Counselling

What is counselling?

Most of us have experienced times when the problems of life seem insurmountable; when we feel anxious, depressed or overwhelmed with pressure; when we may feel helpless or out of control or just can’t cope. Counselling offers the opportunity to find a way through these difficulties in a reliable professional relationship where support, trust and safety are an integral part of the process. A trained counsellor can help you to make connections that may enable you to understand why you get stuck in certain patterns of life so that we gain a deeper understanding of yourself. In this way you can become more accepting of yourself and those around you; you can develop new ways to cope with life’s challenges and thereby increase your freedom to choose how you live.

What happens next?

If you and your doctor think that counselling may be helpful for you, please read this leaflet carefully. If you feel comfortable with the terms, sign the attached form and return it in to the receptionists at the surgery. The counsellor will telephone you within a few days to arrange an assessment appointment. This will be an opportunity for you to explore your issues more deeply so that you and the counsellor can decide whether you would benefit from a series of sessions. You may then have to wait for several weeks until a regular vacancy becomes available. Sessions last for 50 minutes, and you will probably meet with the counsellor for several weeks.

The counsellor will ask you to fill in a questionnaire before your first meeting, so please arrive at least 15 minutes early for your initial appointment.

Cancellations

If you are unable to attend a counselling appointment, please inform the surgery as soon as you can so that we can use the time for someone else. We have a list of people waiting to be seen, and it is important that we use the time efficiently.

Confidentiality

During the counselling sessions you will discuss a lot of different issues and your counsellor will ensure your confidentiality.  She is however, required to keep minimal records and these will be available to some designated members of the Primary Health Care Team.  If for any reasons disclosure of the contents of these records is requested by a third party, you will be asked for your permission to do so. There may be occasions when the counsellor has concern for your safety or the safety of another person. She reserves the right to contact your doctor if this occurs.  The counsellor will discuss this with you and work with you and your doctor to help you at that time.  

Val Parker also has a private practice which patients may self-refer if they wish.  The receptionist will be able to supply her telephone number.