Counselling

Our counselling service is delivered in partnership with Changing Lives.

Counselling offers a regular space to talk about the issues that you have in your life. You will meet your counsellor in a private and confidential setting. Your counsellor has the skills and training needed to help you explore your feelings and guide you through the issues affecting your life.

Our counselling service is short-term – we offer 8 sessions with a review on the fourth session and the eighth session and may suggest other services that will help you to move on from counselling. We offer counselling either face to face, via telephone or online (video link). If you choose face to face counselling, this could either be at our offices or at Changing Lives Hub 2 – 5 Princes Street, Doncaster.

Our counselling service is supported by a team of volunteer counsellors who are trained or, currently in the process of training to diploma or degree level. All of our counsellors are registered with a recognised professional body and have been assessed as competent to work with you. They are supported and advised by qualified experienced counsellors.

How can this help me?

Counselling can help people with a number of issues. The sessions can be helpful for people who may or may not have a mental health diagnosis, so you do not have to have a specific condition to access the support. Some examples of issues that people bring to counselling include depression, anxiety, relationships, abuse, bereavement and loss.

Your counsellor will not judge you or tell you what to do but will listen and help support you to make sense of the events and experiences in your life and identify any changes you may like to make. You and your counsellor will work together to develop coping techniques and strategies to help you overcome the difficulties you are facing.

Who is our counselling for?

Anyone over the age of 18 experiencing difficulties with their mental health or emotional wellbeing.

Cost

There are two ways that you can access counselling with us:

• Our general service is free for anyone over 18 who lives in the Doncaster area. This service is delivered by Doncaster Mind and Changing Lives. This services is popular and has a waiting list.
• Our fast track service costs £45 per session and is delivered by Doncaster Mind only. We aim to place you with a qualified and experienced counsellor to begin your counselling programme within two weeks.

Referring In

To refer in, simply complete our referral form here.

What will Happen Next?

Once we have received your referral you will be placed onto our triage waiting list and a member of therapy team will be in touch with you as soon as possible to arrange a suitable time for an initial call to ensure that counselling is the right service for you. If it is, you will be offered an assessment appointment - this offers an opportunity to share a little more about your situation but this is not a counselling session. It will enable us to ensure that the counsellor you work with is matched to your needs.

You will then be placed on to our counselling waiting list. When you get to the top of the list you will contacted by a counsellor to arrange your counselling sessions.

Contact Information

If you want to find out more you can contact a member of the counselling team by calling – 01302 812190 or email us at office@doncastermind.org.uk

When counselling may not be appropriate

Counselling is a uniquely personal and voluntary process which, at times, may feel uncomfortable or difficult. If you are in crisis or feel you need immediate support, then counselling is most likely not right for you at this moment in time. Please see our guidance on who you might want to contact. – Crisis Page

If you are considering counselling but feel anxious or unsure, a member of the counselling team can talk this through with you to help you with your decision.