SUPPORT AND WELLBEING

Counselling service

A free service for adults.
Young people can be referred through our Youth Mental Health Support Service if needed.

The counselling service at the Prout Bridge Project is co-ordinated by Amy Lawrence who is an experienced and qualified counsellor.

The counsellors are members of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) or another professional association. The counselling service operates in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. 

What is counselling?

• Counselling is a listening service and allows you to be heard

• Counselling helps people to understand themselves better and to find ways to improve their lives

•  By talking in private with a counsellor, you can have the space to explore feelings and worries safely

•  Counsellors are trained to listen to you carefully and to try to understand what things are like for you

•  Counsellors will not make judgements, give advice, or expect you to do things or talk about things unless you choose to do so

What do people talk about?

You can use your counselling sessions for any concerns that are personal to you, but some issues people talk to us about are: 

• Self-confidence

• Feeling shy or lonely

• Fear and worries

• Relationships /friendships

• Making changes

• Things that feel private

• Things that make you concerned

• Sexual matters

• Eating problems

• Sexuality

• The past or the future

• Use of drugs, alcohol or other substances

• Lifestyle

• Stressful situations

• Feeling suicidal

• Bereavement

• Depression

• Sexual, physical or emotional abuse

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Traumatic events or difficult memories

  You can talk about anything you wish, it's up to you …                                   

What happens in a counselling session? 

• Counselling sessions are weekly and last for 50 minutes

• You will need to commit to attending regularly

• You will meet 1-1 with your counsellor

• Some clients decide that one or two sessions are enough or agree more sessions later - this can be reviewed 

• You can decide what you want to talk about, although the counsellor may ask you to give some background details in the early sessions

• You can ask questions if there are things you are unsure about

• You may find you feel shy, upset, anxious, nervous or unsure when you first start counselling, but sticking with it will help you and your counsellor to build a trusting relationship 

• If you find talking difficult, the counsellor may suggest doing things in different ways – through games, art, drama, writing and so on – but it will be up to you to decide whether this is for you

• The counsellor will give you time to think about what you want to say – silences can be part of the session and these can help people gather their thoughts
  

How Can I access these services?
Making a referral to the counselling service is straightforward. 

• Make an enquiry on 07503091932 or email at info@proutbridgeproject.com

• Fill in a referral form here, or use the link to our online form in the making a referral section of this page. All referrals are completely confidential.

• A counsellor will contact you to make an appointment

Is there a cost?
There is no charge for counselling sessions. Donations are gratefully received.
We are grateful to the counselling professionals who generously give their time to the Prout Bridge Project.