Struggling to find a counsellor in Newhaven? Here’s how to start.
Recently a client of mine asked me whether I could recommend a counsellor for his partner.
This seemingly simple request, however, was not straightforward for me to answer as I don’t usually like recommending specific counsellors. If my client’s partner had taken my recommendation, and then had an unsatisfactory experience of the counselling, she could have felt let down or disappointed and possibly, she may have been put off giving counselling another try.
If someone does have a disappointing experience of counselling then it is not usually the case that their counsellor was simply not a good counsellor (although this can sometimes be the case) but rather, that they were simply not the right fit for that person.
I think that seeking counselling is a brave thing to do. It is one thing to acknowledge to ourselves that we are struggling and needing some professional help – but it is another thing to then reach out to a counsellor.
And searching for a counsellor can be a bit of a minefield – I mean, where do you start looking?
I thought it might be helpful to offer some information about how you can access counselling in the Newhaven area – and the sort of things you might wish to consider when deciding which is the best counsellor for you.
Face-to-face, online or telephone counselling
An initial thing to think about is whether you are looking for face-to-face, online or telephone counselling sessions.
Face-to-face sessions obviously limit you geographically to counsellors from your local area, whereas with online or telephone sessions you could approach counsellors from anywhere in the UK. I think you will find that nowadays most counsellors offer counselling in a variety of formats.
For a lot of people, having a counselling session face-to-face is much more personal than talking online. Sitting in the same room as your counsellor can help to create a more meaningful connection which can then lead to the developing of trust and honesty and help to build up the therapeutic relationship with the counsellor.
However, some people may feel a bit intimidated by this direct contact, or for practical and personal reasons cannot make the journey, and therefore would prefer to access counselling via their computer or telephone.
Sometimes people prefer a mix of formats – starting with face-to-face sessions, but then, due to work or family commitments, switching to online or telephone sessions if this is more convenient.
If a counsellor offers counselling in a variety of formats, then they should be willing to offer the sessions in a format that is appropriate and convenient for you.
How much will it cost?
Of course, your financial situation is going to be of prime consideration when you are thinking about counselling. Some people regard counselling as being a long-term investment in maintaining their overall mental wellbeing and are willing to pay for on-going private counselling.
(NB in the Newhaven area at the time of writing, the average cost per session is between £45-£60).
Some people will be willing to pay for counselling, but this would need to be time limited. For example, I have worked with clients who save up in advance for say, a block of 6 weekly sessions, so they can focus on a particular issue or problem.
For others though, where money is tight, then they would need to look at low cost or free counselling services.
NHS Funded Counselling in the Newhaven Area
Counselling can be accessed via your GP.
Usually however, this means that your mental health will have reached the point where the GP is able to diagnose a mental health condition. Sometimes medication will be offered. Sometimes you will be referred for counselling.
Due to the way NHS counselling is funded, which is in accordance with the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), the model of counselling that tends to be favoured is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT.
For more information, please check out the following links:
With NHS funded counselling, sessions will be time-limited (on average between 6-12 sessions). A counsellor will be allocated to you rather than you choosing your own.
If you live in the Newhaven area, then your NHS funded counselling will be provided via Health in Mind:
https://www.healthinmind.org.uk/
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
Another way of accessing free counselling is via an EAP service.
Many companies offer their employees a healthcare service as part of an overall benefits programme. This service is usually outsourced to a healthcare provider. Employees, and their immediate family members, can have access to free, short-term counselling.
If you are employed by a company – this is something you can check with either your Manager or your HR Manager.
Low-Cost Counselling Services in the Newhaven Area
If you can consider paying for your counselling, but cannot afford the full fee, then there are some organisations in the area which can help.
Counsellors who work for these organisations will be working for them on an employed basis either as qualified or trainee counsellors. While it is possible that there will be an emphasis on the CBT approach, the counsellors working for them will likely to be trained in a range of other approaches as well.
Here are details of two of these organisations in the area:
- Sussex Community Development Association
https://sussexcommunity.org.uk/our-services/sussex-community-counselling/
- Lewes Low-Cost Counselling Service
https://www.leweslowcostcounsellingservice.com/
Private Counsellors in the Newhaven Area
The way that most counsellors work in the UK is on a self-employed basis. This could be working from a room in their own home; from a private clinic offering counselling rooms; or, in a rented office or room in another building.
The advantage with private counsellors is that they are likely to be trained in a number of different approaches and potentially offer a number of specialisms. For example, some counsellors specialise in working with couples, or with young people, or with people who struggle with an eating disorder.
Counselling sessions with private counsellors are unlikely to be limited in terms of duration, and so the number of sessions you have is up to you and your counsellor.
Some counsellors will offer payment incentives – for example, if you book 10 sessions in advance you will get a 10% discount. Some will offer a sliding scale, depending on your personal financial situation. Some will offer a free first session, others do not. This information is likely to be on their website or can be discussed initially by telephone or email.
Therapy Platforms
Another way of accessing counselling is via a therapy platform. These have been emerging in the UK in recent years.
Their aim is to provide people with an easier way of accessing counselling and they are proving to be popular with those who are in their 20’s and 30’s.
Rather than you do the research into counsellors yourself, these platforms ask you questions about your situation and then aim to quickly connect you to a counsellor after analysing your details.
You will need to consider the possible issue with security and privacy of your information, as this may be shared with third parties. Counsellors take confidentiality very seriously and so this lack of privacy can be ethically problematic.
Here are a couple of organisations for you to check if using a therapy platform appeals to you:
- Betterhelp
- Welldoing
Online Counselling Directories
Another place to search for private counsellors is via an online directory.
There are many online directories in the UK although the main one is the BACP Directory of Therapists. To be eligible to appear in this directory counsellors will have been required to provide evidence of their training and to be accredited with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) or another registered ethical organisation:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/using-our-therapist-directory/
Other online directories which are helpful and easy to navigate, include The Counselling Directory and Psychology Today.
Not Online?
As a friend of mine pointed out to me – not everyone looks online – so, for those of you in the Newhaven area I would suggest you might look at the following magazines:
- Newhaven Matters (quarterly)
- Seaford Scene (monthly)
- Deans Magazine (monthly)
Or you can ask at the local public library.
Or some counsellors (me included) will put a business card or a flyer in their local newsagents or railway station.
Types of Counselling Approach
Counsellors listed on these directories will indicate their type of training. There are several different models of counselling – and here, the BACP provides a list of them with a brief description of each:
Unless you are interested in a particular model – research has shown that the most important indicator in the effectiveness of counselling, was the quality of the relationship between the client and the counsellor.
Other Considerations when Choosing a Counsellor
When looking for a counsellor I would encourage you to try to get a feel for the counsellor from what they say about themselves and how they work. Take a look at their website, or their directory listing, or see how you feel after an initial telephone conversation.
You may wish to see a photo of them; you may prefer to work with a female, or a male, or a transgender counsellor. You may wish to work with a counsellor of colour. It may be important to you that the counsellor has a lot of experience working with the issues/problems you are dealing with. It may be essential for you that the counsellor has disabled access on their premises.
All these considerations may see a bit daunting – however, remember that you do not have to continue working with the counsellor after your initial appointment. Every counsellor knows that they are not suited to work with everyone – so it is important that you feel comfortable with the counsellor from the outset.
Professional Ethical Bodies
It is very important to point out that qualified counsellors will be required to be a member of a professional body. The main ones in the UK are:
- Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC)
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- The National Counselling Society (NCS)
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Each of these professional bodies will have a code of ethics that the counsellor will be required to follow. If you would like more information about this, then your counsellor should be happy to provide further details and / or signpost you to the relevant code of ethics.
These professional bodies will also have a complaints procedure. If something happens in your sessions that you unhappy about then hopefully, you will feel able to discuss this with your counsellor. However, if you feel that your counsellor has not dealt with your complaint effectively, then the relevant professional body will be happy to support you.
Finding the support you need in the Newhaven area
Searching for the right counsellor can feel like a big task, but it’s an important step towards taking care of your mental health.
Remember, it’s all about finding someone who feels right for you, and sometimes that means meeting more than one counsellor, until you click with the right one.
Trust your gut, be patient with yourself, and know that it’s okay to move on if something doesn’t feel quite right.
You’re making a brave choice to seek help, and the right counsellor will be there to support you every step of the way.
Well done for getting this far – however, I believe that the rewards can be immense. Even life changing.
So, I would like to wish you all the best with your search.
Do you have a question? Or would you like to know how I work? Then please contact me now for a no-obligation chat.
07866-960396
