Our most common questions

Our most common questions

We’re constantly asked questions about our services and have put together the following questions to answer the most common queries.

If your question wasn’t answered below please get in touch with us.

Connect Counselling Service is a professional Counselling service that is accredited by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). We are a charity that began in 1994 and we offer a safe and confidential environment for clients to discuss their concerns, receive support, and work towards personal growth and well-being. We offer individual counselling and Couples counselling for adults (aged 18 or over) and Family Therapy, for family units.

You can make contact with us by telephoning us on 01276 24 210 or by completing our contact form on the website. Our friendly staff will take down some information from you and, once in the system, you will then be offered an initial appointment to talk to a counsellor about your concerns and difficulties. If you are unsure if counselling will help you, please phone, as it may be that we can provide what you are looking for.

After the initial appointment, if you like us and we feel that counselling is a suitable way forward for you at this time, you will be placed on a waiting list to be matched with a counsellor, who is available when you are available. There is usually a wait.

We are committed to ensuring that our service is affordable and accessible. We ask that clients make a financial donation to the continuation of the agency as, as a charity, we rely on donations.

We provide support for a wide range of personal and emotional issues, which often includes; anxiety; depression; stress; grief and loss; relationship difficulties; self-esteem issues; trauma and more. Our counsellors are trained to help you explore and address these challenges in a supportive, non-judgemental and empathic way.

Absolutely. Connect follows strict confidentiality to ensure the privacy and security of your personal information. Please see our GDPR policy on the website for more details. All information shared during counselling sessions is kept confidential within legal and ethical boundaries. There are situations required by safeguarding and law when confidentiality may be breached. This is explained to you at the start of counselling and please ask questions if you want to understand further. All counsellors receive supervision where they discuss their caseload, in line with ethical working practices.

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes. This duration is for you to have time and space to explore your concerns, understand your feelings, begin to set goals and work towards positive change.

The number of counselling sessions required varies depending on individual needs and circumstances. Some clients may find that a few sessions are sufficient to address their concerns, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy. Your counsellor will work collaboratively with you to regularly review how counselling is going for you and discuss the anticipated duration of your counselling. 

We understand the importance of finding the right fit with a counsellor and with you starting counselling as soon as possible. Our Counselling Team Manager matches your availability with a counsellors availability and this works well. All our counsellors are compassionate professionals committed to providing high-quality care.

There are various types of therapy offered at Connect, including person-centred therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and integrative therapy. Each approach has its own unique focus and techniques, and the choice of therapy will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you have any questions, please ask your counsellor or phone us to understand more. Counselling is a collaborative process between the client and counsellor and feedback is often really helpful to tailor to each individual’s needs.

After explaining about confidentiality and how sessions will run (for example, same time on the same day each week, the importance of letting us know in advance if you are unable to attend a session) your counsellor will invite you to take the time you need, and tell us why it is that you are here for counselling. The Counsellor will listen and may ask clarifying questions, to help them understand. The counsellor may ask you what it is that you hope to get out of counselling. This is really important as then you will both know where you are aiming for!

The sessions are yours to use how you would like each week. Connect is client-led and not usually directive. As time goes on, your counsellor may ask you questions to better understand your situation and feelings. These questions may invite you to explore your current challenges, past experiences, family history, relationships, and any symptoms or emotions you are experiencing. The purpose is to gain insight into your unique circumstances and tailor the therapy to your specific needs.

The waiting time for an appointment at Connect can vary depending on demand and availability. We strive to schedule appointments as promptly as possible. There is usually a wait, both for an initial appointment and for ongoing sessions, but we make every effort to accommodate clients in a timely manner. The greater your availability for sessions, the easier it is to match with a counsellor, where counselling is deemed an appropriate way forward.

Yes, Connect offers Family Therapy (FT) as part of its services. Family therapy is designed to help families improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationships. Our trained counsellors are experienced in working with families and can provide support and guidance to address various family dynamics and challenges. Whether you are facing conflicts, transitions, or other issues within your family, our family counselling sessions can assist in fostering healthier relationships and creating a more harmonious family environment.

We welcome children to our Family Therapy. Outside of this, our service is only for adults aged 18 or over.

As a charity we welcome your support. There are various ways you can support Connect. You can consider making a financial donation to help us continue providing accessible counselling services to those in need. Additionally, you can volunteer your time, skills, or resources to support our organisation, for example as an Office Helper. Spreading awareness about our service is great, many clients come on recommendation by friends and family. If you are interested in supporting Connect please telephone us and we can discuss – thank you.