Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for you to talk about your issues and concerns. Our counsellors will listen to you without judgement so you feel heard and understood. Our counsellors are trained to help you express feelings and thoughts and make sense of your experience as well as initiate change when you are ready to do so. Anything you discuss with your counsellor remains completely confidential.
Who can benefit?
Anyone can benefit from counselling. You don’t need to have been diagnosed with a mental health condition or even be distressed to get something out of counselling.
Please note that our low cost counselling service is not a crisis service and we may need to refer you on if you are feeling suicidal or you are experiencing, or have recently experienced, psychotic episodes. If you are in crisis and need immediate support, contact your GP, visit the accident and emergency department (A&E) at your local hospital or call the Samaritans at any time on the free number 116 123.
What can counselling help me with?
- Dealing with an HIV diagnosis.
- Sex and relationships.
- Drugs and alcohol.
- Chemsex.
- Issues around gender identity, sexual orientation or another aspect of your identity.
- Life changes and transitions.
- Difficult emotions and low self-esteem.
- Grief and loss.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list.
Online and in-person counselling
Counselling works through the therapeutic relationship between you and your counsellor, where the counsellor is genuine, non-judgmental and empathic and provides a space where you feel safe. Anything you discuss with your counsellor remains completely confidential.
We offer both online and in-person counselling.
People often choose online counselling because it is more convenient and better fits their lifestyles or working hours. You must have a suitable private space, ensuring no other adults or children in the room. We use Teams for online counselling sessions and you can use a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
We offer in-person counselling at our centres in London, Brighton and Glasgow.
Cost
We offer low-cost counselling sessions determined by your annual income:
• If you earn £50,000 or more per year, you'll be charged £60 per session.
• If you earn £40,000 or more per year, you'll be charged £50 per session.
• If you earn £30,000 to £39,999, you'll be charged £40 per session.
• If you earn below £30,000, you'll be charged £30 per session.
We can provide up to 12 free sessions per person per year for people who are living with HIV and on a low income. These free sessions are paid for from our charitable funds and are available to those in genuine need.
Payment for sessions must be paid for upfront at least 48 hours before your session. You can either pay for as many sessions as you like upfront or on a weekly per-session basis at least 48 hours before your session.
