local charity that has been at the heart of the community for over 40 years.
We pride ourselves of being by your side "For Whatever Life Throws at You'". From the age of 5 up through the teens and into adulthood and on through maturity we will be there for you whatever the problem.
You May Also Consider (Sponsored)
Quick Start Online Therapy: Tell Us a Little About Yourself and Get Matched With a Therapist Right for You
Take a simple guided quiz and let us know your preferences. Get matched to an online therapist right for you. Convenient and affordable online therapy from your phone, tablet or computer.
Have you been in therapy before?
Services Offered
Children & young people
We know life is full of challenges, and that sometimes things can just feel like too much. You might find yourself feeling angry all the time, or tearful and upset at the slightest thing, or pull away from everyone and feel very alone, as if everything is hopeless. You might not feel like eating, or find yourself eating all the time. Your sleep may be broken by nightmares and you could feel bad about yourself and maybe even want to hurt yourself. These are strong feelings - we can help.
When this happens it can help to talk to someone outside friends, school and family. We offer a safe place to talk and help you to understand what's happening to you and get you back on track.
Individual Counselling
We can help you make better sense of what's happening in your life. You will learn more about yourself, sort out what your needs are, and decide what's really important to you. You will never be judged or criticised, and anything you share is kept in confidence (excluding child protection issues).
There's no minimum or maximum number of counselling sessions you have to come to. You can come for as long as you find it useful, and finish when you like, but please work with your counsellor before ending so that together you can come to a helpful conclusion.
Relationship Counselling
We've all heard that a good relationship needs work to keep it healthy, and we all want our relationship's to work. How to do it is another matter! Good communication is vital in any relationship, and this is where sitting together with a counsellor can really help. Couples who have been to counselling generally benefit from the clarity it gives to their thoughts and the opportunity it gives to explore emotions in a calm, safe, undisturbed environment. The role of the counsellor is not to tell you what to do, or even pass on advice, but to help you and your partner to find the best solutions that work for you.
It doesn't matter if you're married, living together, single, gay or straight - we're here to help you.
Family Counselling
Families can be a source of support, love, encouragement and joy. Sometimes however families are put under strain and family members can start to feel isolated, overlooked, upset and angry. Family counselling can also be useful for adult siblings and when there are splits and conflicts in any adult family relationships. You may be having difficulties with your grown up daughter or son. There may be problems with in-law relationships. Wherever help is need the only criteria is that you are related to each others.
Families Affected by Addiction Issues
We understand that someone using substances can affect the whole family and how people behave and relate to each other. Often the family members suffering goes unnoticed or can be viewed as not as important as the 'addicted persons'. We recognise that the family as a whole, or individual family members can start to become emotionally unwell due to the stress of caring for their loved one who is using.
We realise how stressful it is for you living with or being in relationship with someone who is using. It can be hard to know if what you're doing is really helping and how much you are affected by someone else's behaviour. We can help you identify and understand your role in the addict's recovery, but even more crucially help you to bring emotional wellbeing back into your own and your family's life. We will support you to maintain direction and control of your life.
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity
Your assessment session and the first eight counselling sessions are free, though we would appreciate a donation. If you would like to continue with your counselling after the eight free sessions, you will be eligible for our subsidised rate per session or, if you are on a Means Tested Benefit, £5 per session. Proof of income must be provided to access free and concessionary rates.
No one, however, is turned away because they cannot afford the cost.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.