Helping people help themselves.

Registered Charity No 297034

Welcome to HCS

WHAT IS HELP COUNSELLING SERVICES?

H.C.S is a charity offering a free or low cost confidential service to all adults and young persons over 16 in the West Wiltshire area. The service is offered regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or cultural background, to people of any faith, or none. Our team of counsellors and staff are here to listen to your concerns and problems and help you to find your own way to personal well-being. Your identity will not be disclosed to anyone, although a supervisor and staff team will support your counsellor. It is our aim to provide a safe, supporting atmosphere in which you will be heard.

WHO CAN COME TO HELP FOR COUNSELLING?

Our counselling team has experience in helping people across a wide variety of issues, including broken relationships, fear, stress & anxiety, pain, loneliness, depression, historical & present abuse and many other difficulties. Your emotional and mental welfare will be our priority at all times.

We are not in the position to take on clients who are experiencing the following:

• Enduring mental health problems

• Severe addictions

• Severe personality disorders

• Or currently receiving counselling

HOW DO I MAKE A REQUEST FOR COUNSELLING?

Once you have contacted the office you will be sent a pack containing three leaflets, which explains the service and counselling. Within the pack is a green form which needs to be completed and sent back to us.  Once the form is received we contact you and arrange an initial assessment. These initial assessments take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 9:30am and 13:30pm and our aim is to see you within 2 weeks of first contact.

WHAT IS AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT?

This appointment will be made for you to meet the Service Manager. This will be like a counselling session, you will have time to talk and explain what your needs are. The terms of counselling will be explained more fully and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

HOW LONG CAN COUNSELLING LAST?

A counselling session lasts for 1 hour. How many sessions you require will depend largely on the presenting problem. You and your counsellor will review the work after 6 sessions and if necessary continue on for further sessions. You are free to discuss terminating your counselling at any time with your counsellor.

ARE THE COUNSELLORS QUALIFIED?

All our counsellors are qualified to a minimum of Diploma level or are in the Diploma year of training. Senior counsellors are working towards accreditation with BACP and are here at HELP voluntarily.

WHEN CAN I COME FOR COUNSELLING?

Our counsellors are available throughout the week, enabling flexibility. Our aim is to find you an appropriate counsellor within your time restraints.