Counselling Psychology Services refer to a branch of applied psychology focused on supporting individuals with emotional, psychological, and behavioural difficulties through talking therapies. This service is delivered by a Counselling Psychologist with four years of clinical experience in therapeutic settings. Counselling Psychologists are professionals trained in both psychological theory and therapeutic practice, and often work across healthcare services, private practice, and educational institutions
Key Features
- Integrative Approach: Counselling psychologists draw on a range of psychological theories and evidence-based therapeutic models, including Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), tailoring their approach to suit individual needs.
- Client-Centred: Emphasis is placed on building a collaborative, trusting therapeutic relationship where the client feels heard, respected, and empowered to explore their difficulties.
Focus Areas:
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- Low mood or depression
- Anxiety, including panic attacks, social anxiety, and health anxiety
- Stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Difficulties with emotional regulation
- Life transitions and adjustment challenges
- LGBTQIA+ related concerns, including identity exploration, coming out, relationship difficulties, minority stress, and gender affirmation-related experiences
- ADHD-related challenges, including difficulties with attention, organisation, procrastination, time management, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and daily functioning
- Evidence-Based Practice: Counselling psychologists critically evaluate psychological research and apply interventions that are supported by evidence, while considering each individual’s values, preferences, and context.
- Ethical and Reflective Practice: Services are delivered in line with strict ethical guidelines, with a strong focus on confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity. Practitioners engage in regular professional development and clinical supervision.
Therapeutic Outcomes and Values
- Promote behaviour change and improve overall health outcomes through a person-centred process that supports individuals in developing and achieving self-determined health goals.
- Address problematic behaviours, thoughts, and emotions by exploring their unconscious meanings and underlying motivations.
- Support clients in identifying internal strengths and external resources, encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes and self-management strategies.
- Listen with empathy and compassion, validating emotions and exploring how these can be harnessed to enhance motivation and wellbeing.
- Maintain a respectful, non-judgmental stance, empowering individuals to take ownership of their health and make meaningful changes.
- Recognise and honour each person’s capacity for growth and change, respecting their role as the expert in their own life.
- Focus on what matters most to the individual in the present moment, supporting priorities that are important to the person, not just what is perceived to be wrong with them.
Service statistics
Usually replies in
3 days
69%
of referrals accepted
Categories:
Mental health
Service access criteria:
- Available to individuals aged 15 and above.
- Individuals who are willing and able to engage in an initial assessment and, where appropriate, a time-limited course of therapy, typically consisting of 6 to 12 sessions depending on clinical need and service capacity.
- Individuals experiencing mild to moderate psychological difficulties that can be safely and effectively managed within a primary care setting, including:
- Low mood or depression
- Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety, and specific phobias
- Stress-related difficulties and mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Difficulties with emotional regulation
- Adjustment difficulties, life transitions, and relationship challenges
- LGBTQIA+ related concerns, including identity exploration, coming out, relationship difficulties, minority stress, and gender affirmation-related experiences
- ADHD-related difficulties, including challenges with attention, organisation, procrastination, time management, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and day-to-day functioning
Exclusion Criteria:
This service may not be appropriate for individuals experiencing:
- Crisis presentations: If there is immediate or very urgent risk, the person should be directed to the Single Point of Access (SPA) or local crisis services.
- Primary eating disorders: Individuals whose main difficulty is an eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or ARFID) should be referred to specialist eating disorder services.
- Severe or complex mental illness: Conditions that require specialist secondary care or longer-term, multidisciplinary input are not suitable for this pathway.
- Psychosis: Suspected or confirmed presentation of psychosis should be referred to Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIS) or secondary mental health services.
- Primary substance misuse: Where substance use is the main difficulty and there is no co-occurring severe mental illness, referral should be made to specialist substance misuse services.
- Older adults and dementia-related presentations: Individuals with suspected dementia, significant frailty, complex physical health comorbidities affecting engagement, or psychological difficulties related to later life should be referred to Older Adult or Memory Services where appropriate.
Additional needs catered for:
Vision impairment friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Physical disability friendly
Non English speaking friendly
Waiting list (weeks):
16
Mental Health, Counselling, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Therapy, Wellbeing Coach