You may feel anxious when you first phone us. It takes courage to call. Our volunteers are well qualified and experienced and well aware of the difficulties faced by callers and will treat you with respect. You will not be persuaded to talk if you do not want to say too much. Take your time and say as much or as little as you wish. You can always call again.
We are here to listen and support you and to give information and advice about the services we offer. The helpline is available from Tuesday and Fridays 10am to 4pm and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 9pm. At all other times there is a 24hour answer phone and if you leave a message including a first name and telephone number someone will return your call. We do not identify ourselves to anyone else answering your telephone and our number cannot be traced by a call-back service.
We can also refer you to other organisations if our service is not the most appropriate one for you.
Women are not automatically placed on a waiting list. Your needs will be assessed and then you may be invited to begin support sessions or, if more appropriate to your needs, wait for counselling. Entering a counselling relationship can take courage. Initallially counselling can be painful or disturbing, but can prove to be rewarding. Sessions are usually on a weekly basis when the counsellor uses her skills to help you work through and find ways of dealing with your problems and painful feelings.
Counselling is not about giving advice, telling you what to do or making decisions for you. It is to enable you to do these things for yourself.
We work to BACP ethical guidelines and the counsellor and client will agree a contract for an initial period of time. We do not charge our clients, but as we are a charity and our counsellors are qualified specialists, who all give their time voluntarily, any donations given to the Centre are very welcome.
