Counselling
If you are a carer or have been a carer, you may experience many emotions – anxiety, guilt, sadness, fear, anger, to name just a few. Counselling can help you work through these emotions in a safe, confidential environment.
How do I access counselling?
You can access counselling through the NHS via the Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service, who provide both group and individual counselling, to private providers or through Carers in Bedfordshire.
How much will it cost?
This varies depending on who you access counselling with. Via the NHS it is usually free although there can be a wait, private providers can charge around £60 per hour and we charge £25 per hour.
How many sessions will I need?
Counselling is a process, and it takes time and consistency to work effectively. You are likely to need at least six sessions initially, after which your counsellor will review what’s right for you.
Our counselling service
Counselling can take different forms depending on your needs and what type of therapy may be suitable for you.
Most counselling takes place in planned, regular sessions which last for around 50 minutes. How often you see your counsellor and how many appointments you have will depend on your individual circumstances and will be agreed between you and your counsellor.
The type of counselling we offer is called ‘person centred.’ The counsellor will gently encourage you to talk about what’s going on for you and help you identify how to change or manage things in a different way going forward. A counsellor does not give direct advice or opinions.
Our counsellors offer face to face counselling in Bedford and Biggleswade, phone counselling or video link sessions.
We offer counselling to carers aged 11+ and can also support former carers.
We offer an average of eight sessions initially but your counsellor will review this with you around the sixth session. If they feel that additional sessions would be advisable, the counsellor can offer up to 16 sessions. But this will depend on the method of payment for sessions.
All our counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and follow its code of ethics.
All our counsellors receive external monthly supervision and/or group supervision from Carers in Bedfordshire.
We charge £25 per session although you may be able to pay for sessions through a Carers Grant
If you would like to explore this further then contact our counselling co-ordinator on 0300 111 1919 or email counselling@carersinbeds.org.uk
Get in touch with our Wellbeing Practitioner
Carers Grant