What is counselling?
- Counselling provides a confidential setting for short term and longer
term therapeutic work where people can talk freely about any personal
issues which concern them. A counsellor can help to explore thoughts and
feelings to help gain greater understanding of concerns and to think through
options for making change or finding ways of managing their problems.
For example; You may be feeling overwhelmed, isolated, alone, depressed, angry, stressed, out of control. Counselling, being heard, listened to , acknowledged and valued, will help you to process these painful feelings.
You may have recently experienced a loss or bereavement, divorce or the break up of a relationship, or current conflict in relationships at work or at home. Having an opportunity to have these painful situations thought about with someone impartial will help to find a way forward.
You may be struggling with dependency issues, e.g. eating, alcohol, drugs, self harm or you may be struggling with something from the past which continues to cause difficulties in the present.
Various counselling interventions and techniques are available to help with these issues and this is usually discussed as part of your initial appointment to find out which intervention would be most appropriate and helpful for you at this time.
Who Comes for Counselling?
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Referrals are welcomed from a range of sources.
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People who work in a range of statutory, voluntary and independent companies may refer themselves. (see appointments )
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Referrals may come through E.A.P.s, (employee assistance programmes) who liase with a range of health care providers, NHS, local and national government agencies etc. (www.eapa.co.uk)
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Student counsellors in training where they are required to complete personal therapy hours as part of their criteria for their diploma course.
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Counsellors in private practice as part of their own professional development.
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Direct referrals from GP surgeries, the NHS and local/National Government agencies and private businesses on behalf of their employees.
Confidentiality.
Northumbria Counselling and Psychotherapy adheres to the strictest standards of confidentiality and counsellors are registered with and bound by The Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and its policies and Complaints Procedures. (www.bacp.co.uk) Information/personal records about clients including information on attendance is not given out to any external organisation except in the following circumstances,
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by prior arrangement as part of an E.A.P. or business contract.
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where the counsellor has the explicit consent of the client to disclose the information.
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where the counsellor would be liable to civil or criminal court procedures if the information was not disclosed.
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where the counsellor believes the client or a third party is in serious danger to themselves or others. (The Terrorism Act 2000) (The Childrens Act 1988).
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where disclosure is part of supervision/cpd, although anonymity is maintained.
Data Protection Information.
What Information Is Held and Why?
In order to carry out a professional effective service a record of
client attendance with brief notes about each counselling session is
maintained on a weekly basis. General anonymous statistics may be kept
and are solely used to monitor and improve the effectiveness of the
service. Records are kept securely while you are receiving counselling
and then disposed of confidentially two years from the date of ending
the therapy. Requests for information about personal records are subject
to a fee and copies of information kept must be made available within
40 days. (Data Protection Act 1988)
More information about The Data Protection Act 1988 can be obtained
from www.information.commissioner.gov.uk
emails may be sent requesting information on mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
If you have any further questions on data protection and confidentiality please ask.